KGHM volunteers have planted another forest

More oak, beech, and pine seedlings are already growing in the woodland around the Głogów Copper Smelter and Refinery. The pine trees planted today represent the young generation of the forest, which in future will provide the oxygen needs for one and a half thousand inhabitants and absorb more than 30,000 kg of CO2. At the same time, the forest will be a refuge for numerous species of animals and a habitat for a rich flora. The campaign is part of the plantings carried out each year by KGHM.

KGHM’S FOREST

The planting of trees and shrubs in the areas around KGHM’s divisions has been going on since early spring. In the week when the International Earth Day is celebrated, KGHM volunteers join the campaign, often with their families. In this way, the youngest generations are also learning their environmental lesson in practice.

KGHM actively supports the afforestation of the areas where it conducts its operations. More than 400,000 trees and shrubs were planted at KGHM last year alone.

Forest areas have been created in the former protective zones at KGHM smelters, which at the “Legnica” Copper Smelter and Refinery cover approx. 385 ha, and at the “Głogów” Copper Smelter and Refinery as much as 872 ha. This area is now a kind of “ecological niche” where birds nest, small land and water animals live, and vegetation thrives. In addition, the KGHM Hydrotechnical Plant division manages forests covering an area of approximately 212 ha.

NATURAL AIR FILTER

The forests around the KGHM divisions provide a natural air filter. Trees are excellent at absorbing and neutralising pollutants and carbon dioxide. KGHM is systematically converting poplar plantings by planting oaks and beeches as the main forest-forming species, which supply the largest amounts of oxygen to the environment.

One hectare of a forest can produce around 700 kilograms of oxygen per day. This is a daily requirement for 2,500 people. In the future, the woodlands of the “Głogów” Copper Smelter and Refinery will meet the oxygen needs of more than two million people per day.

Forests also play a very important role in carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. According to research, one tree absorbs around 6-7 kg of CO2 per year, and one hectare of a forest sequesters emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of four cars. This means that the forests owned by KGHM’s “Głogów” Copper Smelter and Refinery will absorb the exhaust fumes emitted by more than 3,000 vehicles in a year.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Environmental protection is one of the pillars of KGHM’s current strategy. The tasks and commitments in this area are specified in the environmental and climate policies adopted by the company. According to the latter policy KGHM strives to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.