At Hummingbird Resources, we recognise the critical importance of environmental stewardship throughout the entire mine life cycle. Our activities have significant impacts on the surrounding environment and host communities, and we are committed to avoiding, reducing, mitigating, and compensating for these impacts wherever possible. Our ultimate goal is to protect and conserve the natural environment while continuously improving our environmental performance.
Key Areas of Environmental Management
- Tailings Management: We prioritise the safe handling and management of tailings to minimise environmental impact. Our operations at Yanfolila and Kouroussa adhere to the highest standards, including compliance with the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GISTM). Rigorous independent audits and careful engineering ensure the stability and safety of our tailings storage facilities.
- Water Stewardship: Water management is crucial, particularly in water-scarce regions like Mali. We focus on efficient water use, recycling, and conservation. At Yanfolila, we achieved a 90% water recycling rate in 2023, significantly reducing our reliance on freshwater sources.
- Waste Management: We follow stringent protocols for managing hazardous waste, including cyanide, in accordance with international standards. Our Cyanide Management Plans at Yanfolila and Kouroussa are designed to minimise risks to employees, local communities, and the environment.
- Energy Usage and Climate Change: We are committed to reducing our energy consumption and carbon emissions. This includes initiatives like the planned hybrid Solar PV and Battery Storage plant at Kouroussa, which aims to lower CO₂ emissions and operational costs. In 2023, we achieved a 17% reduction in Scope 2 emissions, reflecting our efforts to improve energy efficiency.
- Biodiversity: Protecting biodiversity is a key component of our environmental strategy. Our Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs) are tailored to each site, addressing potential impacts on local flora and fauna and including reforestation projects and protective measures for endangered species.
- Closure and Rehabilitation: We develop comprehensive closure plans for each site, ensuring that post-mining landscapes are safe, non-polluting, and sustainable. The closure plan for Yanfolila, for example, includes extensive stakeholder engagement and measures to prevent long-term environmental impacts.
At Hummingbird Resources, we are dedicated to setting industry benchmarks in environmental management. Our efforts to reduce emissions, conserve water, manage waste responsibly, and protect biodiversity reflect our commitment to sustainable development. Through continuous monitoring, assessment, and stakeholder engagement, we strive to minimise our environmental footprint and enhance the sustainability of our operations.
Process water recycled
90% target rate
Emission intensity
0.90
tCO2e/oz gold
Water management
14 Large scale water towers
Constructed since operations began at Yanfolila
Governance and Policy Framework
Our environmental management is guided by our Environmental Policy, which commits us to continuous improvement. The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee oversees the implementation of this policy, with ultimate accountability resting with our Board. Regular reviews ensure our practices align with the latest regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
Community and Environmental Initiatives
We actively engage with local communities and authorities, sharing our progress and collaborating to preserve natural resources. The Pygmy Hippo Foundation, established in 2012, exemplifies our commitment to biodiversity conservation, focusing on the protection of the endangered pygmy hippopotamus and other species in West Africa’s Upper Guinea forests.
Climate Change
Hummingbird is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their intensity. In Mali, erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, pose significant risks. We enhance operational efficiencies, engage in emission mitigation efforts, and invest in community programmes to build resilience.
Our GHG emissions reporting follows the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, using factors from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). We include emissions from our contractors, recognising their significant contribution to our Scope 3 emissions under Category 1: Purchased Goods and Services.
We employ an operational control approach to account for all emissions within Hummingbird’s direct control, including our offices and mining operations at Yanfolila and Kouroussa. The Dugbe site and Monrovia office, under Pasofino’s operation in 2023, were excluded from this year’s calculations due to their developmental stage.
To reduce our GHG footprint and emission intensity, we are evaluating and implementing changes to our energy and fuel sources.
2023 GHG Performance
Mining is energy-intensive, and we aim to increase energy and carbon efficiency to support long-term sustainability. Our emissions intensity, including Scope 1, 2, and contractor emissions, is 0.9 tCO₂e/oz gold (2022: 0.95 tCO₂e/oz gold). Without contractor emissions, this intensity stands at 0.17 tCO₂e/oz gold (2022: 0.16 tCO₂e/oz gold). These figures include emissions from Kouroussa, with full commercial production expected in H2-2024.
Our Scope 1 emissions primarily come from fuel combustion in mining operations, with Scope 2 emissions mainly from electricity purchase for offices. Most of our electricity is generated on-site using diesel, due to limited grid access in remote areas.
Approach to Sustainability
Our sustainability approach includes:
- Emission Reduction Initiatives: We optimise fuel usage, upgrade equipment, and invest in renewable energy.
- Stakeholder Engagement: We engage with employees, suppliers, and communities to promote environmental responsibility.
- Data-driven Decision Making: We use data to identify and implement effective emission reduction strategies.
- Continuous Improvement: We continuously assess and improve our environmental performance, setting ambitious targets and implementing innovative solutions.
