Ecological Impacts
Materiality assessment process results Scale:
[0–10], where 0 "Not significant" and 10 "Very significant"
| Boundaries of the Material Topic [GRI 102-46] [GRI 103-1b] |
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| Where the impacts occur: In the area where the mining activity of the company DELPHI-DISTOMON takes place, as well as in protected areas of the Natura network where the RES plants of MYTILINEOS’ subsidiaries operate. |
| By whom are the impacts caused: The impacts are caused by the Metallurgy Business Unit and in particular by the subsidiary company Delphi-DISTOMON, as well as by the wind energy subsidiaries of MYTILINEOS. |
| The management of the topic by MYTILINEOS contributes to Sustainable Development:
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| Topic of increased significance to: |
in the context of their cooperation with MYTILINEOS. |
Management Approach
[GRI 102-11] [GRI 103-2c]
The purpose of this disclosure is to provide specific information and data to all MYTILINEOS’ Stakeholder groups, so that they can understand the Company’s approach, which relies on a combination of elements to prevent, manage and restore the impacts of its activity on land areas, while minimizing any effects on biodiversity.
Key Challenges / Impacts
[GRI 103-1a] [GRI 102-15]
The protection of biodiversity and the restoration of the natural landscape of the land areas used in the Company’s business activities, constitute a substantial challenge for MYTILINEOS in the context of the reduction of ecological impacts and its contribution to sustainable development.
Major risks
[GRI 102-15]
Ineffective prevention of any adverse impacts on the flora and fauna of the wider area of the Company's activities would lead to environmental degradation, raising issues of non-compliance with applicable legislation. In such a case, the consequences for the Company would include the disruption of its business development and growth plans, due to the impact on its reputation and financial position.
Commitment
[GRI 103-2c]
Protection of biodiversity and ecosystems during mining operations and development and operation of RES plants in protected Natura areas, in accordance with the main priority areas of MYTILINEOS’ Environmental Policy.
Risk Management / Control Practices
[GRI 103-2a] [SASB EM-MM-160a.1]
In the Metallurgy Business Unit, the Aluminium of Greece (AoG) plant, in compliance with the applicable legislation (including the plant’s Environmental Terms Approval Decisions), has established a series of prevention and control measures to contain emissions to the natural recipients, thus safeguarding their quality and, consequently, the conditions for the growth of the local flora and fauna. The prevention measures include investments in anti-pollution equipment such as state-of-the-art filters in chimneys and at the discharge points of wastewater treatment plants, installations for the treatment of process gases etc. The Aluminium of Greece plant also undertakes the restoration of the inactive surfaces of the Accumulation Sites for Bauxite Residues and the Inert Waste Disposal Areas, while it has assigned to a specialized external partner the maintenance of the new and old restored waste disposal sites (e.g., old and restored Controlled Landfill for Hazardous Waste, inactive slopes of the Inert Waste Disposal Area and of the limestone quarry). ASI
The control measures include:
- Taking regular groundwater and sea water samples, whose results are confirmed by samples and analyses made by independent bodies.
- Operation of the air quality measuring station located in the Holy Monastery of Hosios Luke of Steiris.
- Assessment and ecological evaluation of the wider area of AoG’s plant, a study that was carried out in 2021 and also took account of the fact that the plant is developed only on land, which however is in direct contact with a sea area of the NATURA 2000 network (pSCI: GR2530007— CORINTHIAN GULF), which is a proposed Site of Community Importance (SCI).
- The evaluation of the ecological status of the Antikyra Bay, in collaboration with the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR).
- The management of all types of hazardous and non-hazardous waste complies with the provisions of the applicable laws, while the disposal of this waste takes place either in the duly licensed sites of the Company or through duly authorized and certified systems / contractors.
Information on the level of operation of critical operating equipment (filters etc.) and measurement equipment (continuous measurement analysts etc.), as well as the results of studies and checks of the physical recipients of the plant’s wider area, carried out by the plant itself and/or by independent bodies, are the subject of regular documented updates that have been requested by the Competent Authorities.
The mining activity of DELPHI-DISTOMON, a MYTILINEOS subsidiary, involves primarily underground quarries in the area of Fokida and is carried out with respect for the biodiversity of the area. Before each new mining activity begins, Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Rehabilitation Plans are carried out and used as a basis for the mining phase as well as for the rehabilitation phase. The extraction and remediation locations are specified in detail, while all mining operations are planned so as to guarantee the least possible alteration of the natural environment and landscape. ASI
Measures taken to prevent significant adverse impacts on the environment and alterations of the natural landscape:
- Use of the existing road network and prohibition of opening up new roads.
- Use of existing access land works and in-site installations.
- Prohibition of depositing on the soil or managing sterile limestone waste from the mining process.
- Systematic wetting of open-air storage areas for bulk materials to suppress dust emission.
- The management of all types of non-hazardous waste complies with the provisions of the applicable laws, while the disposal of this waste takes place only through authorized and certified systems/contractors.
