Metals Exploration Plc (MTL) affirms its unwavering commitment to the eradication of child labor, force labor, slavery and human trafficking in all its forms, and protection of individuals’ rights, dignity, and freedom in accordance with international labor standards and human rights principles, and relevant forced and child labor laws.
Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statement
Our Policy
Our Business
MTL is a gold producing company with operations in both the Philippines and Nicaragua. MTL is a public company, trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and is headquartered in the UK, employing over 800 people.
Our Supply Chains
MTL is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. MTL’s policy on child labor and forced labor, and anti-human trafficking is clearly communicated to all suppliers and contractors. Agreements with suppliers and contractors include a clause that ensures adherence to laws on child labor and forced labor, and anti-slavery/human trafficking, as well as outlining the consequences of non-compliance with this policy.
As part of our risk mitigation strategy in the matter the Company regularly reviews its supply chain identifying and assessing potential risks areas in our supply chain. During the two-year period ended 31 December 2023, 41 new suppliers were screened by the Company using our supplier social assessment criteria.
Our Relevant Policies
Our specific policies concerning slavery and human trafficking are:
- Prohibition on Child Labor
- The Company is committed in upholding human dignity and the rights of all persons. Children shall be afforded special protection from all forms of exploitation and harmful conditions that may impede their development, including child labor.
- The Company shall not engage in child labor and ensure that its employees are of legal working age in compliance with the laws.
- Prohibition on Forced Labor
- The Company shall not engage, tolerate or support forced or involuntary labor pursuant to the mandate of the 1987 Constitution prohibiting involuntary servitude in any form.
- The Company upholds the autonomy of its employees to voluntarily agree to the terms and conditions of employment without coercion and the right to terminate their employment in accordance with the Company’s notice procedure.
- Prohibition on Slavery and Human Trafficking
- The Company strictly prohibits employees, subcontractors, subcontractor employees, suppliers, supplier employees, and agents from engaging in slavery and human trafficking-related activities. These activities include engaging in sex trafficking, procuring commercial sex acts (even if this practice is legal in the jurisdiction where it transpires), using force, fraud or coercion to subject a person to involuntary servitude, or obtaining labour from a person by threats of serious harm to that person or another person.
- The Company also prohibits employees, subcontractors, subcontractor employees, suppliers, supplier employees, and agents from engaging in practices relating to slavery and trafficking in persons, including:
- Destroying or otherwise denying access to an employee’s identity or immigration documents;
- Using misleading or fraudulent practices to recruit employees, such as failing to disclose key terms and conditions of employment;
- Using recruiters who do not comply with local labor laws;
- Charging employees recruitment fees; and
- Failing to provide an employment contract or work document where required by law
Additional relevant policies include:
- Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy
- Code of Ethics and Behaviours
- Code of Conduct Training
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Grievance Procedure
Training
MTL’s policy on child labor and forced labor, and anti-human trafficking is clearly communicated to all employees. Training is regularly undertaken to ensure our staff understand the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains, how they can identify if it is taking place and what actions they should take.
The Company will take appropriate disciplinary action for violations of these policies, up to and including discharge of employees, subcontractors, and agents, as well as seeking alternate suppliers where appropriate.
Darren Bowden
Chief Executive Officer
5 January 2025
