The publication, based on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), provides an overview of results achieved in the areas of production, environmental, social, and governance, and projects the future of operations
Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), located in western Pará, has just released its 2024 Sustainability Report, a document that consolidates the company's main advances, results, and commitments over the past year in the environmental, social, governance, and economic areas. The publication, available here, reaffirms the company's role in promoting sustainable mining in the Amazon, guided by values such as safety, respect, integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement, generating shared value with the region's quilombola and riverside communities.
Produced based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, this is the first report to adopt the standards of the new sectoral journal "GRI 14: Mining Sector 2024," even before it was formally required. The content covers all of the company's material topics, including actions and indicators relevant to MRN's strategic management. "In 2024, we made progress on key milestones that support the continuity of our operations and pave the way for a new cycle of development," emphasizes MRN CEO Guido Germani.
In 2024, MRN achieved significant milestones. As the country's leading bauxite producer, 12.8 million tons of the primary raw material for aluminum were produced last year, 60% of which was destined for the domestic market. The operation was responsible for shipping the ore to three continents: the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Furthermore, more than 6,700 professionals worked directly and indirectly at the company, 85% of whom were local workers.
Environmental responsibility
In the area of sustainability, MRN also presents significant figures: 576,532 seedlings were planted and 379.8 hectares were reforested last year. Furthermore, approximately 2.2 million cubic meters of dry tailings were removed, and 84% of water was reused in its operations. For Vladimir Moreira, MRN's Director of Sustainability and Legal Affairs, these indicators reinforce the company's commitment to sustainable mining practices. "We believe that sustainability is not just a strategic pillar; it is a daily commitment, transversal to all our decisions. We have strengthened policies, processes, and practices that reflect the highest international standards in human rights, carbon emissions, water use, biodiversity, and community relations," he states.
Investments
With an active presence in 62 communities, MRN invested R$42.2 million in social initiatives and programs throughout the year. The purchasing policy prioritizes promoting the local economy: 81% of material expenditures (approximately R$655 million) were made with suppliers in Western Pará. R$62 million was also spent on contracted services in the same region.
Social inclusion and diversity are strategic pillars of the company, with emphasis on the increase in the participation of community members (quilombolas and riverside communities) in the workforce, which rose from 5.3% to 8%, and the increase in the female presence, which rose from 10.5% to 12.8%.
Certifications and recognition
MRN maintained and expanded its portfolio of certifications in 2024, including: ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 37001, ISO 37301, ASI Performance, ASI Chain of Custody, GHG Protocol Gold Seal, and ISPS Code. For Wvagno Ferreira, manager of Performance Management, Risks, and Internal Controls at MRN, these recognitions attest to the company's commitment to the highest ESG standards in the global industry. "Achieving and maintaining these certifications demonstrates that the company not only meets international sustainability standards but also actively contributes to building a more responsible industry aligned with the expectations of shareholders, customers, suppliers, and society," he states.
Innovation and sustainable future
Another highlight is the progress of the West Zone Program (PZO), comprised of three strategic projects: the New Mines Project (PNM), the Transmission Line Project (PLT), and the Tailings System Project (PSR). In 2024, MRN obtained the Preliminary License for the PNM and began implementing the PLT, following the issuance of the Installation License. These projects pave the way for future operations, focusing on efficiency, innovation, and reduced environmental impact.
The year also marked the official structuring of MRN's Innovation department, with the creation of the "Innovation Facilitators" group and the holding of meetings aimed at fostering an innovative culture within the company. An unprecedented mapping of challenges mobilized 17 departments and resulted in 116 identified opportunities, seven of which are already in the Proof of Concept (PoC) structuring phase. "The strengthening of innovation reflects our ambition to incorporate new technologies, processes, and ideas that contribute to expanding the positive impacts of our activities, involving all employees in proposing solutions to real problems in our operations," adds Guido Germani.