Polyus announces that its Verninskoye operation has been certified under the International Cyanide Management Code (the Cyanide Code), which is operated by the International Cyanide Management Institution. Earlier this year, Polyus Logistics JSC also became a signatory to the Cyanide Code.
Polyus Logistics and Polyus Verninskoye thereby commit to following the Cyanide Code’s principles and implement its Standards of Practice, including holding periodic certified audits of its operations.
Before being certified, a full gap analysis was conducted of Verninskoye’s practices, and a set of additional requirements were implemented to ensure compliance with the Code. Following the certification audit, Polyus committed to executing a series of minor additional measures in accordance with the latest amendments to the Cyanide Code.
The Cyanide Code, which is recognized amongst the most established certification programs within the mining sector, was developed under the United Nations Environment Program and complements Polyus’ existing regulations. The Cyanide Code is a voluntary industry program focused on the safe and environmentally responsible management of cyanide by companies producing gold or silver and by companies manufacturing, warehousing, using in production and transporting cyanide.
In order to evaluate continuing compliance with the Cyanide Code, Polyus intends to re-audit Verninskoye and Polyus Logistics every three years.
Daria Grigoreva, Head of Sustainable Development at Polyus, commented:“We are very pleased that both Verninskoye and Polyus Logistics have now been certified by the International Cyanide Management Code, paying credit to the high safety standards implemented across all Polyus business units. Being a party to the Code means we will be held to the highest international standards for cyanide management, with the regular audits verifying our processes and procedures guaranteeing that Polyus abides by best practice standards. This will help to ensure that safety always comes first at all our production assets.”
Paul Bateman, President of the International Cyanide Management code, stated:“We applaud the Polyus team on the successful Cyanide Code certification of the Verninskoye operation. This achievement is a reflection of the company’s commitment to meet the recognized global best practices for cyanide management at this operation. In doing so, they have transparently demonstrated that an independent auditor determined that the Verninskoye operation is being operated in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment in its management of cyanide.”