METALLURGY ACTIVITIES THE FORREST GROUP'S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES

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1 METALLURGY ACTIVITIES THE FORREST GROUP'S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES THINK GREEN JANUARY 2016

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION... p.3 2. STL ACTIVITIES... p.4 3. PROCESSING OF OVEN GASES... p.5 4. AIR QUALITY ANALYSES... p.5 5. LIQUIDS... p.6 6. WATER AND EFFLUENT ANALYSES... p.7 7. SOIL PROTECTION... p.8 8. SITE MANAGEMENT... p.8 9. SOCIAL ASPECTS... p.9 CONTACT. GROUPE FORREST INTERNATIONAL S.A. (GFI S.A.) Parc Des Collines, Avenue Pasteur Wavre . hdh.gfi@forrestgroup.com Tél. +32 (0)

3 1 INTRODUCTION The mining and metallurgy industries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more specifically those of the provinces of Haut-Katanga (Lubumbashi) and Lualaba (Kolwezi), are often featured in reports and articles about pollution and the public health issues it creates. In fact, pollution resulting from a range of discharges is found in the region near or downstream of industrial facilities. The FORREST GROUP pays particular attention to environmental and public health issues, notably those related to its activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The FORREST GROUP applies strict environmental standards to its investments, which comply with the legislation in effect and are, most often, similar to those in effect in the European Union. That is the case for Société Congolaise du Traitement du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL), a partnership between the FORREST GROUP and GÉCAMINES. STL is a metallurgy company based in Lubumbashi in Haut-Katanga province. The FORREST GROUP has not had any direct or indirect holdings in active mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for nearly five years. 3

4 2 STL ACTIVITIES The Lubumbashi slag heap is an asset wholly owned by Gécamines. It consists of waste from a previous metallurgy operation at Usines de Lubumbashi (UL) managed by Union Minière du Haut-Katanga (UMHK) from 1924 to 1992, then by Gécamines. The basic concept of the STL project is to buy waste (slag) from Gécamines via the trading company Groupement du Terril de Lubumbashi (GTL) and to provide it to STL. The latter uses a metallurgical process to produce a cobalt and copper alloy from the slag. Processing of the old metallurgy waste has been made possible by new technologies. STL's metallurgical process was created by the partners for the project to recover the cobalt and copper remaining in a section of the slag heap. STL uses a pyrometallurgical process consisting of an oven. It does not use any chemical substances like those used for hydrometallurgy processes. When STL began operations in 2000, its electric oven, which is 17 metres in diameter and has maximum power of 36 MW, was the largest in the world. It is still one of the largest ovens in the world used for this type of metallurgy. STL's current annual production capacity is approximately 5,500 tonnes of cobalt and 4,000 tonnes of copper. 4

5 3 PROCESSING OF OVEN GASES STL's oven produces gas generated by the metallurgy process which consists in the carbothermal reduction of metal oxides contained in the slag. The gas is not released into the atmosphere. The STL plant has a complex gas recovery and processing system. It was also developed by the project partners and has been refined over the years to improve performance. The system is currently so efficient that it enables recovery and annual production of 22,000 tonnes of zinc oxide. In line with the terms of the partnership, the zinc oxide is provided free of charge in powder or granule form to Gécamines which then sells it. The dust removal system has been completely cemented over (photo opposite) and designed to prevent any soil contamination. In other words, the STL plant has transformed an environmental risk into a clean and productive activity. 4 AIR QUALITY ANALYSES STL carries out atmospheric testing in collaboration with the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) and Environment Water and Engineering Services (EWES), an independent laboratory certified by the Congolese government. They are done four times a year both inside and outside of the perimeter of the company's operations. The testing results are included in an annual report. Improving procedures is an ongoing process. For example, two studies are currently underway. They are being carried out by a South African company in partnership with EWES and are intended to reduce the amount of dust created by STL operations, both inside and outside of the plant. 5

6 5 LIQUIDS Given that STL uses a pyrometallurgical process, no chemical solutions are involved and very little water is used. The water is used for cooling (photo opposite), particularly the outside walls of the oven, and for granulating metal and slag flows as they exit the oven. The water used by STL travels primarily in a closed circuit. STL has implemented a drainage system for the entire site. The pipes in and around the plant are watertight and maintained on a regular basis. Most water is lost by the evaporation of cooling water which does not come into contact with contaminating substances. For example, it is water used to cool the oven walls. In order to avoid discharging liquids, for example into the Lubumbashi River, STL has installed a system of baffles and gravel filters (photo opposite) at the heart of the drainage system to collect runoff water. Moreover, studies for the construction of an additional retention basin are currently under way to provide complementary analyses prior to any discharge. Lastly, STL leads an annual cleaning operation for the Lubumbashi River (photo opposite) to ensure that it won't overflow and flood the site. The annual operation also protects the neighbourhoods downstream from flooding. 6

7 6 WATER AND EFFLUENT ANALYSES STL has implemented a water control system on the Lubumbashi River, both upstream and downstream, to carry out analyses of all physical and chemical parameters and ensure that the effluents from its activity do not negatively impact the waterway's characteristics. In addition, STL complies with the requirements of the Règlement Minier (mining regulations) by carrying out a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, half-year and annual analysis of its final effluents. In order to ensure the objectivity of the results, multiple analyses are done by the STL laboratory and by independent laboratories, notably those of OCC, CRAA and EWES. Underground water samples are collected from three wells sunk at the three points of an equilateral triangle within the company's enclosure. They are consistently checked in accordance with the requirements of the Règlement Minier. STL has implemented a policy of constant improvement of its practices, as it has for dust control and water use. A study of the coagulation of dissolved solids and suspended matter is currently underway. It is being done by the EWES engineering firm and is intended to increase the quality of STL's effluents. 7

8 7 SOIL PROTECTION In order to prevent soil contamination, STL has poured concrete in all areas used for vehicle maintenance (photo opposite), for the storage of lubricants and spare parts, and for vehicle washing. Concrete has also been poured around the dust removal unit to prevent any potential soil contamination by zinc oxide. STL has built a 500 m³ concrete retention basin around the fuel oil tank (photo opposite) used to supply the slag and alloy dryer and the foundry to preheat flows. In addition the tank used to supply the company's machinery and vehicles is also protected with a metal retention container. 8 SITE MANAGEMENT STL has a dedicated environmental department. It is responsible for a number of different activities both inside and outside of the plant, notably those described above. One of its responsibilities consists in site maintenance, including green spaces, cleanliness and river management. STL has created green spaces on the site (photo below). Their usefulness is clear: for example, a green belt creates a windbreak and reduces dust in the air. Planting is also an effective way to reduce erosion. 8

9 9 SOCIAL ASPECTS All of STL's activities to protect the environment and manage its site have a direct and indirect positive impact on the quality of life of local residents. For example, the cleaning of the Lubumbashi River prevents flooding of the site and of nearby neighbourhoods. STL also finances social initiatives. In 2015, it financed a drinking water system in the Lubumbashi neighbourhoods of Plateau and Maisha where it drilled wells equipped with pumps (photo opposite) powered by solar panels. STL donated an electrical transformer, equipment and accessories to the residents of the Gécamines neighbourhood. The company also financed the renovation of the Tshondo Bridge (photo opposite) and the construction of a footbridge over the Lubumbashi River. The company makes regular donations to non-profit associations including Oeuvres Maman Marguerite, an organization which cares for street children. 9