GENERAL POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Outlines our commitment to acting responsibly and with transparency in social, economic and environmental aspects as the core of our sustainability strategy.
Download
KNOWOUR PRIORITY
AREAS
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.
HIGHLIGHTS
73 %
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.
B
We received a B rating from the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) for our performance in Water Security.
79 %
of our operations report zero wastewater discharges.
Related policies and codes
Our management in relation to this area is guided by:
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Outlines our commitment to driving development that is respectful of the environment to benefit everyone, today and tomorrow.
HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY STATEMENT
Outlines our commitment to promoting respect for the human rights of all our stakeholders.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH POLICY
Outlines our commitment to fostering development and wellbeing in the communities where we operate.
AMC – SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL
Outlines our commitments to safeguarding water as an essential and strategic element in operations, for the wellbeing of the community and the conservation of biodiversity.
For further information, please refer to the ESG Policies section.
MANAGEMENT APPROACH
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
Metas corporativas relacionadas con Seguridad y Salud
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
607 gallons
(607 liters) of freshwater per ton of crushed ore.o
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
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.
Mechanism developed for the Board to monitor and promptly follow up on the management of our environmental, social and governance-related risks.
Reviews the strategy, performance and principal improvement projects. Submits recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Collaborates on projects related to improving efficient water management, in compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
Participates in the Sustainable Development Committee and is responsible for promoting the efficient use of water.
Develops systems to manage water resources safely and efficiently at all our operations.
Designs projects, initiatives, and actions to maximize production in compliance with applicable regulations.
Oversees efficient water management and promotes continuous improvement initiatives to reduce water consumption.
EVALUATION
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.
MÉXICO
- Official Mexican Standard NOM-001-SEMARNAT-1996-001
PERU
- 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
ESTADOS UNIDOS
- 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)
