The Board has a Health, Safety and Environment Committee which is responsible for setting standards, monitoring performance and providing guidance on health, safety and environment matters to operational management.  A Group HSE manager reports to the Committee.

The Board believes that a safe working environment will be more productive and profitable and that work related incidents are avoidable. 

The Board is committed to preventing accidents that represent a risk to people, the environment and Kazakhmys’ facilities. It believes all work-related accidents are preventable and that all employees have a responsibility to ensure this is achieved.

Since listing in 2005, a series of audits on safety issues has been carried out by internal and external specialists, leading to a series of programmes to improve safety practices.  This has included accidents related to falls of ground, falls from height, and accidents related to moving parts and electrical equipment.  Alongside this is a general training programme, including the construction of several training centres, to create a stronger 'safety first' working culture.

The cause of every fatal accident is investigated and reported to the GHSE Committee, and reviewed by the Fatal Accident Review Panel. Sadly, 32 employees lost their lives in 27 separate incidents at Kazakhmys operations in 2008 (2007: 23 fatalities), with the majority of these being due to falls from height, rock fall, electrocution, falling objects and moving machinery. In addition to complying with all local regulations the Board would like to move all operations to OHSAS 18001. LTIFR measurements are on a standard international basis.

All employees receive a medical on joining and regular health checks.  The Group runs extensive medical services, from on site medical rooms to sanatoriums.

Whilst acknowledging that mining by its nature impacts the environment, Kazakhmys aims to carry out its activities in an environmentally friendly manner, focusing on the responsible use and management of water, energy and waste, minimising air pollution and undertaking appropriate land rehabilitation. Through the implementation of an environmental policy which provides a framework for establishing effective management practices, Kazakhmys aims to minimise any adverse effects its activities may have on the environment.

Environmental actions and initiatives
During 2008 a number of actions and initiatives were undertaken across the Group to reduce our environmental impact, including:
• commissioning of the Balkhash sulphuric acid plant
• as part of the programme to develop a base line study and five-year environmental plan, environmental audits of all major sites in Kazakhstan were commenced in 2008

Our key environmental management actions for 2009 include:
• installation of the first of six electrostatic precipitators at the Ekibastuz power plant;
• preparation of a five-year environmental plan and base line study

The plan will be produced to international standards and will set out a number of environmental KPIs, enabling the Group to establish objectives and targets for meeting international standards for emissions and use of resources.