GRI G4-DMA Materials | G4-DMA Biodiversity | G4-DMA Emissions | G4-DMA Effluents and waste | G4-DMA Products and services | G4-DMA Compliance | G4-DMA Overall

Eternit and its subsidiaries follow rigorous safety standards at their industrial units that comply with all management guidelines. Eternit works hard to reduce any adverse environmental impacts and to maximize positive ones.

Environmental management at plants

Eternit, Precon and SAMA operate in accordance with the guidelines of the Environmental Management System, which includes specific controls based on current standards and legislation. The companies, through certification, seek to comply with today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. GRI G4-EN27

SAMA was the world’s first chrysotile mining company to comply with and receive certification under the ISO 14001 standard.

The organization’s strategy includes preventive measures to avoid impacts on the environment. If the environment is affected, the organization follows the Emergency Plan defined at the corporate level. All applicable legal requirements are controlled to ensure full compliance.

In 2014, the company recorded five oil spills from trucks and auxiliary extraction equipment at SAMA in the combined amount of 737 liters. The spills occurred in the mining area, which is not located near any bodies of water. The procedures followed complied with the article described in the work instruction IT-0090. The oil spilled on the soil was covered with sawdust, collected, stored in drums and sent for co-processing. No other company of the Eternit Group recorded any spills. GRI G4-EN24

With its investments always guided by the principle of responsible development, Tégula has sold, since 2011, wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC^®) for the construction of timber roofing structures.

Through its Zero Waste project, the consumption of materials at the fiber-cement plants is optimized through various initiatives aligned with the concept of the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). At the industrial units, all material from breakage or that does not comply with standards is returned to the production process, which includes office materials and packaging. Hazardous waste is sent to certified companies that are authorized to receive and properly dispose of said waste. Recyclable material is separated and sent to cooperatives and/or recycling companies. GRI G4-EN23, G4-EN24, G4-EN25

Disposal method (in tons)	Type of waste	Consolidated
Reuse	Hazardous	107.12
Recycling	Non-hazardous	1,422.50
	Hazardous	122.44
Recovery	Non-hazardous	72.98
Incineration	Hazardous	66.63
Landfills	Non-hazardous	857.09
	Hazardous	16.56
Industrial landfill	Hazardous	44.71
Co-processing	Hazardous	263.47
Other	Hazardous	10.63
	Non-hazardous	12,378.92
	Total	15,363.05

Meanwhile, SAMA monitors the concentration of chrysotile asbestos dust in work environments and surrounding areas are monitored for noise and vibration levels for all blasting conducted at the mine using three seismographs installed at predetermined points (in the mine, plant and city). Furthermore, black smoke emissions are measured based on the colorimetric scale (Ringelmann Method).

Additionally, overburden (fiberless material) is deposited in banks for later reuse and slopes are recovered with native vegetation, while a portion of the material is reused by the Sambaíba Project to make handicrafts.

All ore is dry processed in enclosed equipment with efficient aspiration and air filtering systems utilizing modern sleeve filters capable of filtering more than 2.3 cubic meters per hour. Regular monitoring confirms the efficiency of this system, with 100% of all work environments registering fiber concentrations less than or equal to 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter. Brazilian regulations establish a maximum limit of 2.0 fibers per cubic centimeter. In the project’s surroundings, the concentration of chrysotile fiber dust is less than 0.003 fibers per cubic centimeter. This quality is assured by on-line monitoring of air filter vents. GRI G4-EN21

Other actions adopted by the Group focus on reusing materials and on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and energy consumption and solid waste generation.

