Namibia Custom Smelters (NCS) is acutely aware of its position and history within the Tsumeb community, its role in the Namibian regional economy and its duties as responsible corporate citizens in Namibia and southern Africa in general.  As part of DPM, NCS subscribes fully to its parent company’s corporate values & commitment to “… achieving and maintaining recognized best practice mining, processing, environmental and health and safety standards at all its operations and facilities.”

“The protection of employees, communities and the environment, from exploration and mining through to rehabilitation and closure” remains key to successful project development and operation at NCS and this important ethic is fully aligned with DPM’s corporate philosophy and overall sustainable development policy.

Since DPM’s purchase of NCS in March 2010, the installation of best practice environmental management and an enhanced, progressive social responsibility and investment credo has been an absolute priority.  During 2011 and into 2012, a number of environmental and social improvements and projects will be initiated, consolidated and completed.

Environmental Responsibility

Notwithstanding pre-existing limitations, at this early stage in NCS’s renewed sustainable development evolution, there are a number of key aspects providing a specific and encouraging narrative of NCS’s commitment to maintaining a positive sustainable development trajectory.

• The completion of infrastructure improvement projects, most of which have and will improve environmental performance as specific outcomes. 
• construction of an on-site hazardous waste disposal facility (one of only very few in Namibia);
• installation of new, technically current baghouses to reduce airborne emissions;
• development of fume extraction systems at copper tapping points; and
• upgrade of product conveyor systems to minimize dust generation.
• Initial discussions with WWF Namibia regarding corporate partnership models to support conservation projects in Namibia’s north (the Otjituuo & King Nehale conservancies are the closest to NCS);
• The establishment of an NCS Environmental Department and the purchase of sophisticated air and water sampling equipment for measured metrics such as SO2, fall out dust, total suspended particulates, arsenic and lead;
• The purchase of dust vacuuming and suppression vehicles for dedicated use on the NCS site to more effectively manage dust and its impact on the community;
• The repair and rehabilitation of historical and current tailings facilities;
• The rehabilitation and decontamination of historic facilities such as the tar pit site;
• The assessment and development of a comprehensive site water management system which may include canal lining and dilution facilities; and
• Detailed feasibility studies into the possibility of installing sulphur capturing facilities to reduce SO2 emissions and improve environmental performance.

Social Responsibility

• The establishment of community trust to be funded by NCS aimed at providing financial support for educational, health, social welfare and environmental projects in the broader Tsumeb area. Potential projects of interest include HIV/AIDS community support training and education enhancement projects;

NCS donated furniture to Francis Galton primary school in Tsumeb.		NCS contributes to The Hope Centre in Tsumeb which feeds 155 street children twice daily and is home to 32 children.
NCS provided building materials in support of the new school hall and kitchen at Ondundu primary school in Tsumeb.		NCS is also donating laboratory equipment to the Opawa primary school in Tsumeb.

• The establishment of a Public Relations Department to work closely with NCS’s Environmental Department to ensure enhanced and transparent communication with NCS stakeholders and the broader public.

Health and Safety

• New and modified biological testing procedures and protocols to insure employee health and wellbeing and the installation of best practice medical surveillance software to track and comprehensively monitor employee health.