GLOBAL COM P A C T COMM U N I C A T I O N ON PROGRESS REPORT: 202 3 - 2024 UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 ABOUT US Ghana Manganese (GMC) L td owns and operates the Nsuta Manganese Mine, approximately 4km from Tarkwa, in the Tarkwa - Nsuaem Municipality in the Western Region of Ghana. The mine has a 90% private shareholding by Consolidated Minerals Africa Limited (CMAL) and 10% freehold shareholding by the Government of Ghana (GoG). It has been in operation for over a hundred (100) years and has a total concession area of 170.2km2. Mission To be an internationally successful operating mining company, undertaking safe mining practices combined with cost - effective production methods. To achieve this, we recruit, retain and develop skilled employees. Vision Maintains its position as an important market leader in the mining and exporting of manganese ore. Core Value Open - door approach to management, respect for cultural diversity, and tolerance at the workplace. GHANA MANGANESE C OM P A N Y L T D OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY GMC is a global leading responsible manganese producer Our commitment to responsible manganese production is visible in everything we do, driven by our core values of safety, tolerance, and respect , One of GMC’s strategies is to incorporate sustainability into its business by building economic, social, and environmental legacies and mitigating the impact of its operations The company’s sustainability approach is therefore based on three pillars : health and safety, environment, and social responsibility The pillars tell us that we must care for our human resources, be environmental stewards when we explore, build and operate and repurpose or rehabilitate the land after mine closure We must contribute our fair share to local and national economies, including through payment of taxes and royalties, and do so transparently to preserve the profitability of our own business UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 4 SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY GMC’s strategy to incorporate sustainability into its business operations is centered on building economic, social, and environmental legacies while mitigating the impact of its activities This approach is based on three main pillars : Health and Safety GMC prioritizes the health and safety of its employees and stakeholders. The company implements stringent safety protocols and provides continuous training to ensure a safe working environment. Regular health checks and safety drills are conducted to maintain high safety standards GMC has a long - standing commitment to the highest standards for the health and safety of identified interested parties including our employees, business partners or contractors, visitors, and the indigenes of adjoining communities, among others GMC prioritizes health and safety since if neglected can result in serious and fatal injuries, property damages, and other disruptions to our operations To meet our set goal of becoming a model mine for regulatory requirements, GMC has fully adopted the principles of the NOSA Five Star System seeks to inculcate a systematic and UNGC COMMUNICATION PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 NOSA FIVE STAR SYSTEM GMC has fully adopted the principles of the NOSA Five Star System seeks to inculcate a systematic and proactive approach to managing health and safety risks and impacts and to achieve continuous improvement This management system in based on Deming cycle as indicated UNGC COMMUNICATION PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 6 HSE management system Executive Leadership Team (ELT) The ELT has the greatest responsibilities with respect to health and safety in the workplace and is responsible for taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker ELT shall ensure that : a. The HSE policies are promoted and function successfully b. Clear, firm standards for HSE are set and enforced c. The necessary resources, including personnel, tools, and equipment, are available d. Equal attention is given to issues relating to HSE as is given to achieving production and financial targets Senior Leadership Team (SLT) The SLT are expected to be HSE role models for their subordinates and ensure that they lead by example and promote a workplace culture that promotes and continuously improves health and safety SLT shall ensure that : a. Employees in their departments are adequately trained on HSE requirements and are competent to carry out assigned tasks b. They regularly engage directly with employees on HSE - related issues and listen to their concerns c. Regular walkabout inspections are carried out Supervisors Responsible for ensuring that: a. Employees under their supervision are fully aware of the hazards that may be encountered on the job or in the workplace b. Employees under their supervision work safely c. Risk assessments are properly completed d. Appropriate permits to work are properly completed before and after those hazardous tasks that require that such documents are completed e. They respond promptly to any of the hazards brought to their attention, including taking every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker f. They conduct regular workplace inspections g. They conduct