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We operate in an environmentally responsible manner, minimising the impact of our activities and, where possible, aiming to improve and enhance the environment within which our projects are located.
The south region of Pará state, where the Araguaia and Vermelho Projects are located, is an agricultural region. The land is predominately used for rearing cattle and growing pineapples. Original indigenous vegetation was cleared over 50 years ago.
The total area occupied by the Araguaia Project is around 1,100 hectares of which only 3% is considered a Permanent Protect Area2. The project does not extend in to any National Park, Conservation Area, or indigenous or traditional communities.
As a result of the agricultural industry the vegetation surrounding the Araguaia Project is not diverse, it is predominately grassland. Nonetheless, as part of the comprehensive Environmental Control Programme the Company has established a Conservation and Management of Vegetation initiative. The Company will rehabilitate areas affected by the project with native species.
This approach aims to mitigate the cumulative effects of our operations by means of an Integrated Environmental Impact Assessment. These two initiatives are the result of large studies conducted as part of the permitting process for Araguaia, and cover the project’s water and industrial facilities, energy and transmission line.
Horizonte has been carrying out baseline studies for air quality, water quality and flow, and noise levels since 2013. These studies inform the Company’s environmental programmes and enable us to monitor impact and progress.
Following IFC principles, the Company has assumed a commitment when projects are under construction, to voluntarily report emissions through the Brazil Green House Gases (GHG) Protocol Program, developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Before the construction phase commences we are undertaking benchmarking studies and designing the engineering process in order to reduce GHG emissions.
This involves modelling alternative renewable energy sources with the view to reducing the use of metallurgical coal. The GHG emission forecast is under review and we look forward to providing more information in future.
