(Alliance News) - Antofagasta PLC on Monday said it has committed to the Copper Mark assurance framework, with its Centinela and Zaldivar projects in Chile being the first of its operations to commit.
FTSE 100 miner Antofagasta holds a 70% stake in Centinela and 50% stake in Zaldivar. Antofagasta explained that the Copper Mark was "established to demonstrate the copper industry's responsible production practices and the industry's contribution to the United Nations sustainable development goals".
In order to be granted the mark, producers have to comply with 32 criteria within two years of submitting a letter of commitment. The criteria relate to issues such as greenhouse gas emissions safety, biodiversity, tailings management, and human rights.
Once the Copper Mark has been granted, Antofagasta will be independently assessed every three years to show it has continued to comply with all 32 criteria.
Chief Executive Ivan Arriagada said: "We are starting this important process at Centinela and Zaldivar and will then extend it to the rest of our Mining operations. Application for the Copper Mark is a voluntary process that allows an external independent entity to review our sustainability practices and indicate our level of compliance and whether there are any aspects we must improve."
Shares in Antofagasta were up 3.0% at 1,159.50 pence in London on Monday morning.
By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com
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Antofagasta (ANTO)
