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Environment

We are committed to protecting natural resources including water, biodiversity, air and surrounding ecosystems.

 

We work hard to be responsible stewards of the environment and aim to safely manage tailings, reduce waste, rehabilitate land disturbed by our activities and leave a positive legacy in host communities.

Our approach

Our approach to environmental management is guided by the ICMM Mining Principles and the associated ICMM Position Statements. Our commitment to environmental management is supported by our Board-approved Sustainability Policy and managed through our internal standards. 

Our internal environment and climate change standard applies to all South32 employees, contractors and visitors, across our operations, functions, projects and exploration activities where we have operational control. Our systems and internal standards are regularly reviewed to ensure they reflect current legal requirements and industry guidelines.

Our internal environmental standard requires that processes are in place to enable continuous improvement relevant to environmental performance, at both the Group and the operational level, including key environmental performance targets and objectives. It also requires that processes to track and monitor progress against the agreed plans are in place. Our environmental management is supported by EQuIS, a global environmental data management system that enables data recording and information sharing across the business. Our environment-related data and management systems are subject to both internal and external assurance processes. These processes assist us to evaluate the efficacy of our management approach and we use findings to continuously improve.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

We recognise the importance of protecting biodiversity and ecosystem services and aim to achieve no net loss for all new projects and major expansions.

It is our responsibility to minimise the impacts to the environment and to rehabilitate land disturbed by our activities.

Water

Water

Water is a valuable resource that we share and is critical to the sustainability of communities, the environment and our business. In many of the areas where we operate, water is scarce, and we manage risks associated with water security and access for our operations and communities.

We are taking near and long-term action to minimise and, where possible, avoid any negative impacts on water availability and quality for the future of our business, local communities, and the environment. 

Tailings

Tailings

The safe management of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) is essential to protect the environment and surrounding communities. We are committed to implementing the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) at all South32 operated TSFs. 

Waste, contamination and other emissions

Waste, contamination and other emissions

We are committed to reducing waste generated from our operations and managing contamination and other air emissions to minimise any impact on neighbouring communities and the environment. The safe management of waste and other emissions from our operations and projects, including managing contamination risks, is essential to operating responsibly.

Closure

Cannington site

Closure

From exploration through to closure and beyond, we seek to minimise our impacts and maximise opportunities for the surrounding environments. We undertake progressive rehabilitation where possible and aim to leave a positive legacy in our host communities.

Key documents

Our stories

IMC and Symbio Wildlife Park launch koala conservation partnership

IMC and Symbio Wildlife Park launch koala conservation partnership

Illawarra Metallurgical Coal (IMC) and Symbio Wildlife Park have launched a new three-year partnership to help support koala conservation in the Illawarra and Macarthur regions of New South Wales.

Cannington partnership a win for local biodiversity

Cannington partnership a win for local biodiversity

Our Cannington operation in Australia is partnering with Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management (NRM) to prevent invasive weeds from impacting grazing land in North West Queensland. 

Championing biodiversity at Cerro Matoso

Championing biodiversity at Cerro Matoso

To protect and maintain the diverse bird populations, Cerro Matoso plants thousands of native trees every year. 

Read the full story on page 70 below.