Publication of 2024 Sustainability Report
Central Asia Metals published 2024 Sustainability Report with new performance targets for health, environment and community impact.
- Group LTIFR achieved 2024 0.77
- Scope 1 & 2 GHG emissions reduction since 2020 44%
- Community investment in 2024 $0.7 million
- Total taxes contributed since 2012 $392 million
- Solar Power Plant generation at Kounrad approximately 14% of electricity needs
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Central Asia Metals plc (AIM: CAML) is pleased to announce the publication of its 2024 Sustainability Report, alongside a series of supporting factsheets to follow. These materials outline in detail the Group's sustainability strategy and performance for the year ended 31 December 2024, including at the Kounrad copper operation in Kazakhstan and the Sasa zinc-lead mine in North Macedonia. The report is available to view on the Company's website.
This marks CAML's sixth standalone Sustainability Report, and it has been prepared:
- in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards
- in alignment with information covering Taskforce for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) expectations
- mapped to Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
- containing details on CAML's Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) conformance.
The report outlines CAML's responsible business approach, focusing on maintaining safe, healthy operations and minimising environmental and social impacts. It also highlights the Group's transparent reporting and continuous improvement across key sustainability areas.
As part of its long-term commitment to sustainability, CAML has set a number of performance targets, which the Company will report against in next year's Sustainability Report. These are outlined in the 2024 report, with further targets to be added in future as appropriate.
2025 Sustainability Targets
| Maintaining health and safety | ‒ Zero fatalities ‒ Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) target for 2024 below 1.13 |
| Valuing our people | ‒ Zero days lost to labour unrest ‒ Maintain 99% local employment across both operations |
| Caring for the environment | ‒ Zero severe or major environmental incidents ‒ 50% reduction in the Group's Scope 1 & 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050 ‒ 75% reduction in surface-water abstraction at Sasa by end-2026 (vs. 2020) ‒ 70% of tailings to be stored in a more environmentally responsible manner (paste-backfill and dry-stack tailings) by end of 2026 |
| Creating value for our communities | ‒ Zero severe or major community-related incidents ‒ Maintain the level of community support to an annualised average of 0.5% of Group revenue ‒ Work with local community leaders to develop long-term, sustainable development plans, unrelated to our operations, for the communities in which we operate |
| Ensuring ethical business | ‒ Zero human rights abuses ‒ Zero reported cases of bribery and corruption |
Gavin Ferrar, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"2024 was a year of continued strong performance and meaningful progress for CAML, as we delivered value for all our stakeholders - including employees, local communities, governments, suppliers and shareholders - while navigating operational changes at Sasa and advancing our goals in each of our five sustainability pillars.
"We conducted our second double materiality assessment to ensure we are focusing on the sustainability topics most relevant to our business. The process included internal reviews, stakeholder engagement and data analysis, considering both the Group's impact on people and the environment, as well as how sustainability-related risks and opportunities could affect business and financial performance.
"During a key year of transition to a new mining method at Sasa, health and safety remained our top priority. We achieved a Group Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) of 0.77, well below our target and underscoring our ongoing commitment to safe, profitable production. We also laid the foundation for a Group-wide Safety Culture Strategy following a comprehensive internal review.
"To support this transition, we facilitated site visits to leading global mining operations, promoting knowledge-sharing and the adoption of best practices. More broadly, we invested in our people through training, mentoring, sponsorship, education outreach and succession planning initiatives to ensure a resilient and skilled workforce for the future.
"We continued to deliver on our climate strategy, achieving a 44% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since our 2020 baseline, keeping us on track for a 50% reduction by 2030. In Kazakhstan, our Solar Power Plant completed its first full year of operation, generating approximately 14% of Kounrad's electricity needs.
"We were proud to achieve conformance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) at Sasa, following a three-year implementation programme. This achievement reflects our commitment to global best practices in tailings management. We made strong progress in responsible tailings management, with one third of our mineral waste stored underground during the year - a key milestone on our path to storing 70% of tailings in a more environmentally responsible way by 2026. This method enhances safety, reduces surface waste, and conserves water.
"We continued to contribute 0.5% of Group revenue to our foundations for community support and, in 2024, we invested $0.7 million in community projects. At Sasa, we launched an 'acceleration programme' to promote local sustainable development and entrepreneurship. In Kazakhstan, our STEAM education initiative is helping to build future skills and knowledge. The first phase involved training 69 teachers from 16 schools and conducting an audit of school STEAM classes to assess equipment, resources and to identify gaps in teacher capacity.
"Since commencing operations at Kounrad in 2012 and acquiring Sasa in 2017, we have contributed over $392 million in taxes across Kazakhstan and North Macedonia. These contributions, alongside our local employment and procurement efforts, create lasting value in the regions where we operate. We also strengthened our corporate governance and ethics framework in 2024, undertaking a comprehensive policy review and conducting a human rights impact assessment to ensure we remain aligned with evolving global standards and stakeholder expectations.
"In 2024, we remained true to our purpose - to produce base metals essential for modern living in a safe, sustainable and responsible way. We are proud of the progress we have made, and we remain committed to further enhancing our sustainability performance in the years ahead. As always, we welcome feedback from our stakeholders."
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