2020 Sustainability Report

RNS Number : 4718G

Horizonte Minerals PLC

27 July 2021

 

NEWS RELEASE

27 July 2021

Publication of 2020 Sustainability Report

Horizonte Minerals Plc, (AIM: HZM, TSX: HZM) ('Horizonte' or 'the Company') the nickel company focused in Brazil is pleased to announce that it has today published its Sustainability Report for the year ended 31 December 2020. The report is an overview of the Company's sustainability performance over the 2020 financial year, primarily focussed on the Araguaia ferronickel project and also includes data from the Vermelho nickel-cobalt project and corporate head office where appropriate.

The report is available to view on the Company's website at: 

https://horizonteminerals.com/uk/en/sustainability_report/

This is the Company's second standalone sustainability report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative. The report covers the Company's approach, achievements, and goals for accountable and transparent corporate governance, developing a local, inclusive and diverse  workforce, maintaining a safe workplace, minimising our environmental footprint and creating value for stakeholders.

The following key achievements are noted within the Sustainability Report from 2020:

· Zero work-related Covid-19 transmissions

· Zero environmental incidents

· Zero lost time injuries and fatalities

· Appointment of first female director to the Board

· Development of an Integrated Stakeholder Engagement Plan

· Receipt of final permits including energy and water to construct supporting infrastructure for the Araguaia Project

Katie Millar, Head of ESG and Communications at Horizonte commented: "Our commitment to the highest sustainability standards and the transparent reporting of our sustainability practices positions Horizonte as an important emerging nickel producer.

Unsurprisingly the Covid-19 pandemic dominated both our engagement and activities this year, as well as significantly changing the way in which we work. The health and safety of our employees, contractors and local communities is always our priority, and we therefore are very pleased to report zero work-related Covid-19 transmissions. Whilst the pandemic presented significant challenges, there have been many positive outcomes and we are very proud to have achieved so much in a difficult year.

As our Araguaia Project advances towards the start of construction, our focus in 2020 was to ensure we built strong sustainability-related foundations on which to support the Company's transition to a successful producer. Our priorities for the year included: the creation of an Integrated Management System to enable effective risk management; the implementation of our resettlement programme in line with International Finance Corporation Standards and Equator Principles; the development of a Biodiversity Action Plan to achieve our goal of net positive impact; and the commencement of a CO₂ emissions reduction programme for the Araguaia Project.

Sustainability is critical to our business strategy. We encourage proactive dialogue with all our stakeholders and look forward to reporting on our continued progress as we work to align with additional international standards including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."

For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:

Horizonte Minerals plc Jeremy Martin (CEO) Anna Legge (Corporate Communications)	[e-mail] [phone]
Peel Hunt (NOMAD & Joint Broker) Ross Allister David McKeown	[phone]
BMO (Joint Broker) Thomas Rider Pascal Lussier Duquette Andrew Cameron	[phone]

About Horizonte Minerals:

Horizonte Minerals plc is an AIM and TSX-listed nickel development company focused in Brazil. The Company is developing the Araguaia project, as the next major ferronickel mine in Brazil, and the Vermelho nickel-cobalt project, with the aim of being able to supply nickel and cobalt to the EV battery market. Both projects are 100% owned.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the Acquisition as described herein, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the ability of the Company to complete the Placing as described herein, and the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete the Acquisition as described herein, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, the inability of the Company to complete the Placing on the terms as described herein, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

 

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