Reuse of Materials GRI G4-EN2, G4-EN28

GRI G4-EN1

MATERIALS USED BY WEIGHT AND VOLUME/CONSOLIDATED (IN TONS, EXCEPT WHERE STATED OTHERWISE)		2014	2013	2012	Unit	Direct	Non- renewable	Recycled
Fiber-cement roofing and construction solutions	Chrysotile asbestos	61,629.77	59,467.35	54,982.83	t	X	X
	Lime	125,149.41	130,529.01	131,695.95	t	X	X
	Recycled pulp (newspaper)	9,990.58	9,634.84	8,949.20	t	X		X
	Bleached pulp	28.68	-	62.97	t	X	X
	Non-bleached pulp	3,474.60	2,733.00	2,223.79	t	X	X
	PVA	1,763.80	1,477.00	1,211.51	t	X	X
	Cement	446,887.20	435,839.09	397,912.00	t	X	X
	Steel coils	-	-	271.60	t	X	X
	Filler	13,769.93	13,772.13	14,634.13	t	X		X
	Lime residue (Lama Call)	-	-	2,574.84	t	X	X
	Polyethylene residue	648.15	534.30	575.30	t	X	X
	Aluminum paint	5,448.00	4,967.50	6,050.00	L	X	X
	Ceramic paint	172.85	-	-	L	X	X
	Wood offcuts1	-	2,649.00	9,353.45	t	X		X
	Pine sheet	1,962.38	2,498.00	2,096.16	t	X		X
	Wood (pallets)1	18,135.45	20,523.57	27,721.52	m3	X		X
	Other net materials	1,327,259.64	1,686,836.20	1,259,967.54	L		X
	Other	2,828.83	2,204.91	4,820.05		X		X
Concrete roofing and accessories	Cement	42,913.31	47,404.03	50,407.19	t	X	X
	Sand	185,043.54	206,813.56	224,096.76	t	X	X
	Filler	330.00	460.00	435.77	t	X	X
	Pigment	469.42	414.84	356.37	t	X	X
	Varnish	195.77	201.49	220.43	t	X	X
	Soya lecithin	3.93	28.87	38.35	t		X
	Pine battens	13.17	9.60	97.64	t		X
	Pine framework	37.36	137.53	197.95	t		X
	Stretch film	22.16	48.00	55.75	t		X
	Other net materials	480,593.34	491,121.08	648,798.12	L		X

1. Reduction in wood consumption due to internal reuse by plants.

MATERIALS USED BY WEIGHT AND VOLUME/CONSOLIDATED (IN TONS, EXCEPT WHERE STATED OTHERWISE)		2014	2013	2012	Unit	Direct	Non- renewable	Recycled
Chrysotile mining	Ore	5,451,253.00	4,948,802.42	4,716,441.00	t	X	X
	Sterile rock	16,085,642.00	15,522,930.00	14,561,512.00	t	X	X
	Plastic	292.37	262.34	276.30	t	X		X
	Wood (pallets)1	3,437.35	3,468.08	3,627.01	t			X
	Sundry items	17,165.97	16,527.09	15,147.29	t		X
	Concertina bags for packaging	629.72	587.07	553.70	t	X		X

Consolidated emissions data for all GHG emissions and scopes

SAMA	EMISSIONS IN METRIC TONS			EMISSIONS IN METRIC TONS OF CO2 EQUIVALENT (TCO2E)
GHG	Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3	Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3
CO2	50.075,6	10,499.1	-	50,075.6	10,499.1	-
CH4	61.5	-	-	1,537.3	-	-
N2O	2.1	-	-	624.3	-	-
HFCs	0.6	-	-	882.5	-	-
PFCs	-	-	-	-	-	-
SF6	-	-	-	-	-	-
NF3	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	-	-	-	53,119.7	10,499.1	-

SAMA	2012			2013			2014
GHG (tons)	Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3	Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3	Scope 1	Scope 2	Scope 3
Total	35,240.1	4,786.4	-	53,067.5	6,813.0	-	53,119.7	10,499.1	-

Energy consumption

• In 2014, SAMA continued implementation of the Energy Management System ISO 50001 to support the more efficient use of its main energy matrixes (electricity, diesel and LPG). It also continued to carry out automation projects on the lighting of its conveyor belts with the expectation of reducing its power consumption at these sites by 90%, and completed installing the new capacitor bank to increase the power factor and reduce losses. The mining unit is analyzing the use of LED lighting and the installation of small solar power plants to supply electricity to specific areas.
• The Eternit and Precon units conducted campaigns to encourage reductions in their energy consumption that involved posting signs next to light switches, while at the Eternit plant in Rio de Janeiro signs were posted next to computer screens.

Water Consumption GRI G4-EN22, G4-EN26

• There is no discharge of water originating from production processes at the Eternit and Precon plants: the water resulting from the production process is stored in decantation tanks and later used in a closed recycling circuit. This means that water loss occurs only through evaporation.
• The water used in administrative buildings passes through the wastewater treatment station and is reused to irrigate green areas.
• After treatment, SAMA’s wastewater is routed to the stabilization pond before being discharged into the Amianto Stream, a body of water that is subjected to regular chemical analyses. Water from the pits, which must be emptied for the mining process to continue, is sent to Lagoa das Tartarugas and Lagoa do Jacaré (both decantation ponds) and discharged into water bodies (Caju Lake and Amianto Stream) or used to wet roads, industrial waste and fronts to be blasted to avoid the release of dust.
• At the Tégula units in Atibaia (SP), São José do Rio Preto (SP) and Içara (SC), the water used to wash varnishing equipment is reused in the tile production process.
• The Eternit and Precon units conducted campaigns to encourage lower water consumption that involved posting signs in restrooms and break rooms, distributing stickers to raise employee awareness at home and an e-mail marketing campaign.

