Better Health for All

Local residents in 2016 raised concerns about potential health hazards, including an increase in cancer cases, attributed to environmental pollution from the Geghanush tailing dump.

Polymetal responded by emphasizing its commitment to environmental safety and compliance with regulations. The company has an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001 with rigorous controls to prevent contamination of water, air, and land, and adverse impacts from noise pollution. In 2023, Polymetal initiated a reforestation project in Kazakhstan. During 2020, Polymetal spent US$3.4 million on COVID-19 related financial and operational support to healthcare facilities, including purchasing PPE, medical supplies, and diagnostic equipment. The company also improved first-aid posts and introduced quarantine measures in response to COVID-19. Polymetal's principal goods and services (gold, silver, copper mining) have no significant direct positive or negative health impact. The company does not offer health-related products or services requiring price accessibility or carrying health risks for users. It does not hold healthcare-related patents, produce or sell food products, or have products with addiction potential. The company also does not conduct clinical trials or health research.

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Polymetal reported a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) of 0 for 2024 and 2025 for employees and contractors

, with no lost time injuries recorded for four consecutive years . Its Kazakhstan operations recorded no fatal accidents for eight consecutive years up to 2025 . All employee and contractor salaries at operating sites exceeded the local living wage in both 2021 and 2022 . In 2022, 80% of all employees and 100% of operating site staff were covered by collective bargaining agreements . The gender pay gap was 20% in 2023, meaning women earned 80% of men's pay . The voluntary employee turnover rate was 8.4% in 2022 . The employee engagement score was 69% in 2021 . No cases related to modern slavery were found in the company's business or supply chains in 2021 and 2022 .

Fair Trade & Ethical Sourcing

Polymetal sourced 46% of its purchases locally in 2022.

In the same year, regional procurement accounted for 39% in Russia and 84% in Kazakhstan. The company reported no cases related to modern slavery in its business or supply chains in both 2021 and 2022. Polymetal has a Supplier Code of Conduct in place to help eliminate risks of human trafficking, modern slavery, or underage labor, and conducts biannual Human Rights Risk Assessments.

Honest & Fair Business

In 2023, Polymetal restated previous periods due to revised allocation factors for corporate costs and an amended production reporting approach

, indicating at least two restatements in one year. The company maintains a Board-approved Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, amended in 2018 , which includes a "zero tolerance" approach , regular corruption risk assessments , and due diligence on business partners . It provides general anti-bribery training at least once every three years and annual specialist training for high-risk roles . A 2023 study noted Polymetal had the highest anti-corruption reporting score among UK FTSE 100 extractive firms. Furthermore, Polymetal has a Whistleblower Policy with a confidential hotline for anonymous reporting , ensuring no retaliation for employees . Reports are processed promptly, confidentially, investigated, and subject to quarterly analysis ; 25 reports were received in 2020, with three validated.

Kind to Animals

Polymetal International plc has a policy, approved in August 2016, to prioritize biodiversity conservation.

The company reports zero operational sites adjacent to protected or high biodiversity areas in 2018 and 2019. Conservation measures include installing bird deterrents at tailing dams, fences along pits, and signs for wild animal migration routes. Specific initiatives include planting 430,000 saplings in 2023, releasing 825,000 fish spawn and over 86,000 juvenile fish to reproduce aquatic biological resources, cleaning 15 water bodies , and preparing nearly 200 km of salt licks for wildlife. In 2017, environmental investments were US$25 million , representing approximately 1.37% of its US$1,815 million sales revenue. The company was recognized by WWF in 2017 as a leader in environmental responsibility and ranked tenth in the World Benchmarking Alliance's Nature Benchmark.

No War, No Weapons

In 2023, Polymetal derived 70% of its total revenue (US$ 2,132 million) from its Russian operations, which were designated by the U.S. Department of State in May 2023.

Additionally, 78.6% of the company's 2023 capital expenditure (US$ 534 million out of US$ 679 million) was in Russia, a country identified as a conflict-affected area, with no mentioned safeguards for this procurement. Polymetal agreed to sell its Russian assets in February 2024, with the sale completed on March 7, 2024, approximately 9-10 months after the U.S. sanctions were imposed. The company also states adherence to international standards such as the UN Global Compact.

Planet-Friendly Business

Polymetal's Environmental Management System is ISO 14001 certified at all production sites in Kazakhstan and most in Russia

. In 2023, the company achieved a 93% closed water cycle rate and reduced fresh water intensity for ore processing by 53% compared to 2019 . The company also reported a 4% reduction in direct greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 and planted 430,000 saplings as part of reforestation projects . Polymetal secured $400 million in sustainability-linked financing in May 2021 and a $125 million sustainability-linked loan in November 2020 .

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Polymetal International has a Human Rights Policy and a Community Engagement Policy, emphasizing respect for internationally recognized human rights and Indigenous rights.

The company uses a Social Impact Assessment Tool to monitor community investments and maintains diverse engagement channels, including public hearings and site visits. In 2022, Polymetal received 839 community inquiries, primarily concerning financial aid and infrastructure development. The company sponsors the Dzyalbu Festival, a cultural event for Indigenous Minorities of the North (IMN), which saw over 70 IMN representatives and more than 500 attendees in 2022. Polymetal also consults stakeholders in defining sustainability strategies and policies. However, the provided articles do not contain specific, quantifiable data points required to score any of the KPIs in the rubric.

Safe & Smart Tech

Polymetal International plc's privacy notice, effective February 1, 2019, outlines that users have standard data rights, including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection, data portability, and the right to lodge a complaint with a data protection authority.

The company commits to deleting personal information when no longer required and implementing measures to prevent further processing if complete deletion is technically unfeasible. Polymetal also states it complies with applicable legal obligations, record retention requirements, and implements appropriate safeguards for international data transfers to ensure adequate protection.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Polymetal achieved a 93% rate of water recycling and reuse across its operations in 2023.

The company also increased the application of dry stacking for tailings disposal by 7% to 30% in 2023.