Polyus PJSC presents its 2024 Sustainability Report prepared in line with the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the recommendations of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. The Report has passed an independent audit and public assurance and reflects the progress that Polyus has made in environmental protection, climate action, social investment, technological advancement, risk management and the Company’s contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Russia’s national projects.
Key Achievements in 2024
Climate and environment
- For the fourth year in a row, 100% of the Company’s electricity has been supplied from carbon-free sources through both direct electricity procurement and through certificates of power origin confirming that the electricity was sourced from hydropower plants.
- Gross greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) have been reduced by 27% compared to the baseline of 2020.
- Coal consumption dropped by 12% vs 2023.
- The first climate project was launched, with 2.16 mln carbon units issued.
- 92% of all water used in production is reclaimed and reused.
- Biodiversity conservation projects are ongoing, with expenditures totaling RUB 36.4 mln (+48% vs 2023) and documented in a topical report.
- Environmental protection expenses totaled RUB 7.9 bln.
Social projects
- More than 270 social and economic development projects were rolled out in the regions where Polyus operates and on a federal level, totaling RUB 9 bln (+32% vs 2023).
- Expenses on supporting socially vulnerable groups amounted to RUB 5.8 bln.
- RUB 3.1 bln was allocated to social programs for employees.
- The charity activities of Polyus Fund have been expanded to include Khabarovsk Territory. The Fund supported 32 projects through grant competitions for a total amount of RUB 90.5 mln.
- Together with DOM.RF, Polyus completed a housing project: two apartment blocks were built in Nizhny Kuranakh in Yakutia to support and attract more skilled experts who have moved there to work for Polyus Aldan.
- Polyus Talent Pool, the Company’s HR reserve, which operates as a network of corporate training centers, started an early training program to give its students the opportunity to practice their skills at testing facilities. This allows Polyus to prepare its personnel for operating new machinery and grant them an in-depth view of large-scale production. Polyus Talent Pool is also an in-house HR agency that selects staff to work at other Polyus business units.
Governance and technologies
- RUB 190 mln was allocated to IT research and development.
- A Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) system was developed and implemented that automates key processes, including procurement, contracting and supply management for materials and equipment.
- An intellectual system was launched to help decision-making for process engineers working at process plants.
- The automatic tailings storage facility monitoring system was expanded to include Blagodatnoye, Kuranakh, Natalka and Verninskoye.
- Polyus also started the Green IT project for replacing backup diesel power plants with hydrogen generation at Verninskoye.
- The Company is continuing to work with domestic suppliers. It has developed a database of equivalents, which makes it possible to speed up the process of finding alternative solutions and to minimize risks arising from bottlenecks in the supply of foreign components.
Alexey Vostokov, Chief Executive Officer of Polyus, commented: «Strong production and financial results for 2024 go hand in hand with our achievements in ESG: 100% green energy, several billion rubles of social investment, staff development and the introduction of digital solutions and technologies. We don’t see this as a separate issue but as the foundation for long-term leadership and the creation of real value for all stakeholders.»
The Report is available on the Company’s official website.