All extractive technology is by its very nature burdensome on the environment, as the production and transportation carried out involves large material flows. This prevents the total isolation and hermetization of the processes involved. As a result the areas affected are rather large, leading even to alterations of the landscape. The copper industry in this regard is a prime example, as copper ore contains only a few percent of the metal, with all of the rest being removed in further stages of the production process.

The arising of the copper industry in the Legnica-Głogów region affected its economic structure and course of development. However, the nature of this industry, its extent and the speed of its growth, led to a variety of negative changes in the environment. Since its inception, KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. has attached great importance to ecological issues and, within its technical and financial capabilities and given its time constraints, has carried out systematic actions focused on the reduction of its impact on the environment.

Proof of our care for the environment may be seen in the significant sums invested in projects related to environmental protection. Over the last ten years we have annually invested around PLN 46 mln in environment-related projects and around PLN 40 mln in investments related to development or the replacement of equipment, though having an ecological aspect.

 

The consistent actions taken by KGHM aimed at protecting the environment have not only significantly reduced emissions, but have also had an important economic effect. They have brought about a change in the image of the Company, from that of a „polluter” to that of a company with model methods for resolving environmental problems. The image of KGHM has also improved locally and nationally, as well as amongst the international community.

The divisions of KGHM have been removed from the “List of 80 Largest Polish Polluters” (in 2000 – the Legnica and Głogów smelters were removed, and in 2004 the Tailings Management Division was removed.

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. was honored with the following titles:
• „Leader of Polish Ecology” (2001)
• „Environmentally-Friendly Company” (2002)
• „Ecolaureate” (2003)
• „Green Apple Awards”- an award presented in the UK (2003).

The Tailings Management Division was the seventeenth facility in the country to be issued, in February 2004, an integrated operating permit as required in the EU. It was also described in the EU reference document BREF regarding best available technology for the management of tailings and waste rock in mining. The Legnica smelter was issued an integrated permit in December 2005, the Ore Enrichment Plants and the Cedynia wire rolling plant in 2006 and the Głogów smelter in 2007.

KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. is actively involved on the domestic and international stages in the creation of EU and domestic documents related to environmental protection.