Peñoles and Fresnillo Report Environmental Program’s Results

Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo announced the results of their environmental programs, carried out across their mining, metallurgical and chemical branches, which have yielded positive results regarding energy and water consumption, as well as the preservation of flora and fauna. 

According to the companies, their operations are carried out under a strict Sustainable Development Program. As a result, the companies have not gotten fined for failing to comply with environmental regulations in 2021. The strategy consists of flora and fauna preservation programs in their operational area to mitigate the environmental impact. 

Rafael Rebollar and Octavio Alvídrez, Director General of Industrias Peñoles and Fresnillo respectively, stressed that every worker in the group is familiar with the companies’ Environmental Management System. In addition, both companies assess every project using current environmental legislation to identify the possible environmental impact during the project’s lifecycle, which includes exploration, construction, exploitation and closure operations. 

Both companies focus on reducing their emissions with the implementation of natural gas and renewable energy self-supply sources, as well as on the reduction of first-time water usage. The better management of the discharge of wastewater and waste is furthermore part of the program.

The directors mentioned that every project is audited by federal and international authorities, as well as by organizations like the Mexican Center for Philanthropy, which recently has recognized them as Socially Responsible Enterprises. In addition, the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) and the Institute for Quality Promotion (IFC) awarded the companies with the Clean Industries and Exceptional Companies titles respectively. 

The mining sector suffers from a negative public perception. Therefore, companies must focus on enabling communication channels with communities to create appropriate social and environmental programs, since good relationships with communities often are key in determining the success or failure of a mining project.

In May 2022, Industrial Peñoles reported that is part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the fifth consecutive year. The index is considered to be the world’s strongest sustainability index. MBN has reported previously on Peñoles and Fresnillo’s commitment to using clean energy: both companies set the goal of operating using 100 percent of clean energy by 2028. for this purpose, the companies have developed two wind farms and an efficient gas-fired combined cycle power plant to address their energy needs. Regarding fauna preservation, both companies have invested in ecological reserves located in Durango and Zacatecas, respectively. Together, the facilities safeguard over 37 species.