planned task observations (PTOs) on subordinates Employees including contractors Each person employed on the mine is required to take reasonable care to ensure that their health and safety and that of any other person employed in the mine are not adversely affected by any act or condition To achieve this, workers are expected to : a. Report all hazards they come across in the workplace immediately b. Work safely and adhere to safe work practices c. Properly complete risk assessments d. Properly complete applicable permits to work before and after those hazardous tasks that require these documents are undertaken e. Use the required tools and/or equipment for the job at hand f. Participate in HSE programs established for the workplace g. Report all incidents h. Safeguard all equipment or arrangements that have been provided for the protection of the mine or for the safety of workers HSE management system Personnel in the HsS and Environmental departments HSE personnel are supposed to be role models and lead by example. They are to ensure: a. Compliance with HSE standards and requirements as specified in the applicable Acts and Legislative Instruments b. HSE training and other educational programs are conducted c. Inspections and audits are carried out d. The proper completion of risk assessments by personnel e. The proper completion of applicable permits to work documents before and after those hazardous tasks that require the completion of such documentation f. Daily monitoring of systems and procedures, to evaluate them g. Investigations of incidents and make recommendations for remedial actions h. Corrective actions are closed out timeously HSE representatives HSE representatives are responsible for : a. Ensuring that safety standards and requirements implemented are complied with and maintained b. Reporting on sectional or departmental performance at HSE Committee meetings c. Conducting routine inspections of their workplace, machinery, or equipment with the aim of identifying potential hazards in the working environment to ensure that remedial actions are taken to avoid or prevent the occurrence of incidents d. Drawing the immediate attention of the Supervisor of any potential hazards associated with working practices and conditions at the workshop. Through the effective running of the management system, three ( 3 ) important rights of all workers on the mine are realized namely : The right to know about hazards in their workplace and to get information, supervision, and instruction to protect their health and safety on the job The right to participate in identifying and solving workplace HSE problems The right to speak out which includes reporting unsafe acts and conditions, incidents, and refusing work that they believe is dangerous to their health and safety, or that of any other worker in the workplace, or to the environment It has been proven that strict adherence to the requirements of the NOSA five - star system ensures that requisite and suitable controls are implemented which focus on managing personal and job factors to minimize unsafe acts and conditions, and eventually provide the following benefits : Employee and management participation and ownership of HSE Proactive incident prevention programs Reduced probability of incidents and its associated consequences including injuries and damages Reduced costs Less business interruption These benefits offer substantial improvements in the Mine’s business efficiency as well as in our health and safety performance, thus ensuring effective control to meet the requirements of all stakeholders, especially regulators To ensure that these benefits are obtained, personnel in the Health and Safety department carry out the following activities : UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 HSE management system a) Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) Knowledge of hazards and evaluation of associated risks are necessary requirements for setting priorities to control the identified risks to employees and others on an ongoing basis GMC’s approach to completing the HIRA process for each task is indicated Risk assessments are conducted for all activities and facilities involved with the company’s operation, including contractors and sub - contractors This enables personnel to identify and manage risks related to activities carried out with the aim of reducing their impact on the employees, equipment, and the environment b) Competence, Training and Awareness All employees need some level of training depending on whether they manage, perform, or verify activities affecting health and safety risks The department is responsible for championing HCS trainings for the workforce Such trainings include the use of permits, completing risk assessments, lock out - tag out - test out (LOTOTO) procedures among others Such training programs are essential to ensuring that all employees ; including contractors and sub - contractors, are competent to carry out their duties under the scope of the HSE standard These training sessions are geared to ensuring that all employees understand their roles and responsibilities in HSE management on the mine HSE management system c) Inspections and Audits Inspections and audits are conducted to determine the degree of implementation and to verify conformance