» WATER

Water, a strategic input for our mining and metallurgical processes, is managed responsibly and sustainably at Grupo México, reassuring stakeholders of our commitment to environmental stewardship.

We utilize advanced technologies to significantly reduce water consumption in our operations and maximize its recirculation.

We develop wastewater treatment systems throughout our operations and actively participate in drought forecasting projects and water studies in Peru.

We have made substantial investments of over USD 145 million in water infrastructure in the communities near our operations since 2014.

We collaborate with other players to manage basins near our operations, optimizing the use of water resources for the common good.

KNOW

OUR PRIORITY
AREAS

WATER

Grupo México is committed to being strategically mindful of the water resources at our operations, for the wellbeing of our communities and for biodiversity conservation.

Our water care includes activities throughout the lifecycle of our projects and productive chain, how we use this resource and the quality of the water we return to the environment.

Our water management is built on 4 pillars:

Protect the quality of the water we return to the environment

Improve efficiency in our water usage

Collaborate with other stakeholders in the management of the watersheds where we work

Manage the risks associated with water management at our operations

For more information, see Management Approach

OUR COMMITMENTS:

Protect the quality and availability of water in the watersheds where we operate.
Invest in infrastructure and technology to reduce our usage of freshwater and improve our water efficiency.
Collaborate with other stakehokders in the management of the watersheds where we work.

Comply with all water management and usage-related regulations, as well as monitoring and reporting.
Manage the risks associated with water management at our operations, systematically monitoring and testing the availability and quality of the resource in the watersheds and also the ground and/or surface water sources.

Highlights

We reused 73% of the water consumed at our Americas Mining Corporation operations in 2023.

145.9

US$ billion

invested in works and projects to improve the quality and volume of water for human consumption and productive activities in our neighbor communities, since 2014.

We received a B rating from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) for our performance in Water Security.

of our operations report zero wastewater discharges.

Related policies and codes

Our management in relation to this area is guided by:

Sustainable Water Management Protocol

Download

General Policy for Sustainable Development

Download

Environmental Policy

Download

Human Rights Policy Statement

Download

Code of Ethics and Company Behaviour

Download

Community Development Policy

Download

Load all

For further information, please refer to the ESG Policies section.

MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Mining

Organizational Management

Our water management focuses on four pillars:

Protect the quality of the water we return to the environment.

Accredited labs systematically monitor and test the quality of the water at all our operations.
We have installed water treatment systems for both our operations and for the neighborhoods where our employees live.
Proper mine waste management to protect the quality of the water in the watersheds where we operate.
We manage risks efficiently and proactively to prevent incidents and the release of leaching solutions that could affect natural waterbodies.

Improve efficiency in our water usage.

We optimize our water usage thanks to high-tech devices and innovative systems, reducing our water consumption and increasing recirculation, prioritizing the productive processes that consume the most water. One example is the Toquepala expansion in Peru, where we doubled production without increasing the amount of freshwater used.
We guarantee continuity in the availability of water in the aquifers and ground and/or surface water sources on which our operations depend.

Collaborate with other stakeholders in the management of the watersheds where we work.

We protect the availability and quality of the water in the places where we operate, collaborating with the community on the efficient use of this resource.
We seek solutions to water-related issues to achieve results that are socially equitable, environmentally sustainable, economically efficient and politically viable.
We support conducting studies and technical assistance, investments in irrigation infrastructure and projects to optimize the potential of the watersheds we share.

Manage the risks associated with water management at our operations.

Most of our tailings dams are constructed to the downstream method, using loan materials, considering return periods of 10,000 years, overflow canals, rainwater diversions and contingency systems.
We develop water harvesting programs to reduce soil erosion and evapotranspiration and improve water capturing.

Corporate goals & targets

Water related corporate goals

The goal has been met

In progress

Slight deviation from course

The goal has not been met

2022

Update the water baseline analysis for all Mining Division operations.

Systematically monitor operations and impacts on the watersheds and water tables in high water stress zones that supply the operations of the Mining Division.

Prepare a gap analysis in terms of ICMM good practices for water management at all our operations.

2028

Contribute to recharging water tables in the river basins and watersheds where our operations are located, through works and reforestation (at least 740 million gallons (2.8 million m3)).

Active participation in the governance of the river basins and watersheds where we operate.

Detailed monitoring of the conditions at priority watersheds where we operate.

2030

Detailed water balances for each site, updated annually.

Reduce freshwater consumption per production unit by 5%, compared with 2022.

83% reuse of process water.

10% treated wastewater used in our operations, total freshwater consumption.

