Sustainability
Copperstone's objective is to run a responsible mining operation with trustworthiness and transparency as guiding principles.
Annual report SWEWhen the Viscaria mine becomes operational, Copperstone’s main contribution will be to deliver responsibly produced copper – a key metal in society’s transition to renewable energy. We have identified the most important areas for Copperstone to work on, areas in which we have the greatest opportunity to make a difference as a company. Sustainability goals that help guide how the work is to be structured and monitored have been adopted for each focus area. The data collected and the resulting developments will be reported in the sustainability report in our annual report.
Future-proofed mining
Efficient water management and circular flows are important aspects in Copperstone’s work for sustainable mining operations. When we reopen a mine that was previously in operation, it means that we have the opportunity to clean up waterways polluted by previous activities. It also means that we need to claim a smaller amount of virgin land. Our ambitions are to extract a high rate of utilisation from all mined materials and to optimise the possibilities for reMining, i.e. to reap the benefit of metals in already mined ore.
Climate and energy
Copperstone will contribute to society’s transition to fossil-free electricity supply, thus helping to reduce global climate impact. Our greatest contribution to this goal is through the production of copper, which is a key component in this societal transition. Another important goal for us is to establish energy-efficient processes in our mining production, with the aim of using only electricity from fossil-free sources.
Promoting biodiversity
Copperstone can reduce its impact on wildlife and nature through ecological compensation and habitat restoration. This also increases the chances of survival for threatened species on the so-called red list. Indeed, Copperstone is already collecting relevant data in order to ensure that the habitats affected by mining are properly compensated or restored.
A fair employer for everyone
Copperstone’s employees are the company’s most important resource. That’s why it’s important for us to provide a safe, pleasant and stimulating workplace for everyone. A good working environment is one that minimises the risk of ill health and injuries and ensures that the company’s employees are happy and have the opportunity to develop. The working environment should be characterised by openness and all employees should be treated equally and with respect.
Contributing to local community development
Copperstone enjoys strong links with the city of Kiruna and its history. Many of the company’s employees have grown up here, and there is a naturally close connection to schools, businesses and the community at large. When the Viscaria mine becomes operational, it is expected to create around 250 jobs. The aim is that many future employees will also live in Kiruna. It is therefore important for us to contribute to the local community and its further development.
Sustainable business operations
One precondition of Copperstone’s continued development is that we run a financially sustainable business. We view the task of managing the company’s assets, taking into account financial, environmental and social values, with all humility.
Ethical business
Copperstone’s code of conduct is based on the UN Global Compact’s principles on human rights, anti-corruption, environment and labour and employment conditions. This means that we work to ensure that our operations and business partners comply with the principles and actively work to uphold them.
Bottom-up model calculates carbon emissions
Copperstone will carry out trustworthy sustainability work that is based on well-founded knowledge and data. One stage of the data collection has been to develop a bottom-up model to identify and quantify the future carbon emissions of the Viscaria mine. The calculations from the model show that Viscaria could become one of the lowest-emission mines in the world, provided that mining operations use high-tech vehicles and fossil-free energy sources. The model includes Scopes 1 and 2, which account for direct emissions from production (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from operations, such as ventilation and electricity consumption (Scope 2). The calculations show that Copperstone has a solid foundation and good prospects of joining the top 5 per cent of the world’s most carbon-efficient mines.
Stakeholder dialogue and business
intelligence analysis
Copperstone’s sustainability work should be known for its trustworthiness, legitimacy and relevance; therefore dialogue with our stakeholders is important. We actively engage with both internal and external stakeholders on key sustainability issues. Dialogues with the different stakeholder groups are maintained through day-to-day operations, board meetings and investor days, participation in trade fairs, through consultations and through various local community commitments. The stakeholder dialogue and environment analysis is an important part of the development of the company’s sustainability work and shows how we meet expectations in a relevant and effective way through our focus areas.
More about our stakeholder dialogue