Glencore joined the Plenary of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (Voluntary Principles)

Baar, Switzerland, 20-3-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Glencore is pleased to announce that on 18 March 2015 it joined the Plenary of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (Voluntary Principles). The Voluntary Principles were established in 2000 and provide guidance to companies through an operating framework that supports the safety and security of operations through encouraging respect for human rights.

The Voluntary Principles brings together governments, companies in the extractive sector, and non-government organisations to engage in dialogue on security and human rights.

In 2013, we began to implement the Voluntary Principles at our operations located in regions with a high risk of human rights abuse. Each year, we report on our progress in aligning our activities with the Voluntary Principles in our sustainability report.

Our membership was granted following a rigorous review process which included discussions with representatives from each of the Voluntary Principles’ three pillars – government, companies and NGOs.

Ivan Glasenberg, CEO, commented: “We are proud that the initiatives we have established at all of our sites to address the key risks relating to human rights faced by our assets have resulted in our successful application to join the Voluntary Principles. We are looking forward to further progressing our approach towards human rights through the opportunities that the Voluntary Principles offers to share knowledge and best practice.”

In addition to joining the Voluntary Principles, Glencore is committed to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations’ Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Our Group Human Rights Policy, developed to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of our people has been implemented at all of our assets.

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For further information please contact:

Investor:
Paul Smith
t: +41 (0) 41 709 2487
m: +41 (0) 79 947 1348
e: paul.smith@glencore.com

Martin Fewings
t: +41 (0) 41 709 2880
m: +41 (0) 79 737 5642
e: martin.fewings@glencore.com

Elisa Morniroli
t: +41 (0) 41 709 2818
m: +41 (0) 79 833 0508
e: elisa.morniroli@glencore.com

Media:
Charles Watenphul
t: +41 (0) 41 709 2462
m: +41 (0) 79 904 3320
e: charles.watenphul@glencore.com

Sustainability:
Michael Fahrbach
t: +41 (0) 41 709 2571
m: +41 (0) 79 908 9460
e: michael.fahrbach@glencore.com

About Glencore
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies. As a leading integrated producer and marketer of commodities with a well-balanced portfolio of diverse industrial assets, we are strongly positioned to capture value at every stage of the supply chain, from sourcing materials deep underground to delivering products to an international customer base.

Glencore’s industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 90 offices located in over 50 countries. Our diversified operations comprise over 150 mining and metallurgical sites, offshore oil production assets, farms and agricultural facilities. We employ approximately 181,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

About the Voluntary Principles
The Voluntary Principles were established in 2000 in an initiative launched by the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the U.S. Department of State. Since their inception, the Voluntary Principles have been used by extractive companies to strengthen their capacity to address complex security and human rights issues in their operations around the world. By ensuring that human rights are upheld, the Voluntary Principles aim to mitigate potential tensions between extractive companies and the communities within which they work.

www.voluntaryprinciples.org

Please click on the following link for the press release regarding the 2015 Annual Plenary Meeting which details the new members of the Voluntary Principles: http://www.voluntaryprinciples.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/Voluntary-Principles-2015-Annual-Plenary-Meeting-Press-Release.pdf