Moreover, a detailed mapping of the form and type of the vegetation is carried out, so that rehabilitation can be based on the unique features of the local ecosystem. The environmental policy of DELPHI-DISTOMON (mytilineos.gr/what-we-do/metallurgy/aluminium-of-greece/) emphasizes its commitment to the protection of biodiversity both in the preparatory construction phase of a project and in the rehabilitation phase, helping to further contain any adverse effects, which are already quite limited in scope and temporary in nature. In this context, an annual monitoring of risks and impacts on biodiversity is carried out in all environmentally licensed sites located in Natura areas. ASI
DELPHI-DISTOMON has been systematically active for nearly 50 years in environmental rehabilitation and all its inactive quarries have been restored. Environmental remediation is carried out by systematically planting approximately 10-15,000 trees per year, while during 2021, 11,550 forest seedlings were planted. ASI
Until today, DELPHI-DISTOMON has planted approximately 1,199,977 trees covering a total afforested area measuring over 1.82 km2. In addition, 98 km of fencing have been installed (to protect the tree planting areas), together with a 740 km long network of watering — irrigation pipes for those trees. ASI
It should also be mentioned that over the last 6 years, on average, 300,000 tons of sterile limestone are produced during the mining process. This quantity is disposed of in already existing sinkholes of surface and underground sites and thus not a single square meter of land has to be reserved for the disposal of this type of waste.
In the Power & Gas Business Unit, with respect to the activities which concern the construction of wind farms located near or inside areas designated as Special Protection Areas, a key prerequisite is the development of the respective environmental impact studies foreseen (specific ecological assessment, annual monitoring of the protected area), to confirm that there are no impacts or, in cases where there are impacts, to describe the measures which may be adopted in order for these impacts to be avoided. In cases where measures cannot be taken, the project is redesigned. In line with the above, the movement of animals in the locations of the Company’s activities is not obstructed as there is no fencing, and the disturbance to the local population of birds is negligible, while where this is necessary, technical systems for the protection of birds are installed. Concerning the restoration of the environment in connection with projects for new wind farms, the Company implements the obligation to reforest areas of a size equal to that of the project and, where possible, to also restore illegal or inactive quarries, in accordance with the applicable laws and the instructions of the corresponding Forest Departments. In this context, 617,700 m2 of land have been already been afforested. An additional 37 forestry projects with an equivalent afforestation area of 289,900 m2 are expected be implemented by the end of 2022.
Regarding the project for the construction of the new thermal plant (CCGT II) and its accompanying interconnection projects, in Agios Nikolaos, Viotia, 89,100 m2 of land have already been afforested and an additional 80,900 m2 will be afforested in 2022.
For all implemented afforestation projects, there also the obligation to provide maintenance and irrigation for 3 to 5 years depending on the project, which is constantly respected.
At the same time, in the framework of the Environmental Management Systems implemented by the Company (based on ISO 14001), in addition to internal inspections, the Company is also subject to inspections by independent third parties.
Finally, MYTILINEOS is a member of the Business Council for Sustainable Development of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), which is a member of the Business for Nature international coalition for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems. The SEV Business Council for Sustainable Development, as a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), after co-signing the Lisbon Declaration, paved the way for Greek companies to contribute to tackling the global challenge of environmental balance and sustainability and to highlight the strategies they are implementing, the commitments they have made as well as the good practices they adopt and follow.
DELPHI-DISTOMON has been systematically active for nearly 50 years in environmental rehabilitation
Results
[GRI 103-3a-ii] [SASB EM-CM-160a.2]
- During 2021, no incidents occurred involving a deterioration of biodiversity as a result of the Company’s activities, while the work scheduled for the restoration of areas used in mining operations was carried out as planned.
- Concerning mining operations, at the end of 2021: (a) the total area of land used for mining operations stood at 86,000 m2, reduced by 28.3% compared with 2020, (b) the total area of land in the process of remediation stood at 153,000 m2, decreased by 18.2% from the previous year, while (c) the area of land whose soil has been rehabilitated since the beginning of the mining activity, as a percentage of the total land area of land used for mining operations, stood at 84.34%, increased by 1.24% compared to 2020. ASI
- Regarding the construction and operation of the wind farms and the new thermal power plant, the total area of land for which the reforestation process has been completed stood at 706,900 m2 (617,700 m2 and 89,100 m2 respectively), while three avifauna monitoring studies were carried out.
The table below lists the very limited impacts of the construction and operation of the Company’s wind farms located in protected areas (e.g., Natura 2000 Network and archaeological sites ASI).
