...Serbia Zijin Copper (SZC) attaches great importance to community concerns, human rights compliance and environmental governance obligations...

SZC acquired the former RTB Bor in 2018. Prior to the acquisition, global third-party consultant ERM completed a comprehensive regional environmental baseline survey. The report confirmed that severe historical heavy metal pollution in air, river water and soil across the Bor-Majdanpek area stemmed from decades-long underinvestment in environmental facilities and ageing equipment under RTB Bor’s historical operation...Beyond statutory legal requirements, SZC has made substantial extra investments in environmental remediation work, and there is no basis for claims that our activities have produced new illegal pollution or caused willful damage to the ecosystem...

SZC has invested a total of USD 310 million in dedicated environmental funds, equivalent to four times the environmental budget stipulated in relevant agreements for environmental protection and ecological restoration works...The sulphur dioxide emission volume from our smelter has dropped by 99.16% compared with the 2018 baseline value, driving a sharp decline in annual average atmospheric sulphur dioxide concentrations across Bor city. The Borska River has regained its natural clear water condition for the first time since 1948, with heavy metal concentrations in river water falling by over 99% against the baseline data...

SZC formulated the Krivelj Village Resettlement Plan in strict compliance with Serbian spatial planning legislation and IFC Performance Standard 5. The plan was formally approved via a village-wide vote held in October 2023, incorporating core demands submitted by the village committee and local Vlach ethnic representatives...After the end of 2023, certain residents raised objections against the vote outcome, which disrupted field activities including household economic surveys conducted by third parties. The incomplete collection of basic data has delayed the compilation of detailed resettlement packages and the overall progress of relocation implementation...

SZC has set up an on-site community service centre, hosts regular community open days and guided media site visits, and provides multi-channel anonymous grievance channels via telephone, email and in-person submissions. An independent damage assessment committee composed of cross-disciplinary external experts has also been put in place.

With regard to the dismissal of former employees: all labour relation adjustments are executed in full accordance with Serbian labour laws and internal enterprise collective agreements. Staff dismissals were triggered by non-compliant job performance issues with complete procedures validated by local labour regulators. We firmly refute accusations of workplace retaliation or blacklisting personnel due to community advocacy or public expression of demands. Affected individuals reserve full rights to file appeals through local labour arbitration and judicial proceedings in accordance with local law...

Our whole operational chain abides by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and EU BAT environmental standards. We have obtained ISO 14001 environmental management system certification and built a three-tier environmental monitoring framework jointly managed by government bodies, third-party supervisors and our enterprise. Independent environmental audits commissioned by international professional institutions are conducted on a regular basis.

In respect of outstanding disagreements relating to Krivelj Village, SZC maintains an open stance for constructive negotiations and stands ready to organise regular communication sessions witnessed by competent government departments, village committees and neutral non-governmental organisations...