Reporting Practice
Taking into consideration the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) definition of materiality, The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) determines what information to include in its Sustainability Report based on a variety of methods, which may include quantitative and qualitative research, one-on-one conversations, community meetings, tours, online surveys and special events. We include progress we have made on projects, processes or challenges that have significant economic, environmental and social impact (both positive and negative) on our company, our stakeholders and the industries that depend on lead-based products.
Doe Run initially adopted the GRI framework in 2009 as a response to research that indicated audiences wanted to know more about the company, its efforts to operate safely and its investments to limit its environmental impact. The executive team reviews and implements programs and processes to further implement sustainability in the company’s operations. Each year, the executive team assigns individuals from the various divisions to collect data and prepare the company’s Sustainability Report.
Doe Run continues to refine the topics we cover in our Sustainability Reports based on what our stakeholders consider material.
Over the past decade, we have periodically conducted quantitative and qualitative research within the Missouri communities in which we operate. The research identified the major issues facing citizens in the community during that time. Some of the most common responses we have heard over the years include the state of the local economy, the availability of good jobs, local education and healthcare access, Doe Run’s environmental responsibility, the safety of Doe Run operations, and the company’s involvement in the community. Responses also showed an interest in understanding Doe Run’s real property tax appeals.
Based on these insights and ongoing conversations with our stakeholders, Doe Run prioritized which aspects and data indicators are material both inside and outside the organization, and should be the focus of this report:
- Job creation and workforce development
- Employee health and safety at all operations
- Environmental capital investment and performance, which relates to all operations
- Remediation progress and land conservation
- Workforce data for all operations
- Direct economic impact from all operations and indirect economic impact from operations and supply chain
Identification and Selection of Stakeholders
Based on input and continued dialogue with our employees, communities, industry groups and regulatory bodies, we’ve determined that in addition to our shareholder and employees, our stakeholders consist of the following: community groups and leaders; neighboring property owners and residents; retired employees; local, state and federal governments; business groups; nearby schools; customers; and industry organizations.
Stakeholder Groups
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Community groups and leaders
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information related to local jobs, taxes and other support.
Engagement Methods
- Provide feedback mechanism via annual Sustainability Report.
- Maintain ongoing engagement through a number of community events.
- Maintain involvement in various community organizations, including Viburnum Economic Development Area Corporation, Viburnum Lions Club, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Council for a Healthy Dent County, Reynolds County Rotary Club, Viburnum Golf Club, Joachim Golf Club, local school district organizations and community sports teams.
- Support local nonprofits through donations, including Salem Senior Center, Ellington Chamber of Commerce, Ellington Volunteer Fire Department, Bunker Lions Club, Bunker Volunteer Fire Department, Viburnum Lions Club, Ellington Alumni Association, Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independence Food Pantry, , Advantage Home Care, local churches and other organizations.
- Share company updates via news releases and annual Sustainability Report.
- Provide free tours annually during Old Miners’ Days in Viburnum, Mo., and community education at annual events in Park Hills, Mo.
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Neighboring property owners and residents
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information related to the potential impact of Doe Run’s operations on their land, such as environmental precautions, traffic, noise, etc. Also interested in employee safety.
Engagement Methods
- Communicate directly with impacted residents if or when a situation arises.
- Share company updates via direct communication with community leaders, news releases, local newspaper and radio interviews, and annual Sustainability Report.
- Provide free tours annually during Old Miners’ Days.
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Employees
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information about business goals, operational performance, employee training, and health and safety.
Engagement Methods
- Conduct employee surveys, most recently in 2022, 2017, 2014 and 2012.
- Hold monthly safety/communications meetings with hourly employees.
- Hold informal meetings between executives and employees outside of the departments they oversee to create opportunities for employees to ask questions.
- Hold regular employee meetings with managers.
- Establish cascading process to share information with employees and to surface feedback from employees.
- Publish and mail regular employee newsletter to share company updates.
- Gather informal information at annual company-sponsored events, including Old Miners’ Days and annual events in Park Hills, Mo.
- Regularly post company updates to LinkedIn.
- Publish intranet articles and banners.
- Share frequent employee updates on monitors at Doe Run facilities.
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Local, state and federal government and regulatory agencies
Key Interests and Concerns
These groups seek information about operational performance, specifically around environmental impact and health and safety. Local and state governments are also deeply interested in the company’s economic impact, including jobs and taxes.
Engagement Methods
- Host Doe Run Day at the Capitol to interact with legislators in Jefferson City, Mo., most recently in 2020, 2017 and 2015.
- Regularly host legislators, policymakers and their staffs on tours of Doe Run operations.
- Host Environmental Protection Agency/Missouri Department of Natural Resources tours of Doe Run operations.
- Meet regularly with federal and state legislators and regulators to provide updates on company operations, environmental performance and future plans.
- Post online annual Sustainability Reports with detailed data on environmental, health and safety performance.
- Meet regularly with Missouri Department of Natural Resources, EPA Region 7, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Bureau of Land Management to address legacy issues and ongoing operations.
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Business groups
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information related to the company’s economic impact in the area, including supplier partnerships.
Engagement Methods
- Maintain involvement with local business groups, including Viburnum Economic Development Area Corporation, Viburnum Lions Club, Viburnum Golf Club, Joachim Golf Club, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Missouri.
- Share company updates via news releases, LinkedIn and the annual Sustainability Report.
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Nearby school districts and colleges
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information related to funding that benefits schools. Also seek information to inform and educate students about mining and minerals, and training for students who want to enter the mining profession.
Engagement Methods
- Maintain ongoing partnerships with local colleges, such as Missouri University of Science and Technology, Southwest Baptist College, and Mineral Area College, including scholarships, training opportunities and/or donations toward key programs.
- Provide financial support for STEM-related education in local schools, including materials that encourage active learning, creative problem-solving, and enhanced curriculum at area school districts, and scholarships for students studying STEM fields.
- Offer minerals education curriculum and materials to local school districts.
- Offer internships and job training.
- Engage in informal conversations with teachers and administrators through involvement in mineral education workshops, Career Days and other partnerships with schools.
- Share company updates via news releases, LinkedIn and the annual Sustainability Report.
- Regularly host local university administrators, professors, and students, on tours of operations.
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Customers
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information related to the quality of our products, customer service and business continuity.
Engagement Methods
- Maintain ongoing conversations between customers and sales, customer service, production and planning, and transportation personnel.
- Provide a quality and service response program.
- Engage with customers at conferences and tradeshows.
- Visit customer facilities.
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Industry organizations
Key Interests and Concerns
Seek information and best practices related to economic, environmental and social performance.
Engagement Methods
- Identify best practices of industry organizations through attendance at annual conferences, volunteering on committees and one-on-one conversations and incorporate ideas and practices as appropriate.
Open communication with our internal and external stakeholders helps us share achievements and challenges. It also helps Doe Run understand what actions and information our stakeholders desire from us. We strive to maintain open communication with stakeholders both inside and outside the company. Our Sustainability Reports and our online survey are two channels for this communication.
To share feedback with Doe Run, contact communityinfo@doerun.com, and please consider answering a few questions via our online survey.