With these initiatives, the Eternit Group did not identify any significant negative environmental impacts on its supplier chain during the year. The Company also did not incur any significant fines or non-monetary sanctions in the environmental area. GRI G4-EN29

Investments in environmental protection - Consolidated (R$ thousand) GRI G4-EN31

	Cost breakdown	2014	2013	2012
Costs with solid waste disposal, treating air emissions and expenses with mitigating the following items:	Treatment and disposal of solid waste	1,838	1,865	1,114
	Treatment of air emissions	840	404	529
	Emissions certificates	42	2	166
	Depreciation, materials and maintenance	953	923	1,030
	Environmental liability insurance	29	30	-
	Total cleaning costs	1,456	1,390	976
	Total	5,158	4,614	3,815
Costs for prevention and environmental management based on expenses related to the following items:	Education and training	346	81	116
	Third-party environmental management services	532	418	637
	Third-party certification	97	96	122
	General environmental management activities	200	54	2
	Research and development	-	1	-
	Expenses with installation of clean technologies	-	4	-
	Other costs with environmental management	1,470	1,862	2,446
	Total	2,645	2,516	2,446
	Grand Total	7,803	7,130	6,261

Preservation and management of biodiversity impacts

SAMA maintains a forest reserve of 2,500 hectares that is preserved and isolated from any significant environmental impacts. The area harbors a variety of wildlife, some at risk of extinction, and riparian forests. The QC Story approach is used to evaluate environmental aspects and impacts to ensure that any risks are minimized. GRI G4-EN12

GRI G4-EN11, G4-EN13
Location	Colombo Plant - PR	Area description	The Eternit Colombo area is part of the Iraí Environmental Preservation Area (APA). APAs are conservation units of sustained use established by the government to protect and conserve the environmental quality and natural systems with a view to improving the quality of life of the local population and protecting regional ecosystems. Located on the eastern side of the Curitiba metropolitan area, the Iraí State Environmental Preservation Area extends across 115 km2 and five municipalities. The characteristics of the natural environment of the Iraí APA justify the permanent efforts made to preserve it. Located in the foothills of the western slope of the Serra do Mar mountain range in the state of Paraná, its flat areas constitute a transition area between Moist Ombrophilous Forests, also known as Araucaria Forests, and Dense Ombrophilous Forests, and include one of the last remaining areas of floodplain.
Status	Environmental Reserve
Study conducted by	SPVC - mapping of flora and fauna
Time property owned	Since 1975
Size of built area (m2)	58,377
Size of preservation area (m2)	327,000
Equivalent area	7.1 soccer fields
Location	Simões Filho Plant - BA	Area description	Eternit’s Simões Filho area is part of the sub-basin of the Itamboatá River and of the Joanes/Ipitanga Environmental Protection Area (APA), which is an important source of water resources that are part of the water supply system for the Salvador metropolitan area and is one of the main protection areas of the Recôncavo Norte Baiano. Located in the state’s southeastern region, in the Salvador metropolitan area, the Joanes/Ipitanga APA covers a total of 64,463 ha, which corresponds to 644.63 km2 and encompasses the municipalities of Camaçari, Simões Filho, Lauro de Freitas, São Francisco do Conde, Candeias, São Sebastião do Passe, Salvador and Dias D’Ávila. The Joanes/Ipitanga APA region features a hot and wet climate and abundant water resources. Its beautiful beaches with dunes and restinga vegetation are home to many species of fauna and flora. Mangrove forests, which are rich in biodiversity, are found in the estuary of the Joanes River. The APA also harbors remaining patches of Atlantic Forest with a wide diversity of avifauna.
Status	Environmental Reserve
Study conducted by	Fund. Terra Mirim - Mapping of flora and fauna
Time area under control	Since 1967
Size of built area (m2)	53,000
Size of preservation area  (m2)	801,000
Equivalent area	98.2 soccer fields
Location	SAMA - Minaçu - GO	Area description	SAMA’s concession area is formed by a total of 45 km2, but approximately 80% of this area is under its protection in the form of a preserved Forest Reserve and Legal Reserve that are located next to the remaining 20% of area, which is used for open-pit mining activities, such as ore extraction, processing and overburden and waste disposal piles. The Forest Reserve is located in the Serra da Cana Brava mountain range, which mainly features the typical cerrado biome and is part of the Alto Tocantins River Basin. The predominant climate is humid tropical, with a rainy summer followed by a very dry winter.  In 2002, a consultant began to formulate an environmental zoning project and a management plan with the goal of preserving the local fauna and flora. The many types of vegetation present in the Forest Reserve include: cerrado brush land, typical savanna, large savannas, seasonal forest, rupestrian fields and gallery forests. Sama: Legal Reserve, 25 km2 of active reserve and 9.9 km2 of legal reserve. The local biodiversity is protected by a native vegetation corridor that allows wildlife to move about without coming into contact with employees. This natural corridor bypasses the pits where mining activities are conducted with the constant traffic of trucks and auxiliary machinery. The Chelonia Conservation Vivarium became the area for maintaining wildlife, with a protected habitat of 29 km2 located near the Forest Reserve and Sama Residential village in partnership with IBAMA - GO.
Status	Environmental Reserve
Partnerships with third parties	Brazil's environmental protection agency Ibama - Chelonia Project
Time area under control	Since 1999
Size (m2)	36,000,000
Equivalent area	4,363.6 soccer field
Location	Atibaia - SP	Area description	Tégula Atibaia has built area of 15,074.87 m2 on a property covering a total area of 112,738.24 m2. This total area includes an APP of 4,881.05 m2. Approximately 20% of the APP harbors native vegetation species (guava, jerivá, assa-peixe, fumo-bravo, tapiá, aroeira, pimenteira, sibipiruna, leiteiro, capororoca and ipê-amarelo) and is classified as Atlantic Forest, with fragments of broad-leaf forests and cerrado brush land. The APP area is located at the coordinates GEO LATI 745035 and GEO LONG 328084 and is part of the Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí River Basin, which is a name given under the definition established by Law 7.663/30, dated December 30, 1991, of the State Water Resource Policy and the Integrated Water Resource Management System of the State of São Paulo, which is where the aforementioned rivers (Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí) feed into the basin. The climate is temperate/dry with an average annual temperature of 19o and relative humidity of 80%. It is located on the banks of the waterway Ribeirão Ponte Alta, which marks the boundary between Fundição Cruz Aço and Tégula.
Status	Environmental Preservation Area
Study conducted by	Paulo C. R. Rocha - Agrimensor
Time area under control	Since 1994
Size (m2)	4,881
Equivalent area	0.591 soccer field

