Case Study:

Zinc International

Sustainability in New Project Management – Gamsberg, South Africa

Sustainability in Mine Closure – Lisheen, Ireland

1 July 2015

Deshnee Naidoo

CEO, Zinc International

Introduction - Zinc International

P

C

P

P

• Black Mountain Mine is an underground operation, mining zinc, lead, silver and copper deposit

• 1.7Mt ore hoisted per annum with production capacity of 90ktpa metal in concentrate (“MIC”)

• Workforce of 1300 including contractors (80% of the employees are local)

• 26% owned by Exxaro Resources

• Gamsberg Project - R&R of 214mt with potential production capacity of up to 400ktpa MIC

South Africa

Namibia

• Open pit zinc mine and refinery

• Largest integrated zinc operation in Africa

• Refinery capacity of 150 ktpa Special High Grade (“SHG”) zinc

• Workforce of 1500 (including contractors)

• Gergarub Project - R&R of 18.08 MT at 8.68% Zn, 2.37% Pb and 40g/t Ag

Skorpion Zinc Mine Skorpion Zinc Refinery

Black Mountain Mine

P

Zinc/Lead /Silver Mine

Zinc/Lead/Silver Project

C Corporate presence

Cape Town

Johannesburg

Windhoek

C

Botswana

• Zinc International comprises the assets acquired by Vedanta in 2010

• Black Mountain Mine (“BMM”)

• The Lisheen Mine (“Lisheen”); and

• Skorpion Zinc Mine & Refinery (“Skorpion”)

• Upon acquisition Vedanta committed to:

– Job preservation and creation

– Extension of the life of mine of each operation through exploration

– Substantial investments in exploration

– Commence the development of Gamsberg within five years

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• The Lisheen Mine is the second-largest zinc mine in Europe

• Underground operation with an average mining depth of 170 m, accessed via a

1.5 km decline

• 1.6 Mtpa capacity concentrator

• Produces 165,000 MT of Zinc MIC & 22,000 MT of Lead MIC

– Strong safety and environmental culture

– Highly skilled experienced workforce

– High level of mining technical expertise

– Solid financial performance over life of mine

• Positive industrial relations/good employee engagement

P

Zinc/Lead /Silver Mine

Zinc/Lead/Silver Project

C Corporate presence

C

Ireland

The Lisheen Mine

Introduction - Zinc International (cont.)

• Lisheen Mine was granted planning permission in 1997

• First mine in Ireland to be granted an Integrated Pollution Control Licence (“IPCL”) by the Irish EPA

• Top 15 zinc mine producer in the world in 2012 per Brook Hunt

Ore resources are now depleted and Lisheen will cease production in September 2015, however Vedanta will continue to explore for zinc in Ireland

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Gamsberg Project Overview

One of the largest zinc deposits in the world

• Sediment-hosted base metal deposit hosted by

iron sulphide-rich pelitic rocks and iron

formation

• Deposit is wholly contained within a steep-sided

inselberg (isolated hill or mountain)

• Inselberg rises 250m above the general level of

the Bushmanland plain

– Elongated in the East-West direction, with a

maximum length of 7.2km and a maximum

width of 4.6km

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Paradise toad Endemic Succulent Species

• 35 Global biodiversity

hotspots (Conservation

International, 2005)

– 2.3% of Earth’s land

surface, but supports

more than half of the

world’s endemic flora

and nearly 43% of

endemic fauna

– Gamsberg within

Bushmanland Centre

of Endemism – rocky

inselberg succulents

(~397 succulent

species; 16 endemic;

4 restricted)

Sustainable development challenge for Vedanta was how to develop this exciting project and protect & preserve this unique ecosystem

Sustainability in New Project Management (I) – Compliance & Beyond

• Integrated Environmental and Social Impact assessment

(“ESIA”) as per IFC Performance standards

• Public consultation and stakeholder engagement right from

planning stage and at each stage of ESIA

– Regulatory authorities, municipalities, NGOs

– Local farmers, communities and employees

• Vedanta upfront commitment for ‘No Net Loss’ biodiversity

project

– Offsetting of residual impacts

• Robust Environmental Management Programme (“EMPr”) and

Biodiversity Action Plan (“BAP”)