to regulatory and HSE management system requirements This enables the department to identify trends, measure progress, assess conformance and drive continual improvement All non - conformances observed are documented and tracked accordingly to ensure that they are closed out timeously d) Emergency Management GMC has formulated an Emergency Response Plan ; as stipulated in the Minerals and Mining (Health, Safety and Technical) Regulations, 2012 (L I 2182 ), which contains a detailed description and assessment of emergency scenarios and risks associated with GMC operations Emergency simulation drills are carried out to assess, validate, and enhance preparedness plans, procedures, and systems for all hazards and capabilities e) Incident Management GMC’s HCS management plan includes a procedure for the recording and investigation of incidents Root or basic cause analysis is important for evaluating and investigating incidents This is to ensure that timely corrective and preventive actions may be identified and implemented to prevent reoccurrence or nonconformities UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 2021 ENVIRONMENT Our commitment to Environment Principles. ACTION GMC installed and operates an oil separator machine on the mine to separate water contaminated with oil before discharge GMC also installed and operates an incinerator at the hospital to handle all hospital waste The mine has emergency centre to respond to all emergencies (fire, flood, accidents, natural disaster etc) GMC has an internal program to perverse flora and fauna OUTCOMES Ban on fishing in water bodies on the mine, Ban on wildlife hunting, flora, and fauna destruction within the mine. Revegetation / reclamation activities. An incorporated strategy in procurement to focus on eco - friendly products UNGC COMMUNICATION PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP Environmental stewardship is integral to GMC’s operations The company is committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its mining activities This includes responsible exploration, building, and operational practices, as well as repurposing or rehabilitating the land after mine closure GMC adheres to environmental regulations and strives to go beyond compliance through innovative practices and technologies that reduce environmental footprints Activities, programs and or projects carried out for Environmental Sustainability in 2023 / 2024 Reporting year include : Environmental Monitoring In its efforts to have and maintain a safe working environment and to minimize environmental impacts of the mine’s activities, a monitoring program of ambient air quality (noise and dust), blast, noxious gases and water quality to quickly employ mitigation measures in real time UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 202 3 - 2024 14 Environmental Monitoring Noise C Dust Monitoring Water Sprinkler in crushing unit Sampling of water for quality analysis • To prevent the release of hazardous substances into the general laboratory space, a fume hood chamber was installed to capture and contain hazardous fumes, vapors, gases, and dusts generated during experiments This helps to control the release of hazardous substances into the environment, reducing laboratory emissions and maintaining air quality A rusting Dust extractor cabin was refurbished through sandblasting and repainting with anti - rust paint to ensure dust pollution control Fume hood chamber Dust Extractor Cabin GMC has over the years observed World Environment Day (WED); intensifying awareness among the workforce on the importance of protecting the environment for present and future generations. A plastic upscaling entrepreneur from KNUST was engaged to educate school children in the mine communities and the workforce on the Theme for 2023 “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” under the campaign “Beat Plastic Pollution”. A clean up exercise of the Nsuta Community, tree planting and re - introduction of blue bins for plastic waste segregation to recycle climaxed the activities During Clean up exercise After Clean up exercise Plastic Upscaling Entrepreneur training School Children • 2024 World Environment Day’s campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience under the slogan “Our land Our future” As part of the celebration 115 tree seedlings were planted to commemorate the event A debate competition between GMC catchment community schools was aired live on Medeama FM with Dadwen schools complex and Akyem M/A school emerging victors in their respective groups Tree planting exercise Group of workers and students after planting • Incorporation of oil/water separators in the construction of contractors’ workshop and emulsion plant All oil/water separators on site are regularly maintained to ensure efficient separation of oil to ensure only clean water is released into the environment as a surface water pollution control system Reclamation Efforts Though GMC has carried out no significant reclamation program due to mining of a single pit for over 20years, soft waste dump is continually revegetated with leguminous cover crop to prevent water pollution, ensure slope stability and promote soil enrichment for future reclamation/rehabilitation works UNGC COMMUNICATION ON PROGRESS REPORT / GMC 2021