Antofagasta : Tailings Policy

Antofagasta Minerals Tailings Policy

At Antofagasta, we develop mining for a better future, convinced of our contribution to our local communities, the country and the world. Copper is indispensable for modern society to face climate change.

Tailings management is a significant copper mining activity. We manage our tailings under the premise that a catastrophic tailings failure is unacceptable. We operate our tailings prioritising the safety and health of people, communities and the environment.

Responding to these objectives, Antofagasta Minerals commits to:

I. Ensure the stability of tailings deposits throughout their life cycle, via:

Prioritising stability over production or cost considerations.

Design, planning, construction, operation, maintenance and closure done according to the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM) and legal requirements.

Risk management based on scientific data and robust technical analysis.

II. Identify and manage potential environmental impacts to reduce, compensate or eliminate those impacts in accordance with applicable legal regulations and global standards that are fully compliant with the GISTM, including efficient water recirculation, promoting the use of technology to reduce tailings generation, and climate change considerations.

III. Implement governance that:

Drives and supports GISTM compliance.

Promotes a culture of tailings deposit stability and safety through education and training of employees and contractors, including timely detection and reporting of potential problems.

Ensures routine, systematic independent reviews whose results are regularly reported to the Board.

Drives continuous improvement, increasing stability and security standards over time.

IV. Maintain open, transparent communication with stakeholders (employees, contractors, communities and authorities), including:

Community participation in the preparation of emergency response plans.

Information about risks to potentially affected communities.

Reception and consideration of stakeholder observations and concerns regarding tailings stability and safety.

CEO

Antofagasta Minerals