The Report outlines the Group’s key achievements as well as broader sustainable development performance in order to generate long-term value for stakeholders. In 2019, ERG marked the 25th anniversary of its business in Kazakhstan and the 5th anniversary of its head office in Luxembourg.  

Key highlights and milestones of the year: 

1. Ensuring a responsible supply chain: Adoption of ERG’s Group Supplier Code of Conduct; First independent, third-party assurance of ERG’s Clean Cobalt Framework at Metalkol RTR; Ongoing support of the Global Battery Alliance and helping establish World Economic Forum’s Metals and Mining Blockchain Initiative 
2. Enhancing business efficiency: Rollout of the ERG Way Production System in Kazakhstan; US$68 million saved through operational efficiency programmes; Commissioning of furnace No. 64. as part of the Workshop No. 6 major renovation project at the Aksu Ferroalloys Plant in Kazakhstan; Establishing ERG Capital Projects and ERG Recycling companies  
3. Implementing a new Environmental Strategy in Kazakhstan: Advancing the 10year, c.US$350 million programme to reduce particulate emissions to air  
4. Becoming a member of the United Nations Global Compact 
5. Advancing Metalkol RTR in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Production ramp-up and initiation of Phase II of development 
6. Benefitting local communities, shaping an innovative environment in Kazakhstan: Launching ERG’s three-year regional development programme; Partnering with the Digital Ventures Fund   
7. Preventing child labour in the mining industry: Working with the Good Shepherd International Foundation to construct a new Child Protection Centre in Kolwezi, DRC, and Pact on their ‘Children out of Mining – Northern Kolwezi’ project 

Commenting on the Report, Benedikt Sobotka, ERG’s CEO, said: “Last year, we continued to embed our 2025 Strategy, placing particular focus on organisational transformation, meeting the expectations of our stakeholders, digital technology, and the enhancement of our financial position. Our key priorities are ensuring the health and safety of our people and building on our existing efforts to enhance our operational and financial resilience, which is particularly important against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Looking ahead, ERG’s immediate priority remains keeping its employees and local communities safe whilst ensuring operational continuity and resilience. This is overseen by ERG’s dedicated Anti-Crisis Control Committee. Contributing to local efforts to address COVID-19 is central to ERG’s corporate mission. In 2020, in Kazakhstan alone, ERG committed more than US$10 million to the creation of a national foundation aimed at minimising the socio-economic impact of the outbreak and contributed US$230,000 to the fight against the virus in Nur-Sultan1. The Group has been continuously committing resources to this cause during 2020. 

Through its assets in Kazakhstan as well as Metalkol RTR and BAMIN, the Group is wellpositioned to play an important role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy as well as capitalising on future opportunities and growth in the aftermath of the pandemic.  

The full version of the Report can be found here.