Environmental performance indicators have been selected based on the Group’s own appreciation of its business and a comparison with indicators used by other companies.

The environmental performance indicators provide a tool by which to assess the “environmental footprint” of the Group’s operations. Mining operations use significant quantities of water for ore processing and the Group has sought to ensure that the indicators will enable it to monitor its effectiveness in minimising water consumption through water recycling. The Group’s indicators of land disturbance and rehabilitation should enable it to monitor its progress in minimising the amount of land under active operation at any one time, and in the progressive rehabilitation of land that is no longer being used.

The consumption of energy and materials, and the discharge of waste products, are key impacts of mining operations and a comprehensive range of indicators has been introduced to monitor the Group’s performance. As electrical power for the Group’s operations is derived from nuclear and hydro power, the carbon emissions from the Group’s operations are limited to emissions from vehicles and mobile plant.