Page 310 - Annual Report 2020

Reference and SPM Methodology
Section 6.6.3 Environment Mineral waste refers to the large quantities of material arising as a result of extractive activities. Non-product materials
– performance data (overburden) have to be removed to give access to product-bearing material (ores), which are processed, physically or
– Mineral waste chemically, to release them from their matrix and convert them into output products and waste products (tailings, slags,
(including tailings) sludges, slimes or other process residues). For minerals waste, the figures represent the total deposited in the reporting
year, expressed as kilotonnes (kt).
Mineral waste (hazardous)
Includes the following if classified as hazardous by local legislation:
• mineral waste from raw or intermediate materials that have been processed as part of the production sequence,
such as beneficiation, refining and smelting
• tailings, slimes, sludge, residues, slag, fly ash, gypsum, coal rejects
Includes non-hazardous waste co-disposed/mingled with hazardous material. Excludes any hazardous mineral waste
that is rehandled to prevent double counting.
Tailings waste (non-hazardous)
Includes tailings, slimes and residue resulting from the processing of ore which is not classified as hazardous
by local legislation.
This methodology has been prepared in accordance with GRI standard MM3 and these metrics assist the Board
and management in understanding the volumes and types of waste generated and trends over time.
Section 1.4.8 Sustainability A significant event resulting from BHP operated activities is one with an actual severity rating of four and above,
KPIs and section 1.7.6 based on our internal severity rating scale (tiered from one to five by increasing severity) as defined in our mandatory
Environment minimum requirements for risk management. The severity rating considers the nature, extent and duration of the
– Significant impact and any corrective actions required to restore ecosystem function.
environmental events This metric assists the Board and management in monitoring BHP’s environment performance and is one indicator
of the impacts on the environments where we operate.

308 BHP Annual Report 2020