General disclosures and reporting principles

Boliden produces metal that makes modern society work. Our operations are characterised by concern for people, the environment, and society. Boliden’s sustainability work is based on our own norms and values, as well as international guidelines and targets such as the UN’s Global Compact and the UN Sustainable development goals. Dialogues with internal and externa­­l stakeholders are used to ensure that different perspectives are taken into account.

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General disclosures

102–8  Information on employees and other workers

Unless stated otherwise, all information in this GRI report concerning the number of employees refers to data from actual number of employees on 31 December for each year (2015 – 2017), while in the Annual Report the corresponding figures are calculated and reported as Full Time Employees (FTE). There are no significant variations in the numbers reported due to seasonal variations in production in our operations. The data has been generated through the local HR IT systems at our operations. The data has been quality assured by responsible HR Managers and compiled and summarised by Group HR.

102–8a Total number of employees by employment contract (permanent and temporary) by gender

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

Number

%

Female,%

 

Number

%

Female,%

 

Number

%

Female,%

Permanent

4,916

95.6

17.4

 

5,458

95.4

17.0

 

5597

94.5

17.9

Temporary

226

4.4

38.9

 

261

4.6

35.6

 

324

5.5

30.2

Total in Group

5,142

100.0

18.4

 

5,719

100.0

17.8

 

5,921

100.0

18.5

102–8b Total number of employees by employment contract (permanent and temporary) by region

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

Region

Permanent

Temporary

 

Permanent

Temporary

 

Permanent

Temporary

Sweden

3,023

122

 

3,098

120

 

3,213

134

Norway

292

29

 

291

17

 

290

35

Finland

1,010

60

 

1,499

89

 

1,504

125

Ireland

578

15

 

557

35

 

577

30

Other

13

0

 

13

0

 

13

0

Total in Group

4,916

226

 

5,458

261

 

5,597

324

102–8c Total number of permanent employees by employment type (full-time and part-time), by gender

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

Employment type

Number

%

Female, %

 

Number

%

Female, %

 

Number

%

Female, %

Full-time

4,814

97.9

17.0

 

5,360

98.2

16.6

 

5,492

98.1

17.6

Part-time

102

2.1

37.3

 

98

1.8

36.7

 

105

1.9

32.4

Total in Group

4,916

100.0

17.4

 

5,458

100.0

17.0

 

5,597

100.0

17.9

102–13  Membership of associations

Boliden participates in industry organisations that can play an important role in the sustainability dialogue. These organisations include: the Association of Finnish Steel and Metal, the International Zinc Association (IZA), the International Copper Association (ICA), the European Copper Institute (ECI), the Scandinavian Copper Development Association, the International Lead Association (ILA), SveMin, FinMin, Euromines and Eurometaux.

102–16  Values, principles, standards, and norms of behaviour

We expect our employees to promote our core values by acting responsibly towards colleagues, business associates, and society at large, and to keep in mind that they may be regarded as Boliden employees even during their leisure time. The Code of Conduct provides a framework for what Boliden considers to be responsible conduct – it is not exhaustive. Our employees should always strive to exercise good judgement, care, and consideration in their work for Boliden.

Boliden, and its employees, shall base their behaviour on mutual respect. Boliden does not accept any form of harassment, discrimination, or other behaviour that colleagues or business associates may regard as threatening or humanly degrading. We shall also ensure that none of the operations controlled by the company lead to the exploitation of children. We never, either directly or indirectly, collaborate with suppliers or customers where we have reason to believe that child labour is used. Employees and Board Members shall not seek to obtain advantages for themselves (or any related persons) that are improper or may harm Boliden’s interests in any other way. Information beyond general business knowledge acquired in their work for Boliden should be regarded confidential and treated as such.

The company shall communicate its financial results and other information affecting the share price in an appropriate and timely manner and shall, in so doing, comply with relevant legislation, stock market contracts, and other regulations.

Gifts or other favours to business associates shall comply with locally accepted good business practice. Gifts and other favours may only be given or granted provided that they are modest, both with respect to value and frequency, and provided the time and place are appropriate.

Employees and Board Members shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the antitrust and competition laws, when conducting business on behalf of Boliden.

The Code of Conduct applies to all Boliden employees, including temporary personnel, worldwide, as well as to members of the Board of Directors of Boliden AB and its subsidiaries. Line managers are responsible for making the guidelines known and for promoting and monitoring compliance. Violation of the Code of Conduct will not be tolerated and may lead to internal disciplinary action, dismissal, or even criminal prosecution. Should an improper practice or incident occur within Boliden, the company is committed to making the necessary corrections and will take remedial action to prevent recurrence.

