Environment
GREEN DEVELOPMENT AND HEADING FOR A ZERO-CARBON FUTURE
Griffin fully understands that transitioning to a low-carbon economy is a major global challenge. As a responsible enterprise, Griffin strictly abides by the Environmental Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Environmental Impact Assessment Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Cleaner Production Promotion Law of the People’s Republic of China and other relevant laws and regulations. Griffin implements a low-carbon strategy, actively promoting the construction of a green mine, studies and applies resource-saving technologies, improves resource utilisation efficiency and implements energy-saving and emission-reduction measures. Griffin aims to reduce any negative impact of its operations on the environment and to ensure that environmental protection is planned and implemented in conjunction with the mine’s operations.
GREEN MINE CONSTRUCTION
The Caijiaying Mine is designated as one of the PRC’s national green mines. Griffin actively implements the PRC’s policy of “developing green mining and building green mines”, adheres to the policy of “developing while protecting and protecting while developing”, fully promotes the construction of a green mine, ensures environmental protection in the whole life cycle of mining development, such as mine exploration, mining, beneficiation and closure and seeks to integrate mine production and construction with ecological protection. A Mine Geological Environmental Protection System has been established and the green mine construction team is headed by the Caijiaying Operations Manager. During 2022 Griffin practised sustainable development and consolidated the achievements of its green mine construction by increasing investment in scientific research, regulating emissions, greening and treating mining areas and establishing local cooperation relationships. Geological environmental damage within the mine area has been managed by restoring the ecological environment around the mining area and establishing geohazard and environmental monitoring systems. Potential geohazard inspections are regularly conducted to reduce environmental risks as much as possible. Griffin continued to work according to the Green Mine Construction Plan, and has invested 5%-10% of the total enterprise output value in the “Mine Environmental Protection and Treatment Fund” to assist in the completion of field renovation, tailings pond reclamation, road hardening, and covering of temporary dumps aiming to achieve 100% greening of the land exposed in the mining area and the goal of “As Green as Possible”.
Responding to Climate Change
Climate change related risks from extreme weather such as heavy rain, snowstorms, floods, typhoons, and suddennatural disasters could disrupt operations, cause closure of the mine and accidents, with consequent economic loss and harm to employees. Griffin strictly abides by the Guidelines on Strengthening Response to Heavy Pollution Weather and Consolidating Emergency Emission Reduction Measures issued by the PRC Ministry of Ecology and Environment and has formulated response plans to climate change related risks. When severe weather occurs, the production plan will be adjusted promptly; production will be shutdown, ore crushing and screening, lead flotation, zinc flotation, concentration, filtration, tailings conveying and other processes will be stopped. Vehicle transportation activities are minimised to avoid dust pollution.
Environmental Emergency Response Plan
In accordance with the requirements of the PRC Interim Measures for the Management of Emergency Response Plan for Environmental Incidents documents such as the Emergency Response Plan for Environmental Pollution Incident in Caijiaying Zinc and Gold Mine of Hebei Hua’ Ao Mining Development Company Limited and Operation Plan for Emergency Response in Heavy Pollution Weather have been drawn up. A special emergency response leadership group regularly conducts environmental risk assessments and, in the event of an incident, takes the necessary measures to complete any rescue safely and efficiently and reduce the extent of environmental pollution and ecological damage.
In addition, Griffin regularly provides training and organises emergency drills to raise the environmental awareness of employees.
Key Environmental Performance Indicators – Emissions
2022
2021
Total GHG emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) (tonnes)
45,044.79
42,644.31
Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) (tonnes) including:
Diesel
42,644.31
Coal
42,644.31
Indirect GHG emissions (Scope 2) (tonnes) including:
Purchased electricity
36,306.90
41,477.43
NOx (tonnes)
2.21
n/a
SO2 (tonnes)
0.90
n/a
Dust (tonnes)
0.19
n/a
Wastewater discharge (10,000 tonnes)
0
0
Wastewater discharge intensity (tonnes/RMB million)
0
0
Hazardous waste (tonnes)
35.43
47.60
General solid waste generation (10,000 tons)
79.12
68.93
Notes:
- The greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory includes carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. GHG emissions are presented in carbon dioxide equivalents and calculated based on the electricity emission factor in the 2019 Baseline Emission Factors for Regional Power
Grids in China issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China and the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2019 Revision) issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Scope
1 GHG covers GHG emissions directly generated from the businesses owned or controlled by the Company; Scope 2 GHG covers “indirect energy” GHG emissions from the Company’s internal consumption (purchased or obtained). - Nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and dust mainly emanate from heating boilers
- During the reporting period, the new low-emission coal-fired boiler has been put into use, so the total waste gas emissions, total GHG
emissions, and the energy consumption data increased compared with the previous year.
Key Environmental Performance Indicators – Energy and Resources Consumption:
2022
2021
75,308.123
58,263.004
Direct energy consumption (MWh) Including:
Diesel
0.003
0.004
Coal
24,308.12
n/a
Indirect energy consumption (MWh) Including: Purchased electricity
51,000.00
58,263.00
Total water consumption (10,000 tonnes)
38.56
40.90
Notes:
- Total energy consumption is calculated based on direct and indirect energy consumption according to the conversion factors listed in the National Standards of the People’s Republic of China General Principles for Calculation of the Comprehensive Energy Consumption (GB/T 2589-2020).
- The Group’s business does not involve the use of packaging materials and data disclosure.
