Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG) Practices
Sustainable Development Report. This year, Grupo México will present edition N◦ 15 of the Sustainable Development Report, which contains disaggregated information from Southern Copper Corporation and reaffirms our commitment to transparency and on-going improvement. In 2022, we have placed particular importance on updating our strategy for climate change, which includes targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s report also provides information on our program and objectives with regard to promoting diversity and inclusion both inside the Company and within the communities close to our operations.
Sustainable Development Committee. In 2022, Southern Copper Corporation (SCC) set up a Sustainable Development Committee, which is presided by an Independent Director. This committee’s main objective is to support SCC’s Board of Directors in its endeavors to supervise management of risks and opportunities in the environmental, safety and health, community development, human rights, and corporate governance ambits. The committee meets every quarter and has assessed diverse aspects of the Company’s ESG trajectory, including adhesion to international agreements and management of water and mineral waste. The Sustainable Development Committee, in its third session, addressed climate change as well as diversity and inclusion and identified opportunities on the corporate governance front.
Third-party certification. In recognition of our commitment to implement best environmental, social and corporate governance practices, our Buenavista del Cobre mine, located in Sonora (Mexico), has obtained certification for three important ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards: ISO 9001 for quality management; ISO 14001 for environmental management; and ISO 45001 for occupational safety and health management. These certificates are further proof of our commitment to quality, the environment and the occupational safety and health of our employees.
Occupational Safety and Health. At Southern Copper Corporation (SCC), our employees’ safety is our priority. Our unit in Ilo, located in Moquegua, Peru, has earned first place in the Smelter and Refinery category of the XXVI National Competition for Mining Safety (Concurso Nacional de Seguridad Minera) organized by the Institute of Mining Safety (Instituto de Seguridad Minera). This distinction recognizes SCC’s performance with regard to indicators of our employees’ occupational safety and health and is a reflection of our on-going commitment to ensuring the sustainability of our operations.
Biodiversity. In March 2023, the Environmental Management Unit at Buenavista del Cobre obtained certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council in recognition of our contributions to efforts to prevent the extinction of the Mexican grey wolf. Thanks to these actions, populations of this species, which was on the brink of extinction in the wild, have multiplied in their natural habitat in Mexico. Going forward, we will continue to work side-by-side with society and authorities to serve the common good in the regions in which we operate.
Community Development. At SCC, we continue to strengthen our community development model and currently operate 29 community centers that provide services to 350 thousand people a year in Mexico and Peru. These efforts positively impact the quality of life of the residents in the communities where we work. Recently, we renovated two community centers (called Casa Grande) in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua and Charcas, San Luis Potosi. These facilities will serve an additional 21 thousand people, who will use these spaces to learn and develop bonds. Both centers are equipped with a library, recreational area, audiovisual room, computer centers, physical activation spaces, areas for temporary exhibits, and green spaces.
Diversity and Inclusion. At SCC, we are convinced that valuing diversity, preventing discrimination, and promoting openness to different ways of thinking are fundamental in all efforts to develop inclusive workplace environments that promote the integral development of our employees and stakeholders. We are committed to driving the agenda for diversity and inclusion transversally throughout the Company and in the communities around our operations. Our results in 2022 reflect the fruit of our efforts, with a 16% increase in the number of women employed by SCC.