Corporate social responsibility

Environment

We work closely with The Czech Mining Authority and Ministry of the Environment, while maintaining an open dialogue with local municipalities, mining communities and environmental bodies.

Due to the nature of our business, it is crucial that issues such as water or air pollution, waste disposal or hazardous chemical management are closely monitored and managed. In 2008, none of our activities were perceived as harmful to the environment in which we operate. For further information, please see the report of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee of the corporate governance section.

Reclamation

Some of the areas in which we operate have been mining sites for over 200 years and the local environment has inevitably been affected by long-term projects without any reclamation projects having taken place in the past.

NWR is committed to changing this attitude and currently conducts on average one reclamation project per week over the course of a year. One example of such work is the new man-made lake in Karviná. The rejuvenated area is now attracting new flora and fauna and being used for recreational pursuits by the local community.

Waste and pollution

We recognised that there was a need to change our coking operations to reduce pollution and in order to mitigate against this we now use an inert gas, which significantly reduces air pollution. Additionally, we have reduced the corrosion of pipes and subsequent potential for water pollution.

Communities

NWR plays a fundamental role in the communities in which it operates. We are, in most cases, the largest local employer and have a central role in supporting the community economically.

NWR representatives work closely with municipal officers to foster strong working relationships.

Charitable giving

We are proud to contribute to the OKD Foundation, which provides long-term support for projects in the Moravian-Silesian region. The Foundation relies on charitable donations and in 2008 NWR donated EUR 1 million to the Foundation.

The Foundation has four main programmes:

For Health provides funds for healthcare and social facilities and enhances their diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. It also finances research to help integrate those with health problems or other handicaps;
For Education and Entertainment assists secondary school and University graduates to find employment. It also supports a wide range of leisure and cultural activities with the emphasis on disadvantaged children;
For Future supports an environment-friendly way of life and other forms of public promotion of the sustainability principles. It also participates in the preservation and restoration of significant cultural and natural monuments;
For Europe supports non-profit organisations access funds made available from the European Union by making it possible to prepare high quality applications, which will successfully pass the approval process.

In 2008, the OKD Foundation supported over 400 projects with a value of EUR 2.2 million. More detailed information about the Foundation can be found at www.nadaceokd.cz.