• Agreement with local farmers and nearby property owners on

monitoring and reporting of environmental parameters

• Developed conceptual closure plan upfront to deliver concurrent

rehabilitation

Legislation Department Approval

Minerals & Petroleum resources Act

Department of Mineral

Resources (DMR)

Amendment of Environmental ManagementProgram Report

Mine Works Programme and Closure plan

Social and Labour Plan Amendment

National Environmental Management Act

Department of Environment &

Nature Conservation

(DENC)

Environmental Authorisation for Mine and associated infrastructure (EA)

National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act

Threatened or Protected Species Regulation 23

National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act

Air Emission License (AEL)

National Water ActDepartment of Water Affairs

(DWA)Section 21 water use licence

National Environmental Waste Act

Department of Environment Affairs (DEA)

Section 20 (b) Waste management licence for both Hazardous and Non-Hazardous Waste (Waste License)

Our aim is to go beyond regulatory compliance

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Sustainability in New Project Management (II) - Environmental Impact Mitigation

Signing of Biodiversity Offset Agreement - the first of its kind in South Africa

AVOID

MINIMISE

REMEDY

OFFSET

• Alternative Location & Design of Infrastructure

– Pit design – set back zone from ecologically sensitive area

– Moved waste dump locations to avoid sensitive flora

– Adjusted siting of processing facilities & access roads

• Fencing, demarcation and access control of sensitive areas

• High Density Polyethylene (“HDPE”) lining of tailing dam

• Separate different types of waste rock (based on leachability

characteristics)

• Translocation of sensitive species to be utilised for concurrent

rehabilitation of Gamsberg

– Approximately 15 000 plants species (supervision by expert

horticulturalist and regional botanical specialist)

– Continuous health monitoring of plants to avoid stress and

mortality

• ‘No Net Loss’ objective for residual impacts

• Identification & securing properties nearby with similar biodiversity

features

– Approx. 40000 Ha identified as a potential offset

• Management of offset properties

• IUCN - Independent Review Panel to monitor progressTranslocation of sensitive species to Aggeneys nursery

OFFSET

INCLUDED IN DESIGN

WIP

WIP

IMPLEMENTED

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Sustainability in New Project Management (III) - Stakeholder Engagement

• Rigorous engagement process

to understand our

stakeholders’ needs

– Stakeholders were

engaged early and have

supported the project

– Stakeholders kept

involved, informed and

consulted as appropriate

Ongoing involvement

• Ensure needs and concerns are understood and considered

• Obtain feedback on alternatives

Close collaboration

• Decision making authority

• Partner with on each aspect of decision

• Input on design

Consult

• Obtain feedback on alternatives and/or decisions

Inform

• Provide balanced and objective information

Level of interest

Level

of

infl

uen

ce

• NGO’s

• Community-based organisations

• Employees

• Surrounding Communities

• Local Municipalities

• National offices: DMR, DENC, DEA, DWA

• Minority shareholders - Exxaro

• Provincial offices: DMR, DENC, DEA, DWA

• Internal stakeholders: Board of Directors, Executive

Committees, Shareholders

Stakeholder engagement approach

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Lisheen – People, Environment and Sustainable Operations

• EIA: Lisheen Mine began in the mid 1990s. EIA was undertaken to asses the potential impact on all aspects;

from the environment to the local community, along with extensive archaeological investigation

• Regulatory Permit: Lisheen Mine was granted planning permission in 1997. The first mine in Ireland to be

granted an Integrated Pollution Control Licence (IPCL) by the Irish EPA

• Early Engagement: Local community was brought to visit other mines in Ireland where mining was carried

out professionally without any negative impact

• Community:

– Commitment given to source employees from the local community and over the life of the mine (LOM): 70-

80% of employees from 25 mile radius

– Local Community Forum set up in Dec 2007 and meets on a quarterly basis

• Forum made up of various representatives from the local communities of Moyne and Templetuohy

and addresses issues associated with mining e.g. TMF, Closure, Water, Post Closure activities etc.

