Biodiversity Conservation
Mitsui Kinzoku Group’s business activities are both dependent on and influential to natural capital, including biodiversity. We benefit from ecosystem services such as water resources, energy, and soil in ore mining as well as in metal smelting and processing. However, wastewater, gas emissions, and land modification may also affect local ecosystems. In accordance with our Basic Environmental Policy, Mitsui Kinzoku Group strives to accurately assess the impact of its business activities on ecosystems and to minimize environmental impact through operational improvements and the adoption of new technologies. We are also fostering collaboration with local stakeholder in light of the natural environments in which we operate.
In April 2024, we commenced our involvement as a Forum Member of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). In October 2025, we registered as a TNFD Adopter.
In January 2025, we expressed our support for the Keidanren Declaration for Biodiversity and Guideline, and joined the Keidanren Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation.
Keidanren Declaration for Biodiversity and Guideline
| Reduction of Environmental Footprint |
- Identification of locations with biodiversity value near our operations
- Environmental assessment for new plant construction and equipment installation
- GHG emissions reduction
- Management of wastewater and emissions, and reduction of hazardous substance and waste, using voluntary standards as needed
- Introduction of a system for environmental contribution product
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| Biological Habitat Preservation and Landscaping |
- Planting activities at suspended or closed mine sites
- Tree-planting activities at suspended or closed quarries
- Promotion of greening at each site and in neighboring areas
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| Collaboration with Stakeholders |
- Activities at the Huanzala mine and the Pallca mine (in Peru)
- Donations to tree-planting activities by public organization (at our Chinese site)
- Release of juvenile fish with local fishermen's association (at our domestic site)
- Participation in volunteer cleanup activities (at domestic and overseas sites)
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Activities at the Huanzala Mine and the Pallca Mine
Compania Minera Santa Luisa S.A, a mining company of Mitsui Kinzoku Group in Peru, has been operating the Huanzala mine in central Peru since 1968.
We have been striving to preserve the natural environment since the start of the operation, the first initiative of which was the improvement of the infrastructure around the mine.
The areas surrounding the Huanzala Mine and Pallca Mine, which are situated at an elevation of over 3,000 meters, are home to flora and fauna unique to that environment . Both mines have limited impact on the surface above the grounds as they practice underground mining. However, in order to minimize the effects of mine development and operations, we make sure to process the acidic water properly, and also conduct environmental baseline surveys and bio habitat surveys.
From 2019, due to the construction work to expand the tailings dam, we conduct the transplant of the wetland vegetation group (bofedal) at the Huanzala Mine, which is being performed in partnership with experts and affiliated government agencies in Peru. In addition, since 2018, we have been distributing pamphlets to the local residents on animal and plant protection, thereby providing information on initiatives being implemented toward the preservation of biodiversity.
The transplantation work of plants around the Huanzala Mine
Mining business
Preliminary study for TNFD disclosure
In FY2024, we conducted a preliminary study to prepare for disclosure in line with the TNFD recommendations. In this study, we applied the LEAP approach*1 recommended by the TNFD to analyze three key sites with strong interconnections to the natural environment. Using ENCORE*2, we evaluated our dependence and impact on natural capital at the industrial sector level, and also assessed site-specific relationships with natural capital using the WWF Risk Filter and IBAT*3.
Based on the results of the study, we concluded that operational management at the three sites has been appropriate, with no significant impact on local ecosystems. Beginning in FY2025, we will initiate disclosures in alignment with the TNFD recommendations, grounded in a more comprehensive evaluation of our relationship with natural capital across the entire value chain.
Overview of preliminary study results
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Identified dependencies
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Identified impacts |
| Metal smelting plant in Japan |
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Due to the characteristics of recycling-based smelting, the process has limited dependence on ecosystem services in the surrounding area.
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- GHG emissions
- Amount of landfill waste*4
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| Engineered materials plant in Japan |
- Groundwater withdrawal volume
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- Amount of landfill waste*4
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Overseas ore mining site
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- The process has limited dependence on ecosystem services in the surrounding area.
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- Efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of mining operations have resulted in a relatively low overall impact.
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*1 An approach consisting of four phases: Locate, Evaluate, Assess, and Prepare.
*2 Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposures
*3 Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool
*4 Potential impacts in areas surrounding the landfill disposal sites.