102–40  List of stakeholder groups

The stakeholder groups identified as priority groups for engagement on sustainability issues are:

• Employees

• Future employees

• Neighbours

• Owners

• Capital market

• Business partners

• Authorities

• Media

In a wider context also:

• Land owners

• Politicians

• Sami villages

• Consumers

• Competitors

• Universities/research

• Those influencing public opinion

102–41  Collective bargaining agreements

The total number of employees at Boliden covered by collective bargaining agreements on 31 December, 2017 was 5,798 (5,554), representing 97.9 % (97.1%) of the total workforce.

102–42  Identifying and selecting stakeholders

Boliden’s operations affect many people in a variety of ways, and similarly, these stakeholders have different views and expectations of Boliden. If it is to carry out relevant sustainability work, Boliden must identify and address prioritised issues. By conducting stakeholder dialogues, Boliden meets demands for increased transparency and learns about stakeholders’ demands and expectations in greater detail. In 2016, Boliden conducted stakeholder dialogues based on the new sustainability development goals. The Boliden approach to stakeholders is based on a combination of theoretical models and evaluation of the mutual levels of cause, legitimacy, and power between Boliden and the stakeholder group.

102–43  Approach to stakeholder engagement

Boliden’s framework of stakeholders that raise expectations, influence the perception of our company, and are relevant with regard to sustainability performance is, however, wider than that defined by the above stakeholder groups. Dialogue is conducted in different ways with different groups, i.e. bi-annual employee surveys, open-house meetings with employees and the neighbouring community, formal and informal meetings with authorities, and capital market days and the annual general meeting.

102–44  Key topics and concerns raised

In 2016, Boliden conducted stakeholder dialogues based on the new sustainability development goals formulated by the United Nations, which came into force at the beginning of the year. The response from internal stakeholders (employees) confirms that health and safety is the most important issue, followed by the ability to create value by maximising the metal yield and driving technological developments. External stakeholders (business partners, authorities, future employees) expect to a high degree that Boliden focuses on increased energy efficiency, its carbon footprint, and reduced environmental impact. The common denominator for all stakeholders is an expectation that Boliden´s innovation and technological development capabilities will benefit both the company and society at large. Sustainability within Boliden means to evaluate environmental impact, take social consideration, and secure strong economic results. The stakeholder engagement during 2017 has been part of the Corporate Responsibility strategic process, and has not been undertaken specifically as part of the reporting preparation process.

102–46  Defining report content and topic boundaries

The information contained in this report, with the exception of environmental performance data, covers facts and figures from Boliden’s eleven business units, from the Group’s head office and various staff functions, and from its sales offices. Environmental performance data are limited to Boliden’s eleven operational business units (as they represent Boliden’s significant environmental impact). The Kevitsa mine, located in Finland, which Boliden acquired in June 2016, is from 2017 fully integrated in the GRI reporting. During the reporting period, there have been no significant changes in the mining and smelting operations, in the supply chain, or in the capital structure and capital formation.

Defining the report content

Boliden’s sustainability work is based on its own norms and values and on the UN Global Compact and the UN Sustainable development goals. For several years, dialogues have been completed with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that different perspectives are taken into account. Within Boliden, a ‘material topic’ is a question that reflects our company’s significant economic, environmental, and social impacts on our environment, as well as the issues that can significantly affect assessments and decisions made by our stakeholders.

In 2017, a reconciliation of Boliden’s material topics was made against the newest GRI standards which resulted in an updated list of 24 material topics that was verified by the group management. Because Boliden’s business affects many people in a variety of ways, stakeholders have different views and expectations for Boliden. Important inputs in the process have therefore been how Boliden’s activities relate to the global goals, to other trends and expectations in society, as well as the views expressed in dialogues internally within the company and in contacts with representatives of other stakeholders. The content in terms of material topics and boundaries is further explained in disclosure 103-1.

Reporting Principles

The financial data is drawn from Boliden’s audited annual accounts. The Boliden Group reports in Swedish kronor (SEK). According to Swedish legislation, sustainability reporting is included in the Group Annual Report, as well as in a separate report prepared according to GRI standards. Environmental data, including energy-related data, is collected on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis and consolidated at Group level. Calculation methods for direct CO₂ emissions are stipulated by national legislation, and in connection with the EU emissions trading scheme. All other emissions have been measured, and/or calculated on the basis of periodic measurements. More detailed measurement techniques, calculation methods, and assumptions are reported in connection with relevant indicators. Social data has been generated through the local HR IT systems at our operations. The data has been quality assured by responsible HR Managers as well as Group HR.

102–56  External Assurance

Boliden’s policy is to use external assurance to ensure a high quality and creditability of the information published in the Boliden GRI-report.