• Many major CSR projects developed locally since commencement of Forum

• Local representatives co-opted on to Lisheen Closure Committee

• Positive engagement with open and transparent discussions at each session

• People Management: Zero strike days since beginning; very low staff turnover (10 year average is 4% )

• Water Management: The dewatering was a significant concern for the local community addressed by top

class water supply scheme

• Safety: We continue to strive towards Zero Harm

Sustainability in Mine Closure (I) Design for Closure

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Lisheen Mine was granted planning permission in 1996 and also became the first mine in Ireland to be granted an Integrated Pollution Control Licence

• Philosophy - ‘Before you commence you must plan for closure’

• Multidisciplinary team covering all the key aspects of closure from Environment, Employees, Social

Issues and Stakeholders Engagement

• Closure Plans were costed and financial provisions put in place early

– Initial Closure Restoration Aftercare Management Plan (“CRAMP”)

– Refined at 5 year intervals with the final plan being agreed within 5 years of closure

• Communication a critical element of the closure planning

– Lisheen meets quarterly with key regulator - Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)

– Meets every 2 months with Closure Sub Committee of Local Community Forum

– Has included closure in all communication with employees for the past 3+ years

– Invited all key stakeholders to site over two years ago (suppliers etc.) to explain our life of mine

• Where possible - progressive closure implemented to minimise the risk and the workload when the

operation ceases

Comprehensive Closure Plan document which has been regularly updated

Sustainability in Mine Closure (II) – Capping of Tailings Management Facility

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Strategy – Maintain phreatic water in rock cap to avoid oxidation of tails

• Tailings Management Facility (“TMF”) is the most significant post closure

risk and requires the maximum attention to ensure it is managed

correctly

• Strategy was to progressively rehabilitate composite engineered cap

ensures no upward migration of tails or risk of oxidation

– Extensive lab and field test work carried out to prove that the

proposed capping process was effective

– Approval from authorities was received following review of all test

work

– Limestone buffers against the risk of acid generation

• Placement of the cap is carried out under a strict Construction Quality

Assurance (CQA) process

• An comprehensive monitoring programme in place, including livestock

trials, to ensure there is no metal contamination

Successful livestock trials on rehabilitated areas of TMF

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2005 2009

20142017 ?

Sustainability in Mine Closure (II) – Capping of TMF: Progressive Rehabilitation

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• Outplacement Programme was developed by Lisheen to assist employees transition into their new

careers after the closure of Lisheen

• Stakeholder Engagement:

– Lisheen engaged with the unions and various external bodies in developing a detailed

programme

• Training:

– Self development reflection programme to assess one’s strengths, achievements, transferable

skills, lifestyle options and future opportunities

• In-House Support:

– CV preparation, job search and interview technique, computers and IT skills and start your

business

• Grants:

– Grant of €750 that could be used by employees for an external course of their choice

• Coaching:

– 14 internal coaches trained to provide one-on-one coaching to employees

Sustainability in Mine Closure (III) – Outplacement of Employees

To date 299 employees have attended some form of outplacement training since the programme started in December 2013

Conclusion – Beyond Closure

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Lisheen Mining Services

Green Energy Hub

• This is driven by the strong international demand for highly skilled and specialist workers in the underground

mining industry

• Lisheen has a rich resource of underground mining talent

• When the mine ceases production, a number of Lisheen ex-employees could be used initially in other Vedanta

operations

• There are also other consultancy and related opportunities for consideration

• Green Energy Hub attracting companies and agencies involved in energy conservation and recycling

• Concept aligned with Government strategy – specifically the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015

• Government support in the following areas would be beneficial in fully establishing the site and maximising its potential:

– Extend Employment & Investment Incentive Scheme (“EIIS”)

– Extend definition of Relevant Trading Activity to include Green Energy Generation

– Establishment of a State-owned R&D facility dedicated to technology innovation in the areas of bio-energy and

bio-refinery in line with new government’s Climate Change policy

• High level task force established to actively pursue commercial opportunities that would potentially offer viable, long term, sustainable employment

opportunities for ex-Lisheen employees and utilise existing site

• Two specific proposals have been identified at this point - further feasibility studies in progress

– “Green Energy Hub”

– Establishment of a Mining Services company based at Lisheen

Thank you