Annual Report

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Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited
Annual Report 2016 24
Directors' Report
Corporate Governance Statement
The Parent Company’s Corporate Governance Statement may be viewed in the Corporate Governance section
of the Company’s web site at
Governance-Statement.pdf
Workplace Gender Equality
In accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 , WHSP lodged its annual public
report for the year ended 31 March 2016 with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency on 26 May 2016.
The report may be viewed in the Employment section of the Company’s web site at
Environmental Compliance
The Group was subject to the reporting requirements of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
during the year. This Act requires the Group to report its annual greenhouse gas emissions and energy use.
The Group has implemented systems and processes for the collection and calculation of the data required and
submitted its 2014/15 report to the Greenhouse and Energy Data Officer on 29 October 2015.
New Hope Group (NHG)
The NHG was not prosecuted for any breach of environmental laws during the year.
Environmental performance
The majority of the NHG’s operations, which include coal mining operations and exploration tenements, the
Jondaryan rail loading facility, the Queensland Bulk Handling coal export port facility and oil and gas operations
are in Queensland. The key piece of environmental legislation in Queensland is the Environmental Protection Act
1994 (EP Act). The EP Act protects our environment with a focus on ecologically sustainable development.
The NHG’s operations have proactively undertaken initiatives to improve their environmental performance.
Environmental systems
During the prior year the NHG adopted a new environmental policy aligned with the requirements of the ISO
14001 standard and it has continued the embedding of the Environmental Management System (EMS) in 2016.
The EMS assists the NHG to improve its environmental performance by increasing environmental awareness,
optimising operational control, monitoring compliance and facilitating continuous improvement.
Environmental reporting
The NHG’s operational sites have submitted reports under the National Pollutant Inventory program.
CopperChem Limited (CopperChem) and Exco Resources Limited (Exco)
CopperChem’s mining operations (Great Australia Operations (GAO) and Mount Colin) and Exco’s Queensland
exploration tenements are regulated by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
(DEHP) under Queensland’s Environmental Protection Act (1994). Mining operations and exploration tenements each
function under a site specific Environmental Authority (EA).
CopperChem continues to consult with DEHP over their legacy concerns with groundwater quality at the GAO
and no infringements have resulted from these concerns. The site transitioned to care and maintenance in mid
2015 and CopperChem continues to undertake the required environmental monitoring and compliance activities
at GAO. Environmental monitoring, management and compliance activities are continuing at Mount Colin Mine
which is also on care and maintenance. All major water infrastructure at GAO and Mt Colin is maintained in good
working order to meet water management objectives and compliance with Environmental Authorities.
Exco’s mining operations at White Dam Gold Mine (WDGM) and exploration tenements in South Australia are
regulated by the Department of State Development (DSD) under South Australia’s Mining Act 1971 and the South
Australian Environmental Protection Authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1993. A compliance report is
prepared and submitted to DSD annually. A mine extension and cutback was granted by DSD for the start of 2016.
WDGM is operated in compliance with its lease conditions and regularly undertakes environmental monitoring
activities. It did not receive any environmental infringements during the year.