Environmental Responsibility
Petropavlovsk is committed to effectively managing environmental issues, upholding the highest standards as required by Russian law, and through operating in line with international best practice.
Petropavlovsk recognises that activities undertaken during the life cycle of our mines will impact on the environment and prioritises measures which mitigate and reduce this impact. The Group’s Environmental Management systems are certified in line with GOST R ISO 14001- 2016 (ISO 14001:2015 which certifies Environmental Management systems). Environmental data is regularly disclosed to the environmental authorities and local residents.
Water management
Water consumption at the Group’s operations is carried out in strict accordance with the usage quotas detailed in our licence. A zero-discharge water recycling supply system is in place at each of the Group companies which has led to a significant reduction of the amount of water extracted from local sources. The quality of surface and ground waters is monitored and the analysis of water samples is recorded in the state register. At the end of each year, a report is prepared and submitted to all relevant state bodies.
Waste Мanagement
The Group implements strict control and a gradual reduction in the use and formation of hazardous chemicals in basic and auxiliary processes. Waste management programmes are agreed with the regulatory authorities in compliance with Russian legislation. These programmes detail standards and limits on what can be disposed or produced. Data on waste is collected, logged and sent to regulatory authorities for review.
Air Quality
Petropavlovsk uses purification systems, anti-dust equipment and other protective facilities to prevent harmful substances entering the atmosphere. Gas purification equipment is fitted at all emission points and monitored on a regular basis. Air quality monitoring includes carbon monoxide and dust emissions which is performed according to mining and environmental monitoring programmes agreed in advance with federal authorities.
Energy Consumption and Climate Change
Petropavlovsk manages the use of energy at its facilities through the use of modern mining equipment, including CAT 330C electric mining excavators. Optimal control schemes enable rock mass management to prevent multiple movements of the same material. Blasting and crushing is monitored to obtain optimum coarseness for the material sent to the processing plants. The use of grinding technologies and mills with a light rubber lining also contributes to energy savings.
The Group recognises the importance of addressing climate change and is aspiring to review the risk climate change poses to its operations.
Protecting Biodiversity
The Group strives to minimise any impact on biodiversity by ensuring that wildlife and local habitats are protected through all stages of mine life.
Monitoring a mine’s potential impact on biodiversity begins before the mine is operational. As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment preparation, the Group outlines how the mine could impact biodiversity and the measures it intends to limit this.
In 2017, the Group took part in an environmental campaign to stock Zeya River with carp hatchlings and became the leader among 50 companies in the Amur region in terms of the number of hatchlings released. The contribution of Petropavlovsk amounted to 46,700 hatchlings worth more than RUB1.5 million. The campaign was supervised by a regional governmental agency and conducted in accordance with the requirements of environmental law of Russian Federation. In 2019 more than 88,000 hatchlings were released into the waters of the Zeya River.
Large parts of the Amur region are wooded and forest fires can spread quickly with potentially devastating effects on wildlife and local communities if not managed adequately. Each of our mines has a dedicated fire brigade with specially trained fire fighters who are on duty 24/7. Fire safety briefings and drills are run regularly. Fires often occur in the local forests and the fire teams assist in fighting these as well as helping local villages to fight house fires.
Rehabilitation
It is the Group’s intention to ensure that after decommissioning the landscape will be restored as far as possible to its original state. All operating mines are subject to an ongoing rehabilitation programme which is compliant with regulatory requirements. Closure plans are prepared as a part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and updated as the mines approach the end of their operating lives.
Our Policies
The main objectives of the Group’s Environmental Policies are to control operations in accordance with the requirements of the Russian legislation and in line with the best practices. The policies serve as guidelines for the precautionary approach to environmental challenges adopted by the company.
The entire workforce is encouraged to participate in industrial and environmental safety, and resource-saving activities and appropriate incentive measures are implemented to reward compliance.
Please click below to read our policies.