Sustainability

Belmont is internationally recognized not only for its gems of excellence but also for its exceptional work in sustainable mining.

The Company supports and runs a number of programs to promote environmental education and the social development of the communities near the mining area.

Belmont has its own reforestation team led by an environmental engineer that maintains a nursery to raise native trees for reforestation. Approximately 3,700 acres of Atlantic Rain Forest is protected by the company to preserve the local wildlife, 100% of the water used is treated, 99% of its labor force is local, 75% of its lapidary are women and the company spends over 400 hours each year in training its professionals.

Through this systematic commitment to its community and to the environment, the search for the enchanting green of emeralds happens with no harm to nature’s vital green.

Whats is a sustainable activity?

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The most widespread definition of a sustainable activity is that it must meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations. This concept presents one of the basic principles of sustainability: the long-term vision, the scenarios projected for future generations considering the intersection of social, environmental and economic perspectives.

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Sustainable mining at Belmont

At Belmont mine, both in the open pit and underground mining process, the premise of sustainability is strongly present. Belmont is proud to apply the most current technologies aimed at development more efficient production systems and processes.

Utilizing such technology directly implies not only in better operation but also in superior environmental preservation.

Belmont’s processes categorically integrate all the departments involved, from the exploration stage, mining all the way to the cutting of its emeralds considering the socio-environmental variables at all stages of the mining cycle, thus promoting sustainability in its daily activities.

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Belmont Inititives for the environment

Belmont is constantly investing in solutions to minimize the volume of material removed in the mine; reduce tailings deposits; minimize and optimize water consumption, all, to reduce environmental impacts. The company invests in research and new processes that increase the recovery of ore, including the search for new alternatives, such as its reuse.

Strict monitoring parameters are adopted throughout the production process, ensuring that there will be no impact on the environment without appropriate mitigating measures.

Removal of any vegetation relevant in the mining process requires an authorization granted by a competent government body. Only with the proper authorization in hand, the suppression may be carried out, gradually, allowing a timely displacement of flora and fauna to the neighboring areas. Any removal of vegetation in Belmont is carried out in a planned manner, under the supervision of qualified professionals, so that the trees to be removed do not affect the vegetation that will be preserved.

Belmont is committed to rescuing the local flora by collecting seeds from their place of origin to later be replanted in an ecologically similar area.

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Additionally the Company has a number of environmental control programs to address the following aspects: preventive and/or corrective measures for situations where there pollution risks arising from the emission of noise, liquid effluents, atmospheric effluents, transient deposit, final disposal or the treatment given to solid residues of industrial origin, geotechnical risks, changes in the dynamics and quality of water, all in light of current legislation, in compliance with the most significant standards, and market practices.

Among the main measures adopted by Belmont, the following stand out: protection of the wild fauna and flora; monitoring and control of liquid effluents and surface water; solid waste management, and rational use of water.

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Initiatives to reduce environmental impact at belmont

Belmont adopts strict monitoring parameters throughout the production process, ensuring that there will be no impact on the environment without appropriate measures.

The Company has a number of environmental control programs:

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Wildlife Protection

Belmont understands that the orderly planning of actions is essential to the sustainable use of natural resources. For this reason, the Company has been carrying out for years the Wild Fauna Monitoring Program in order to survey, monitor, identify and measure the outcomes of mining on the local fauna.

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Monitoring liquid effluents and surface water

The company adopts an effluent control program in its mines, to properly treat and dispose the liquid effluents, mainly oily, sanitary and industrial in accordance with the most recent regulations.

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Solid waste Management

The Solid Waste Management Program – known in Belmont as “PGRS” covers everything from the generation to the final destination of waste. The company is committed to the management of the waste generated, seeking the best solutions for the disposal of its waste.

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Controlled disposal of sterile waste

Belmont’s Sterile Waste Pile, also known as PDE, is developed respecting all the technical guidelines of the mining project. In addition, the pile is systematically and rigorously monitored in order to maintain suitable geotechnical and environmental conditions.

The PDE also has internal and surface drainage systems, as well applied methods for revegetation and reintegration to the landscape.

