ISO/EMS Certifications

The NAC Group's operational mining companies hold prestigious certifications such as ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management System, ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management System, and ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management System. TMC and HMC-Manicani Nickel mine have received endorsements from TÜV Rheinland for compliance with these ISO standards, while RTN's certifications were approved by TÜV Nord. Additionally, CMC, HMC (specifically for its Tagana-an nickel mine), and DMC's certifications in these areas were validated by the NQA Global Accredited Certification body.

These ISO certifications encompass a wide scope, including Mining Operations and Post-Mining Activities, Minesite, Campsite, and Pier Site/Wharf Facilities, which also incorporate landing craft transports.

ISO 14001:2015 delineates the specifications for an environmental management system, enabling companies to enhance environmental performance, meet compliance obligations, and attain environmental objectives effectively.

ISO 9001:2015 specifies requirements for a quality management system when an organization:

• needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, and
• aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customers and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

ISO 45001:2018 gives guidance on providing a safe and healthy workplace and implementing the OH&S management system. The intended outcomes include:

• continual improvement of OH&S performance;
• fulfillment of legal requirements and other requirements;
• achievement of OH&S objectives.

Environmental Manual

The Mines Environmental Protection and Enhancement Department (MEPED) of the NAC Group follows an environmental procedures manual related to Land Development and Management (Land Use and Waste), Air Quality Monitoring (Emissions), and Water Quality Monitoring (Water Management).

As the NAC Group strengthens its commitment to protecting the environment, these procedures comply with all mandated standards and environmental programs of the Department of Natural Resources (DENR) and its attached agency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Mine Rehabilitation. In compliance with DENR Administrative Order 2018-19, the NAC Group complies with the implementation of Temporary Rehabilitation and Final Mine Rehabilitation (Progressive Rehabilitation) to ensure that the maximum disturbed area limit is strictly observed. Once an area is declared as mined out, it is subject to site inspection and evaluation to determine if it should undergo temporary or permanent rehabilitation. A team composed of the Mine Engineering Department, Geology Department, and the MEPED will also determine if the area will need reshaping and backfilling works or if planting activities can already proceed. After the establishment of the rehabilitation area, MEPED conducts quarterly field counts to determine the survival/mortality rate and the growth performance of planted seedlings.

In addition, the NAC Group seeks to comply with the Science Based Target initiative’s (SBTi) Corporate Net-Zero Standard. The main objective is to set a science-based net-zero target consistent with the limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. As provided in the manual, the mining companies follow the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories in the computation of their respective emissions.

Silt Management. The procedure for solid waste management (SWM) and hazardous waste management (HWM) specified in the manual follows RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) and RA 6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990), respectively. The NAC Group strictly implements waste segregation, regular waste collection, proper handling and storage of wastes, and issuance of corrective action for committed violations. It also applies to the mining companies' contractors.

Further, the manual includes the procedures for dredging siltation ponds and total suspended solids (TSS) monitoring.

The manual summarizes the common environmental procedures of the mining companies and was approved by the operating companies' respective managements and NAC's senior management in 2019

Below is the individual Environment policy of NAC and its operating mining companies

Below is the individual Effluent policy of NAC and its operating mining companies