Recovery and reuse

Through the Degraded Area Recovery Program (PRAD), the areas impacted by mining activities in the country are guaranteed recovery to ensure the best possible environmental conditions and integration with the local community. In 2014, the Company replanted nearly 10.28 hectares with species best adapted to the region, such as Brachiaria humidicula, Crotolária spectabillis and Braquiaria decumbens. Over the last three years, the Company has recovered 33.09 hectares.

Conservation

Supported by the Water Conservation Environmental Awareness Project, SAMA has raised awareness among employees and the community on the importance of using water resources wisely. In 2014, SAMA launched the Caring for the Bonito River Project, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, Tractebel Energia, Emater, Sindicato Rural and riverside landowners to revitalize the river by planting riparian forest buffers along rivers and natural springs.

Preservation

SAMA is the first company in the state of Goiás to create a scientific wildlife vivarium for the conservation of turtles. Species housed in the vivarium include Arrau turtles, Tacajá tortoises, D’Orbigny’s sliders and red-footed tortoises. Founded over 20 years ago, the center covers an area of approximately 30,000 square meters. The center is regulated by Brazil’s environmental protection agency Ibama and complies with all of the agency’s standards. In addition to identifying and cataloging wildlife and monitoring the development of local species, the project carries out environmental education and awareness actions in the region.

SAMA also works to prevent wildfires in the forest reserve, in partnership with the fire brigade of the Program to Combat Wildfires sponsored by the scientific wildlife vivarium. The wildlife in the forest reserve is classified in accordance with IUCN 2003 criteria and the threatened species list issued by the Chico Mendes Institute for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ICMBio).

The flora and fauna species in the Group’s reserves include two classified as critically threatened with extinction, four as threatened and five as vulnerable. These include the golden lion tamarin, the brown howler and the southern muriqui, which receive special care through partnerships with environmental protection agencies. GRI G4-EN14

Tégula maintains a Permanent Protection Area (APP) covering 4,881.05 square meters that represents 13.52% of the entire property. The area is characterized by two types of vegetation: endemic vegetation and vegetation resulting from reforesting with Eucalyptus sp, creating an understory in the early stages of recovery. Wildlife living in area is classified in accordance with IUCN 2014 criteria and the list of threatened species issued by the Chico Mendes Institute for the Conservation of Biodiversity (ICMBio). The list includes the animal’s taxon, common name and extinction category in accordance with Ordinance No. 444, dated December 17, 2014.