21
Although it has been proven that the consumption of water by the activities of our subsidiaries does not affect aquifer levels
or the quantity of the water available for use or the capability of an ecosystem to function, no targets have yet been set re-
garding water savings in each Group activity sector.
ACTION PLAN: To study, develop and gradually incorporate, by 2016, targets and proposals, especially in the Metal-
lurgy & Mining sector, focusing on the achievement of the highest possible conservation and on the reuse of water in
the production process, with an abstraction target below 14,000 m
3
/day.
Total water consumption in the Group, excluding production processes, is around 6m
3
to 7.5m
3
per person annually.
ACTION PLAN: To plan and gradually take action at the level of each individual subsidiary, with the initial aim of
achieving a consumption level for potable water between 4.5m
3
and 6m
3
per person annually.
The target which had been set for 2013 by DELPHI-DISTOMON S.A was not achieved. A total of 38 incidents were record-
ed, involving mainly the spillage of lubricants in the soil in underground tunnels. These incidents were of a limited extent and
their impact was reversible. They are also unavoidable during the mining process, as they are caused primarily by wear and tear
of lubricant pipes and by damages to machinery by falling rocks.
ACTION PLAN: DELPHI-DISTOMON S.A. has already set a new target for the reduction of incidents involving spills.
Following an internal audit during the mining process, it was established that a number of incidents involving spills were
not reported. To address this, particular emphasis was placed on the training of employees and subcontractors, in or-
der to eliminate this behaviour. The methodology for handling this specific impact is expected to be modified during
2014, with the introduction of more strict criteria.
The locations of the Group’s business activities do not form part of any area protected by law or designated as an area of high
biodiversity value. In our subsidiary ALUMINIUM S.A., a more thorough study is required to accurately assess the impacts on
biodiversity of the disposal of bauxite residues on land, which the company is carrying out in accordance with the approved
environmental terms.
GENERAL DIRECTION: No deviation from the policy of PROTERGIA S.A., as in force. In the contact of the full com-
pliance of the company’s production plants with the environmental terms in force, disturbance to the local flora and
fauna is negligible. ALUMINIUM S.A. will explore the possibility for a study on the impacts on biodiversity of its dis-
posal of bauxite residues on land.
Since the launch of the Group’s business activity, 80% to 100% of the areas affected have been fully rehabilitated.
GENERAL DIRECTION: No deviation from our policy. On 31st of December 2013, the percentage of affected areas which
were rehabilitated stood at 87.7%. We are continuing our rehabilitation efforts, with respect for the natural environ-
ment and with a view to minimising the impact of our activities on biodiversity.
E
nergy is a key raw material for our activ-
ities and is also expected to become a key
source of income in the near future. Through
its Construction & EPC Projects sector, our
Group is active within the broader scope of
the energy sector. According to a view that
is rapidly gaining ground, the consumption of
energy produced by mineral fuels is one of the
key factors that contribute to global warm-
ing. An increasing number of States, inter-
national organisations and inter-govern-
mental committees have already introduced
or intend to introduce legislative and regu-
latory changes in response to the potential
risks associated with global warming.
The Group’s operational margins might be
affected by changes which may be made to
its production facilities whose greenhouse
gas emission levels are high, as well as to
Group facilities with increased requirements
in energy, as a result of regulatory acts pri-
marily in the EU, where the Group is active.
The potential impact of the future legisla-
tion and of the regulatory framework on cli-
mate change, as well as of the European and
international conventions and agreements,
cannot be estimated with any certainty, giv-
en the wide-ranging purposes of these po-
tential changes. The Group may be forced
to carry out significant investments in the fu-
ture, as a result of the need to comply with
the revised legislation and the new provi-
sions. Finally, as its management of CO
2
emission rights may post negative (deficit)
or positive (surplus) results, and as a con-
sequence of its high energy consumption
(due primarily to the Aluminium production
process), the Group in the future may have
to recognise significant expenditures or
revenues, respectively. On the other hand,
the Group may identify opportunities for EPC
Projects in the energy sector, made possible
by any one of the aforementioned changes
in the legislation which relate to climate
change.
5.2 CLIMATE CHANGE AND BUSINESS ACTIVITY
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