STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 28, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- New Boliden is continuing to consolidate its position in the fields of the work environment, the external environment, occupational healthcare and dam safety. The acquisition of Outokumpu's mining and smelting units at the turn of the year has led to a major injection of resources and know-how into Boliden's already strong and established environmental organisation.
"New Boliden has the capacity to be one of the world's leading mining and smelting companies in terms of environmental protection, safe workplaces and top-level occupational healthcare, areas that at Boliden all come under the concept of Environmental Affairs," says Tom Niemi, Deputy CEO of Boliden.
Boliden is now continuing work on a new organisation that includes both the formal Group function known as Environmental Affairs, and the work performed within its company-wide network. There are coordinators at each operational unit in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Ireland, who are responsible for the external environment, the work environment and quality issues, as well as occupational health. The new Environmental Affairs Group function also has specialists who are responsible for the external environment, the work environment, quality work and dam safety issues. There is also a coordinator of energy management systems, an occupational healthcare department and a department in charge of land issues and industrial areas where operations have been closed down. Together with the resources available at the various operational units, this will result in a strong, modern, flexible, high-capacity organisation.
"The fundamental principles are that work relating to the environment, health and safety should be decentralised and responsibility delegated throughout the organisation. The Group function is responsible for the environmental policy, the monitoring of special interests, operational support, audits and the coordination of improvement work within new Boliden in each of the specialist areas," says Manfred Lindvall, who was made Head of Environmental Affairs at Boliden in January.
Boliden is one of the leading mining and smelting companies in the world with operations in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Ireland and Canada. Boliden's main products are copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver. Exploration and Recycling of Base Metals are also important within the company. The number of employees is approximately 4 900 and the turnover amounts to approximately EUR 1.6 billion annually. The Boliden share is quoted on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in Sweden as well as on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada.
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-0- Tom Niemi, Deputy CEO telephone +46 8 610 1528, +358 400 264 582 Manfred Lindvall, Head of Environmental Affairs telephone +46 910 77 4118, +46 70 659 59 66