11 Material Issues and our Vision
- 1.Effective Use of Non-Ferrous Metal Resources
- 2.Climate Change
- 3.Significant Environmental Accidents / 4.Biodiversity
- 5.Employees’ Occupational Health and Safety
- 6.Diverse Human Resources / 7.Development and Participation of Human Resources
- 8.Engagement with Stakeholders
- 9.Co-Existence and Mutual Prosperity with Local Communities
- 10.Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- 11.Human Rights in the Supply Chain
1.Effective Use of Non-Ferrous Metal Resources
The SMM Group is engaged in the mining of natural resources, the production of highly advanced materials, and everything in between. We handle a wide range of non-ferrous metal materials in the process. We believe that it is the SMM Group’s responsibility to take on the challenge of making more effective use of limited non-ferrous metal resources without waste through the utilization of resources that could hitherto not be used due to technical obstacles and through the development of recycling technologies.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that generates resources through high technological capabilities
- A company that stably provides non-ferrous metals to society
- A company that contributes to society by effectively using impurities through collaborative, open technological development among industry, academia, and government
- A company that contributes to the construction and maintenance of recycling systems for non-ferrous metals
- A company that develops and supplies highly advanced materials that contribute to the resolution of social issues
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Advance copper mine projects |
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Acquire new superior copper and gold resources |
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Improve productivity by introducing new technology |
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Advance nickel ore projects and improve productivity |
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Develop technology to separate, stabilize and bleed off impurities, and create value from impurities generated by smelting processes and mines |
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Develop technology to create value from unused non-ferrous metal resources |
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Recover non-ferrous metals from hard-to-process resources |
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Demonstrate and commercialize automobile secondary battery recycling technology |
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Leverage our strengths to create new products and new businesses that contribute to society |
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Hold raw materials in-house for favorable and stable procurement |
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Expand sales of low-cost battery cathode materials through favorable, stable procurement of our own nickel raw materials |
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2.Climate Change
Society’s demand for companies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has increased dramatically, and the business risks associated with climate change are also increasing. On the other hand, a stable supply of products contributing to a low-carbon society, such as the secondary battery materials for electric vehicles and the near-infrared absorbing materials CWO®, both produced by our Group, are expected to contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that actively undertakes climate change countermeasures, by reducing emissions and stably supplying products contributing to a low-carbon society, a future with zero greenhouse gases (GHGs)
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Reduce GHG emissions |
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under review
3.Significant Environmental Accidents / 4.Biodiversity
The SMM Group recognizes that there are risks of adverse impacts on the natural environment when developing natural resources and using chemical substances. In addition to preventing significant environmental accidents, we recognize that minimizing our negative environmental impacts, including rationalization the use of water, and preserving biodiversity in our day-to-day management of operations are prerequisites for business continuity.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that values water resources and biodiversity, and protects the richness of the sea and land
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Zero significant environmental accidents |
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Reduce emissions of hazardous substances (year-on-year) |
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5.Employees’ Occupational Health and Safety
It is the responsibility of management to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses, provide a safe, healthy and comfortable work environment, and strive to improve employee comfort. All of these also lead to greater motivation and productivity among employees. The SMM Group bases management on job classification, striving to ensure the safety and health of our employees through intrinsic equipment safety improvements and safety education, etc.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company where all employees work together with safety first the priority in a comfortable working environment as well as safe facilities and operations
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Prevent occupational accidents |
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Prevent occurrence of occupational diseases |
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6.Diverse Human Resources / 7.Development and Participation of Human Resources
The source of the SMM Group’s growth is its employees. We respect individuality and diversity, and aim to create an open and vibrant organizational climate in which everyone can demonstrate their strengths and thrive. With the globalization of business and the rapid development of DX, it is a management challenge to develop human resources who can think and act on their own initiative based on their expertise.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company where all employees can take a vibrant and active part
- A company that respects the humanity of each and every employee, and where employees feel pride, motivation, and joy in work
- A company that provides each and every employee with opportunities to improve his/her capabilities, and grows together with employees
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Promote working style reform and create workplaces that make use of digital technology, enabling diverse human resources to play vibrant and active roles |
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Support employees’ mental and physical health |
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Diversify opportunities to enhance the abilities of employees according to employee needs and work needs |
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8.Engagement with Stakeholders
The SMM Group’s main premise for business continuity is to earn a social license to operate. To this end, we recognize the importance of promoting information disclosure and transparency to the greatest extent possible, as well as deepening mutual understanding and building relationships of trust through ongoing dialogue with local communities and other stakeholders. In particular, when there is a risk that development may affect the livelihood of indigenous peoples, we gain a thorough understanding of their culture, traditions and history and engage in a continuing dialogue prior to development. It is then necessary to proceed carefully to prevent such impacts of development.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that is appreciated and understood to be the world leader in non-ferrous metals
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Further penetrate our Group brand among employees |
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Ensure quality and quantity in communication of information and dialogue at the level of “world leader in the non-ferrous metals industry” |
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Increase in recognition and understanding of our goal of “world leader in the non-ferrous metals industry” |
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9.Co-Existence and Mutual Prosperity with Local Communities
The SMM Group’s main premise for business continuity is to earn a social license to operate. To this end, we recognize the importance of promoting information disclosure and transparency to the greatest extent possible, as well as deepening mutual understanding and building relationships of trust through ongoing dialogue with local communities and other stakeholders. In particular, when there is a risk that development may affect the livelihood of indigenous peoples, we gain a thorough understanding of their culture, traditions and history and engage in a continuing dialogue prior to development. It is then necessary to proceed carefully to prevent such impacts of development.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that contributes to regional development and earns trust as a member of the local community
KPI Indicators: Participate in local communities through dialogue and collaboration |
Goals: Accurately identify local issues through dialogues with local communities, and execute measures 1. to 5. as follows |
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Support the local community via employee participation |
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Hire and procure locally |
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Support for nurturing of the next generation |
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Support for people with disabilities and the elderly |
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Support during and after disasters |
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10.Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The SMM Group’s main premise for business continuity is to earn a social license to operate. To this end, we recognize the importance of promoting information disclosure and transparency to the greatest extent possible, as well as deepening mutual understanding and building relationships of trust through ongoing dialogue with local communities and other stakeholders. In particular, when there is a risk that development may affect the livelihood of indigenous peoples, we gain a thorough understanding of their culture, traditions and history and engage in a continuing dialogue prior to development. It is then necessary to proceed carefully to prevent such impacts of development.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that understands and respects the traditions and culture of indigenous peoples
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Understand indigenous peoples and their traditions and culture |
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Support initiatives that lead to respect for the traditions and cultures of indigenous peoples |
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11.Human Rights in the Supply Chain
As for Business and Human Rights, the calls for companies to take strong measures to prevent human rights violations throughout their supply chains are increasing. It is necessary for the SMM Group to construct sustainable supply chains in collaboration with business partners to prevent our business activities from having negative impacts on human rights along our diverse supply chains.
Vision, KPIs and goals
A company that undertakes sustainable procurement across the supply chain
KPI Indicators | Goals |
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Promote sustainable procurement, particularly responsible mineral sourcing |
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