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MRN Launches Sustainability Report 2023, Highlighting Operational Excellence, Robust Production, and Socio-Environmental Programs in the Amazon.
MRN releases the Sustainability Report 2023, reaffirming its commitment to responsible mining practices in the Amazon. The company provides a detailed analysis of the results achieved in production areas, as well as in environmental and social aspects, demonstrating conscious management across all its operations.
In the document, MRN highlights its sustainable initiatives aimed at continuously improving its practices and impacts. The report emphasizes not only the growth of production but also how it maintains a sustainable management model in line with sustainability principles. Throughout the year, the company implemented several socio-environmental programs that reinforce its responsibility and engagement in the preservation and development of the Amazon region.
In the year it celebrates its 45th anniversary, Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), based in the industrial district of Porto Trombetas, in the municipality of Oriximiná, western Pará, officially launched its Sustainability Report 2023. This document, now available on the website, presents an extensive overview of the initiatives and results obtained in the past year, underscoring the company’s commitment to positioning itself as a reference of operational excellence, sustainability, and social responsibility. As highlighted by Guido Germani, CEO of MRN, ‘the initiatives and results presented demonstrate something that has accompanied us since the beginning of our journey in 1979: the commitment to sustainability’.
Sustainability in the Virtuous Cycle of the Amazon
Actions guided by sustainability are part of a culture embedded in the virtuous cycle of the Amazon, where one action supports another, forming a responsible present and a positive legacy for the future. In 2023, the company maintained a robust production, reaching over 12 million tons of bauxite, supplying both the domestic market and international markets in America, Europe, and Asia.
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A hidden mine in the Andes valued at nearly R$ 1 trillion is starting to attract global attention, containing copper, gold, and silver, and raises an intriguing question: why do Argentina and Chile need to act together to exploit this gigantic wealth?
Preservation and Respect for Biodiversity
Preservation and respect for Amazonian biodiversity remain priorities for MRN. Last year, 13.92 wild fauna specimens were rescued and returned to their natural habitat, in addition to 16,563 saved plant specimens. The company actively invested in the recovery of mined areas, using 4,893 kg of seeds acquired from riverside and quilombola communities. In total, 410,758 seedlings were produced in the MRN Forest Nursery, with 49.91 of them belonging to endangered, protected, or vulnerable species. Reforestation was carried out over 318.8 hectares, planting 394,512 seedlings of 98 native species, involving the active participation of 60 local community members.
Inclusion and Diversity at MRN
Approximately 76% of MRN’s employees come from municipalities in western Pará, highlighting the commitment to regional development. To foster a more inclusive team, the ‘MRN for Everyone’ program has made significant advances, particularly in increasing the representation of women and quilombola individuals among employees. The female presence rose to 10.5% and quilombola presence to 5.3%. In 2023, specific talent banks were created for women and young apprentices, along with organizing events that promote awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The ‘Women Leader’ program, for example, trained 600 women from the region, empowering them to assume leadership positions.
Sustainable Commitment and Socioeconomic Development
Respect for employees has guaranteed MRN’s inclusion in the list of the top five best companies to work for in northern Brazil for the third consecutive time, according to the Grace Place to Work (GPTW) ranking. In the Industry category, MRN ranks among the 50 best companies in the country to work for. In 2023, MRN developed several social responsibility initiatives, with a total investment of around R$ 49.6 million in socio-environmental programs and projects focused on education, culture, health, safety, environment, and income generation. One example is the Higher Education Support Program (PAES), which offers scholarships and financial support.
Inspirational Testimonials and Sustainability in Action
Kathe Santos, a pedagogy student at the Federal University of Western Pará (UFOPA) and a beneficiary of the program, stated that the support was essential for her permanence at university and for her transformation through education. MRN structured its work into three main fronts: engagement with communities, corporate social responsibility, and socio-environmental licensing and management. Maria do Socorro Pereira, a participant in the Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) Project, highlighted the benefits of the project for sustainable development and entrepreneurial autonomy, combining traditional knowledge with opportunities provided by MRN.
According to Vladimir Moreira, MRN’s Director of Sustainability and Legal Affairs, the Sustainability Report 2023 not only presents the company’s results but also proves that sustainable development in the Amazon is possible with respect, dialogue, and transparency. Mining is in constant evolution, and it is crucial to be aware of the challenges. Balancing operations with social responsibility, forming partnerships that create value for all, is essential. The Sustainability Report reaffirms MRN’s commitment to social, environmental, and governance actions, promoting an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) culture in its operations, always emphasizing sustainability.
Source: © tiago.furtado@temple.com.br
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