Our ESG Approach
Our approach to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues begins with our daily actions and ends with the ongoing benefits to a global community from clean energy, which we are helping deliver through material from our operation.
“Key ESG performance criteria are made a core part of the company’s own management systems in order to align with the reference points of the IFC Performance Standards for managing environmental and social risks.”
Luciano Borges
We plan to materially mitigate the impacts of our activities both at our operation and beyond to safeguard our natural environment and local communities.
As a natural resource company which is striving for a responsible operation, we are taking steps to carefully evaluate the risks and opportunities of the project to deliver on best management practices that make a positive impact on the environment and society.
Our approach envisages not only the integration ofESG factors into our business from the beginning of operations, but also seeks to adhere to international standards as part of a continuing journey towards improvement.
ESG characteristics of our operation:
Our project will have a relatively low environmental impact given extraction is via a simple open pit quarry process producing no toxic chemicals, and the use of a dry stack tailings facility to manage waste material. As such, our operation is designed to avoid many of the risks commonly associated with other types of mining operations.
The Serra Verde deposit is one of the most advanced western-world projects to produce strategic high-value REEs similar to those found in China, which currently controls the majority of global refined rare earths production.
The operation does not require explosives, crushing or milling and is expected to source a significant portion of its power from renewable hydro generation sources.
Our ESG resources:
ESG team:
ESG team: We are expanding our ESG capabilities and are continually looking to significantly strengthen our capacity with each new development phase by recruiting experienced people who report directly to the Chief Compliance Officer and Executive VP.
Permits, policies and reporting:
All necessary environmental licenses to construct the project have been granted following an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment completed in compliance with the requirements of the Secretary of State (State of Goias) for the Environment and Sustainable Development (SEMAD).
Thirty four Environmental and Social Management Plans covering areas including biodiversity have been approved.
We file an RDA Environment Performance Report to SEMAD annually.