| Operational sites under lease by MYTILINEOS in protected areas [GRI 304-1] | Biodiversity value of protected area [GRI 304-2] |
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| 1. Wind Farm in the locality "Koryfi" of the Municipality of Sintiki (Regional Unit of Serres), with a power output of 17.0MW, in operation, owned by the company Eoliki Sidirokastrou, situated at an average distance of 1.5 km from the outer boundaries of the Natura 2000 area "GR 1260001″ and at a distance or of more than 7.0 km from the area "GR 1260008″. Concerns the lease of 0.802 km2 of land from Public Properties Company S.A. Area of operational site: 0.12 km2. | The "GR 1260001″ area encompasses wetlands and mountainous ecosystems of great national and international importance. It supports rich —in terms of both numbers and diversity— bird populations, including rare and endangered species. The wetland is of great importance as a feeding ground for birds of prey nesting in the nearby forests, as a winter site and stopover site for migratory birds, as well as a breeding ground for a significant number of birds. The increased biological productivity, the existence of rare plant species and of equally rare and diverse fauna (fish, mammals, amphibians, reptiles), increase even more the area’s biodiversity value. As was the case in 2018, 2019 and 2020, an annual avifauna monitoring study was carried out in the area of the Wind Farms in 2021 and is pending submission (usually within the first six months of the next year), to the competent Department of Protected Areas of the Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity Management of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. No impacts on the protected area, as the operation areas of the Wind Farms are located in the area’s peripheral zone, away from the Priority Habitats. An automated bird collision avoidance system has been installed in the second one of these Wind Farms. No bird killing incident has been observed. |
| 2. Wind Farm in the locality "Koryfi (Expansion)" of the Municipality of Sintiki (Regional Unit of Serres), with a power output of 15.0 MW, in operation, owned by the company Aeoliki Sidirokastrou, situated at an average distance of 1.0 km from the outer boundaries of the Natura 2000 area "GR 1260001″ and at a distance of more than 7.5 km from the area "GR 1260008″. Concerns the lease of 0.027 km2 of land from the Municipality of Sintiki. Area of operational site: 0.035 km2. | |
| 3. Wind Farm in the locality "Pyrgos" of the Municipality of Karystos (Regional Unit of Evia), with a power output of 15.3 MW, in trial operation since April 2019, owned by the company Eoliki Evias Pyrgos, situated as follows: (a) At a maximum distance of 1,000 m from the outer boundaries of the area with code number "GR 2420012″, which is the "Mt Ochi, Coastal Area and Islets" Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds. (b) At a maximum distance of 200 m from the outer boundaries of the area "GR 2420001″, which is the Special Management Area" (SMA) "Mt Ochi — Karystos Plain — River — Cape Kafireas — Marine coastal area" of the Natura 2000 Network. Two (2) Wind Turbines are located within this area. Lease of 0.0579 km2 from private land owners holding the ownership rights to the "Dafniza-Kalipeti" private forest. Area of operational site: 0.103 km2. | In the Natura area "GR2120012″ (Mt Ochi, Coastal Area and Islets), 55 avifauna species listed in Annex I of Directive 79/409/EEC have been recorded, together with 38 important species of migratory birds. The protected area "GR2420001″ (Mt Ochi — Karystos Plain — River — Cape Kafireas — Marine coastal area) is mainly mountainous, with a relatively wild and difficult to access coastline in the north-eastern foothills of Mt Ochi. 16 habitats in this area are listed in Annex I of Directive 92/43/EEC, of which Habitat 1120* — Marine vegetation areas with Posidonia (Posidonion oceanicae) is a priority habitat. Four (4) species of reptiles, two (2) of invertebrate and two (2) of mammals are listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC and in article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC. The two species of mammals (Mediterranean seal and otter) are priority species. As was the case in 2018, 2019 and 2020, an annual monitoring study of avifauna was carried out in 2021, which assesses the limited effects of the test operation of the Wind Farm on the avifauna of the area. Limited impacts on the avifauna of the area due to the operation of the Wind Farm. No bird killing incident has been observed. |
| 4. Wind Farm in the locality ‘Chelona’ of the Municipality of Karystos (Regional Unit of Evia) with a power output of 8.1 MW, in trial operation since October 2019, owned by the company Eoliki Evias Chelona, situated at a maximum distance of 200 m from the outer boundaries of the Special Protection Area (SPA) for Birds ‘Mt Ochi, Coastal Zone and Islets’, with code number "GR 2420012″, belonging to NATURA 2000 network. Seven (7) Wind Turbines are located within this area. Area of operational site: 0.130 km2. | The Natura area "GR24200012″ (Mt Ochi, Coastal Zone and Islets) is mainly mountainous, with a relatively wild and difficult to access coastline in the steep northern and eastern foothills of Mt Ochi. 55 species of birds listed in Annex I of Directive 79/409/EEC have been recorded, together with 38 important species of migratory birds. The species that characterize the Special Protection Area (SPA) are Puffinus yelkouan (Yelkouan shearwater), Larus audouinii (Audouin's gull), Hieraaetus fasciatus (Bonelli’s eagle), Bubo Benelli’s (Eurasian eagle-owl) and Emberiza caesia (Cretzchmar’s bunting), whereas its delimitation species are Phalacrocorax aristotelis (great cormorant), Circaetus gallicus (short-toed snake eagle), Falco eregrinus (peregrine falcon), Apus melba (pallid swift), Lullula arborea (woodlark), Anthus campestris (tawny pipit). As was the case in 2018 and in 2020, an annual avifauna monitoring study was carried out in 2021 and is pending submission (usually within the first six months of the next year), to the competent Department of Protected Areas of the Directorate of Natural Environment and Biodiversity Management of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. Limited impacts on the avifauna of the area due to the operation of the Wind Farm. An automated bird collision avoidance system has been installed in this Wind Farm. No bird killing incident has been observed. |