The Group is committed to the responsible management of mineral waste and other waste products, as set out in its Environmental policy. The Group HSS Committee is responsible for monitoring waste management. The General Directors of the Group’s operations are responsible for waste management at a site level.

DISCLOSURE ON TAILINGS MANAGEMENT

Waste rock by asset (Mt)

1 kt/kt copper production

The majority of the waste generated by the Group is in the form of waste rock from the mining of overburden, mainly at the Group’s open pit mines at Aktogay, Bozshakol and Bozymchak. The generation of waste rock at Aktogay and Bozshakol is not considered to be a significant stakeholder issue due to the remote locations of the mines, their low strip ratios and their separation distances from local communities. Waste rock mining increased in 2021 by 22% to 24.7 Mt (2020: 20.3 Mt) in line with the mine plans.

TALINGS BY ASSET (MT)

1 kt/kt copper production

Tailings waste generation increased by 10% in 2021 to 63.4 Mt (2020: 57.6 Mt), with most of the increase associated with the 16% increase in sulphide ore processed at Aktogay.

The safe and effective management of tailings waste is a high priority for the Group. Operating procedures are in place for the monitoring and maintenance of tailings storage facilities, including regular inspection and testing of nearby groundwater to detect and maintain structural integrity. The Group periodically arranges for inspections by independent external experts, with all active tailings storage facilities inspected during 2021. KAZ Minerals will seek to align its tailings management and disclosure with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management set out by ICMM, the PRI (‘Principles for Responsible Investment’) investor network and the United Nations Environment Programme.

The Group is required to comply with the laws of the Governments of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in relation to the licencing, upkeep and maintenance of tailings storage facilities. State authorities regularly inspect the Group’s tailings storage facilities to ensure compliance with regulations. No significant deficiencies have been identified in the stability of the Group’s tailings storage facilities.

Ongoing work programmes, supported by appropriate external consultants, are in place to develop the tailings dams in line with future production plans and to address any issues identified.