Follow our annual progress in Corporate Sustainable Goals.

Key indicators

Management

Recirculated water

73%

of the water we consume is recirculated.

Water intensity

160 gallons

(607 liters) of freshwater per ton of crushed ore.

Water harvesting

819,900

cubic yards (626,859 cubic meters) of water harvested

Roles & Responsibilities

The organizational supervision of water management is structured as follows:

Strategy and compliance

Operational supervision

Responsible coexistence

Executive Leadership /

Board of Directors

Evaluates performance and progress on the corporate goals, targets and indicators, and investment projects related to water. Identifies areas of opportunity, needs, risks and potential synergies.
- Audit
  
  Committee
  
  Mechanism developed for the Board to monitor and promptly follow up on the management of our environmental, social and governance-related risks.
  - Sustainable Development Committee
    
    Reviews the strategy, performance and principal improvement projects. Submits recommendations to the Board of Directors.
    - Sustainable Development Department
      
      Leads the design and implementation of projects, initiatives and actions, in close collaboration with the other divisions and relevant areas of the company.
      - Community Development Department
        
        Participates in the collaboration with other stakeholders in the management of the watersheds to manage and develop water resources in a balanced and sustainable manner.
    - Operations
      
      Department
      
      Participates in the Sustainable Development Committee; responsible for the efficient use of water and for ensuring our discharges are below regulatory levels.
      - Business
        
        units
        
        Each unit or operation is responsible for its own water management, which is supervised by the Head of each operation.
    - Engineering and
      
      Construction Department
      
      Develops systems to manage water resources safely and efficiently at all our operations.
    - Water Management
      
      Office
      
      Ensures compliance is met with applicable regulations; monitors the efficient management and ongoing improvement of our processes.

Evaluation

Find more information about our 2023 sustainability actions related to water and effluents. Our water management ensures compliance with the regulatory framework regarding extraction and discharge in all countries where we have operations, and includes:

Compliance

Responsible management

Continuous monitoring

Risk mitigation

Continuous improvement

Compliance

Prompt payment of water costs.

Responsible management

Proper management of our ground and/or surface water withdrawal and usage licenses, rights and permits.

Continuous monitoring

Quality monitoring measures for wastewaters and, where necessary, implementation of treatment systems.

Risk mitigation

Monitoring of the water systems at our operations in terms of water availability, volume and quality to understand the performance of these systems and to identify and mitigate risks.

Continuous improvement

Incorporate international good practices, like the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Water Stewardship Framework.

The minimum standards for water returned to the environment are set out in the federal regulations of each country where we operate:

MEXICO

PERU

UNITED STATES

Official Mexican Standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996-001

Environmental Quality Standards for water and the Maximum Permissible Limits, established in Law No. 28611 – General Environmental Law
Our operations have been working with a Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) accredited Environmental Lab since 2001

Section 304 (A) of the Clean Water Act
EPA 40 CFR Part 440
EPA 40 CFR Part 440.100
Aquifer Protection Permit – APP (AAC-R18-9-Article 2)

Contemporary

Great Stories

Mobile Documentary Filmmaking Workshop

Public reports

Public Report: GM Schools

We operate 11 company-sponsored schools, providing spaces for the comprehensive development of our employees and their families, in addition to improving the level of education in these communities. Located in Mexico and Peru, these schools offer preschool, elementary and middle school education.

Public reports

Public Report: Emissions intensity targets for Grupo México’s operations

We provide an overview of our operational emissions and copper equivalent intensities from 2022 onwards.

Great Stories

Mexican Gray Wolf

Introduction The wolf plays a key role in the biomes it inhabits. By limiting the behavior and overgrazing of its prey, these habitats increase their richness and diversity. Ecosystems tend to self-regulate once the wolf populations are of a sufficient size. Wolves were once the most widely distributed land mammal in the northern hemisphere. They […]

Public reports

Public Report: 2023 Sustainability Actions – Cibersecurity

At Grupo México, we have a General Policy of Information Security that standardizes expectations in this area with an institutional approach. Additionally, each of our divisions has its own information security policy, which has been published and disseminated internally to all personnel through their respective intranet portals and institutional email campaigns.

Announcements

They recognize Grupo México’s social practices for its commitment to communities.

Grupo México received the ‘Exceptional Companies’ recognition, awarded by the Coordinating Business Council, the Institute for Quality Promotion, and the Communication Council, for maintaining social practices that address the needs of the communities where it operates. According to the jury that, from a social perspective, evaluated the 137 submissions from companies across various industrial sectors […]