Resolution Copper Seeks ISO 14001 Environmental Certification in 2007

Resolution Copper Mining (RCM) is voluntarily seeking ISO 14001 registration of its Environmental Management System—the plans, policies and procedures by which we manage and continually improve our approach to the environment. The company has been recommended for ISO 14001 certification by year-end.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) helps establish a set of common rules that support international trade and ensure that companies operate ethically and responsibly. ISO 14001 is the recognized “gold standard” for achieving environmental excellence.

As part of this process, Resolution Copper has developed and implemented procedures to govern our approach to the environment, including land use and habitat, hazardous waste management, air quality management and water quality management. An incident reporting system has been established to cover all environmental incidents by type (e.g., water, air, land). Also, an internal team of Resolution Copper auditors has been trained to examine the Environmental Management System (EMS) at regular intervals to ensure it complies with the international standard.

As part of the company’s readiness for ISO 14001 certification, a process exists to ensure that Resolution Copper employees and contractors who perform tasks which have the potential to cause a significant environmental impact are competent based on appropriate education, training and/or experience.

All employees and select contractors have now received ISO 14001 Level I awareness training and Level II Environmental Management System (EMS) training. Level III training, which focuses on the job-specific aspects of ISO 14001, is currently under development.

Certification Audit

In order to be certified as ISO 14001-compliant, Resolution Copper must pass an external audit from an objective third party. Our certifier is DNV, an internationally known auditing firm that will register all Rio Tinto companies globally, and will also supply Resolution Copper with management safety training.

• Full review of our Environmental Management System to determine if we meet all ISO 14001 legal and procedural requirements.


• Independent measurement of our success in achieving objectives. We set new environmental objectives and targets each year. Auditors compare our year-to-year progress on projects including the Superior-area reclamation, construction of a water treatment facility, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to determine if we are meeting objectives and continually improving our environmental performance.

Based on the initial audit, DNV has recommended certification for RCM. ISO 14001 will be an ongoing venture and RCM has voluntarily chosen to be audited by an external third party every six months. Certification is valid for three years, at which point the company will undergo the ISO 14001 certification process once again.

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