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Rational development of the mine

The development of the Belmont mine takes place pragmatically, following the best engineering techniques available, following careful planning and high technical expertise.

In open-pit mining, the operation takes place in a descending manner, in benches with a previously defined regular geometry, which results in perfectly stable slopes, with the maximum use of material (ore), the smallest generation of waste possible, and safe for machine and equipment operators.

As for the underground mine, galleries are planned in “chambers and pillars” and “cutting and filling”. In the first case, it leaves pre-established portions of rock to act as support, and in the second case, filling the voids with sterile material.

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Rational use of water

Water is one of the most valuable resources in the environment and Belmont understands it must be used rationally.

The company has a number of measures for the rational use of water such as: the reuse of water pumped from the Emerald Underground Mine; monitoring water pipes to prevent leaks; preventive and corrective maintenance of water pumps, in addition to raising awareness/education of its employees through lectures, events and workshops on water consumption and its rational use.

Monitoring and maintenance of the drainage system

The Belmont mine has a drainage system throughout its operational area. Systematic maintenance of this system is performed through monitoring, clearing of channels, and the removal of sediments to reestablish the capacity of the basins.

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Control of atmospheric effluents

In order to ensure air quality Belmont controls the emission of atmospheric effluents through the minimization of dust on unpaved roads, especially in areas where trucks are moved to load ore and/or waste with the water truck; Minimization of smoke emissions from diesel engines, through periodic maintenance of equipment; and enclosure of areas during emerald processing.

Control of noise and vibration levels

Belmont continuously monitor its emission of noise and vibration to only operate within the limits established by the legislation.

Vegetation Suppression

Belmont’s fauna

Belmont has been carrying out the Wild Fauna Monitoring Program for years in order to survey, monitor, identify and measure the outcomes of mining on the local fauna.

During the Fauna Monitoring Program, species from three groups have been identified: Avifauna related to birds, Herpetofauna related to frogs, snakes and lizards and Mastofauna related to mammals. Among these groups there are many common species, that is, those that are easily found even in the city, but there are also rare or endangered species that correspond to those species that have difficulty adapting to altered environments.

In Belmont’s area of operation 11 rare or endangered species were identified and they gain special attention and exclusive measures for their conservation, such as educational (educating the community) and conservation initiatives (planting and preserving the native trees).

Through the Fauna Monitoring Program, it became evident that the Company’s operation does not interfere with the local ecological dynamics, as the latest monitoring shows no interference with the local fauna population. In other words, the conservation practices of Belmont occur in such a way that the quality of life and the well-being of the local fauna is guaranteed and improved, thus, the protection of biological diversity is also safeguarded.

Herpetofauna Group
Aplastodiscus cavicula species

The species is extremely rare and can be found in southeastern Brazil between Santa Tereza in Espírito Santo and Juiz de Fora in Minas Gerais. Their habitat is usually between primary and secondary forests, in clearings inside the forests and on the borders of small streams, where they build their subterranean nests.

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Avifauna Group
Spizaetus melanoleucus species

The species is found on edges of conserved forests and gallery forests and they are found flying high where they can visualize their target on the ground diving towards it.

Avifauna Group
Spizaetus tyrannus species

A bird of forestry habit, it is tolerant to small disturbances in the environment and flies over clearings and edges of forests in search of prey. A species that needs extensive areas to survive.

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Avifauna Group
Jacamaralcyon tridactyla species

The “cuitelão” is a species of bird that although it is able to survive in degraded areas, it has become rare. The species is found in small areas of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, São Paulo and Bahia. They are found in dry forests associated with small streams.

Avifauna Group
Drymophila ochropyga species

The red-backed hatchet is a poorly sighted bird, according to the IUCN, it is suspected that it is declining rapidly due to continued human invasion.

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Avifauna Group
Primolius maracana species

The species is seen on the edges of woods and gallery woods where it looks for seeds to feed. It is highly coveted for animal trafficking, which indicates one of the reasons for the population decline, as well as deforestation being one of the causes of its disappearance in some areas.

