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 Group generates 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 distances from local communities. Waste rock mining in 2022 reflected the volumes of waste stripping in line with mining plans. Additionally, in 2022 an increased volume of mined rock was repurposed for use elsewhere around the site, and so is not included in the calculation of waste rock. Repurposed mined rock is used primarily in road construction and for embankments at the Group’s tailings storage facilities.

TALINGS BY ASSET (MT)

1 kt/kt copper production

Tailings waste increased by 35% in 2022 to 85.1 Mt (2021: 62.8 Mt). The increase was primarily a result of the increase in throughput at Aktogay in 2022, following the operation of the second sulphide concentrator throughout the full year.
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 2022. KAZ Minerals will seek to align its tailings management and disclosure with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management set out by ICMM, the 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 storage facilities in line with future production plans and to address any issues identified.