We conduct environmental and social impact assessments prior to undertaking greenfield or brownfield expansion projects. In addition, we have a project development sustainability review process that integrates sustainability into project planning by helping teams identify risks and opportunities associated with expansions or development projects. These tools help us to identify potentially affected stakeholders and their representatives, as well as potential impacts from the outset of a project, and provide a framework for developing both stakeholder engagement and mitigation plans. Many of our operations use baseline assessment tools to help characterize the current social and economic environment and provide a baseline against which we can measure our performance over time. Our active mining sites have mine closure plans that specify measures for managing environmental impacts at the end of mine life, while our ongoing social performance programs aim to build community resilience and capacity over the life of each mine to prepare for a post mining scenario or closure.

To learn more, please see our 2021 ANNUAL REPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY

Resettlement

We are committed to respecting the human rights of community members. We seek to avoid involuntary displacement, whether physical or economic. When unavoidable, we are committed to conducting community resettlement activities in alignment with international best practice. This requires careful planning and implementation, including information disclosure, consultation, and informed participation of projected affected persons to minimize impacts through appropriate mitigation measures. This commitment is reflected in our Social Performance and Human Rights Policy. We did not have any involuntary resettlement activities in 2021.

INDONESIA

PT-FI completed its environmental and social impact assessment (AMDAL) in 1997 in compliance which was approved by the Indonesia government. The 1997 AMDAL describes PT-FI’s management and monitoring plans for environmental and social impacts. PT-FI’s environmental and community affairs departments are jointly responsible for managing PT-FI’s environmental and social performance in line with its policies and the approved 1997 AMDAL and submit biannual Environmental Planning and Monitoring Reports, which includes data and program management updates, to the Indonesia government.

In 2020, PT-FI initiated a new AMDAL in preparation for the proposed extension of the east and west levees to maintain the tailings within the footprint of the approved tailings management area, among other things. The public announcement and initial public consultations were completed in mid-2020 with the nearby Amungme and Kamoro villages. PT-FI continues to work with Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) to address full approval of the AMDAL for facilities and activities associated with the transition from open-pit mining to underground operations; full approval is currently estimated to be received in 2022. PT-FI is currently undergoing regulatory review of technical approvals, the next stage of the overall permitting process.

Sedimentation Impact Mitigation  

During 2021, PT-FI continued its collaboration with Indigenous Kamoro communities from five villages (Ayuka, Tipuka, Nawaripi, Koperapoka and Nayaro) and communities from the coastal villages in eastern Mimika (Fanamo, Omawita and Otakwa). Some of the traditional mangrove rivers used by the Kamoro to access their livelihood resources have been impacted by PT-FI’s levees which were constructed to laterally contain the tailings within the designated and government approved deposition area and protect the environment and the health and safety of our host communities outside the tailings system.  

PT-FI’s sedimentation impact mitigation efforts are a cross-departmental responsibility. The teams continue to work with impacted communities and key local government and religious institutions on its impact mitigation strategy.

Land-water Transportation Program  

Our multi-stakeholder approach to mitigating sedimentation impacts resulted in development of a land-water transportation program combined with economic development activities aligned with Kamoro culture and livelihoods. The land-water transportation program includes an integrated passenger boat and bus service with routes and schedules determined through consultation with local community members and the Mimika Regency government. During phase one of the program (from 2013 to 2018), PT-FI regularly engaged with affected local communities in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating its social mitigation programs to address the impact of tailings and sedimentation. During phase two of the program (which began in 2019 and is ongoing), PT-FI is engaging stakeholders to support village economic development efforts related to fisheries, agriculture and community capacity building. Additionally, PT-FI collaborates with the Indigenous Peoples council of the Kamoro Tribe to help preserve Kamoro cultural heritage by providing in-kind support and infrastructure related to their traditional ceremonies.  

PT-FI also works together with the Mimika Regency government to implement programs and communicates with other government agencies to support efforts to ensure that stakeholders are involved and informed.

PT-FI Human Health Assessment 

As part of our ongoing environmental management and monitoring program, PT-FI has been undertaking a multi-year human health assessment (HHA) with support from various third parties. This comprehensive HHA is composed of multiple phases starting with the human health risk assessment followed by an on-the-ground local community health survey with support led by the local health authority. Following completion of these phases, we plan to provide a summary of the results as well as next steps. To learn more, please refer to the tailings management section of our 2021 Annual Report on Sustainability.  

Selected 2021 Program Activities: 

• Providing bus transportation for five directly impacted Kamoro villages to access their gardens, fishing grounds and Timika markets. PT-FI provided an average of 250 bus round trips and 54 truck round trips per month.
• Purchasing fish catches from local fishermen, which generated approximately $340,000 in revenue.
• Assisting with a coconut program that distributed coconut seedlings this year to 319 farmers whose land spans 179 hectares.
• Training 150 community members on how to process sago rice and repair boats through a collaboration with the Mimika Regency government and the local church.
• Partnering with the Mimika Regency government on a vegetable program which distributed seeds and fertilizer and provided marketing assistance to 106 farmers.
• Facilitating access to groceries in Manasari, Otakwa and Nayaro by creating a method for local communities to trade their produce with products from the town through the Maria Bintang Laut cooperative as part of the economic hub in the eastern Mimika region. Having access to local groceries helped community members spend more of their time trading their goods and produce rather than traveling to Timika.
• PT-FI has been collaborating with the National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and the Mimika Regency government to improve response time on emergency situations and community vessel incidents near the PT-FI operational area in the estuary and surrounding areas. This collaboration covers socialization and training for safe trips and safety equipment for communities.  

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