Mammalian Group
Chrysocyon brachyurus species

The “lobo-guará” is the largest species of South American canid, measuring between 95 and 115 cm in length apart from its tail, weighing between 20 and 30 kilos. Its main features are its long, slender legs, long, reddish-orange fur and large ears. The species has twilight-nocturnal life patterns, are generally solitary and join in pairs only in the mating season.

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Mammalian Group
Leopardus guttulus species

This “wild cat”, for many years was considered as Leopardus trigrinus, is currently classified as a valid species and then renamed. Its coverage area is not very defined, but it is found between the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado domains. The species is always found at low or very low population densities.

Mammalian Group
Puma concolor species

The puma is the second largest feline in Brazil, it can be found in forests, savannas and altered environments such as plantations and pastures in all Brazilian biomes. It is considered the living mammal with the most extensive distribution. The drastic reduction in the availability of habitats due to uncontrolled urban growth or increased anthropogenic activity and the decrease in prey, has led the species to be frequently found in cities and homes, attacking domestic animals.

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Mammalian Group
Puma yagouaroundi species

The jaguarundi is a feline that occupies a wide range of open and closed habitats such as deserts, salt marshes, swamps and forests, it is one of the most tolerant cats to changes made by human action. Considered as a small feline, it is usually found on land, but it can also be found on trees.

Mammalian Group
Callicebus nigrifrons species

The guigo is a widely identified primate in the southeast, present mainly in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and east of Rio de Janeiro. Its habitat is exclusively in the Atlantic Forest, both in mature forests and in disturbed fragments. They have relatively small family groups of a maximum of 5 (five) individuals.

The Belmont area

Belmont has approximately 3,700 acres of preserved areas. Of these areas, 78% are of perpetual conservation, consisting of legal reserve and environmental conservation areas.

Belmont has approximately 6.2 times more preserved areas than the total area occupied by the company’s operating unit.

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The mining process

Belmont is committed to rescuing the local flora by collecting seeds from their place of origin to later be replanted in an ecologically similar area.

The nursery

The company promotes the rescue of local flora, which involves the collection of seeds and plant specimens to later be replanted in an ecologically similar area, when some suppression of native vegetation is needed.

The Belmont Group Seedling Nursery is located at Belmont Farm, with a useful area of approximately 22,600 sqf. The nursery not only prepares the specimens to be replanted but it also promotes initiatives for environmental education.

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Environmental education

In order to promote environmental education, the company regularly promotes activities with its employees and the local community. The activities developed for each type of audience are contextualized and designed to consolidate values as well as individual and collective actions in relation to the environment and based on the local reality.

These initiatives on behalf of the environment involve lectures, workshops, events and meetings, capable of establishing in the individuals the sense of belonging and the impact of assuming positive habits. From that moment on, these individuals become part of a greater purpose, with mindsets to act as agents and promoting constructive change in their groups and neighborhoods.

In the last 2 years, Belmont’s Environmental Education activities has reached an impressive 2,600 individuals in 58 different events.

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Environmental Awareness Event with local community.

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Environmental Awareness Event with local school children.

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Event with employees to teach them about the Ecological Pyramid and applying it to their daily lives.

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Workshop on Environmental Perception with local school children, introducing them to the City’s Natural Park.

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Workshop with employees introducing them to the correct disposal of waste for recycling purposes.

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Workshop for choosing the mascot of the Fauna Monitoring Program, with the local school children.

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Lecture for employees and members of the community, introducing them to the environmental aspects of mining.

Tecnology For Emerald Recovery

Belmont continuously invests in technology and over the years has become a benchmark for the industry due to its thorough geological assessment methods to its mining processes and cutting of emeralds.

The company has mastered a pioneer technology of processing minerals through an optical sorter, a computerized system capable of electronically identifying and selecting the emeralds. Such technology allowed for a better recovery rate in addition to replacing the wearying work of hand picking the emeralds.

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Then:

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Now:

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TThe Optical Sorter

The optical sorting instrument used by Belmont is customized to identify the green color of emeralds among the falling rocks from a conveyor belt, triggering an air blast that moves them into a safe box.

The process is fascinating and has become a benchmark for the mining industry.

After sorting, the emerald-bearing minerals are transported to Belmont’s own cutting facility.