INDEPENDENCE GROUP NL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018

EXPLORATION INCENTIVE SCHEME In 2009, the Western Australian Government announced an Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), an initiative that aims to encourage exploration in under-explored greenfield regions of the State. From July 2018, the EIS will be funded on an ongoing basis to the sum of $10 million using funds raised through mining tenement rents. IGO received $72,500 through the EIS in FY18 for a co-funded drilling program in the Fraser Range. The Government support resulted in the discovery of Andromeda, a copper-zinc-gold and silver target. HERITAGE SURVEYS Aboriginal heritage surveys are one of the first activities completed as part of IGO’s greenfields exploration processes. These surveys are completed prior to any ground disturbance. The arrangements for the surveys are generally subject to an agreement between IGO and the Traditional Owners. Such agreements define both the survey methodology and participants. IGO always employs local Aboriginal people to assist with the surveys, thereby harnessing local knowledge and contributing to the region’s economy. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANS Northern parts of the Fraser Range project area fall within the proposed Lake Harris Nature Reserve and the Plumridge Lakes Nature Reserve, and several tenements in the southern part of the project are located within the Dundas Nature Reserve. IGO is required to operate under an approved Conservation Management Plan (CMP) when working in these Class A and B nature reserves. In FY18, IGO significantly revised its CMP to provide a better framework for its environmental management of exploration activities in accordance with State and Commonwealth legislation. IMPROVING SAFETY AND HEALTH SYSTEMS Operating in remote parts of Australia presents a number of challenges, particularly for our people’s safety and well-being. During FY18, IGO’s exploration team has improved its safety management system to ensure that everyone in the field goes home safe and well. The system addresses, among its many elements, fitness for work (and specifically heat stress management), drug and alcohol testing and journey management. Vehicles have been fitted with continuous real-time monitoring systems and alarms, enabling staff to make immediate contact with key IGO personnel in the event of an emergency and allowing emergency response teams, if required, to quickly locate vehicles. All exploration teams have now been provided with iPads running Reflex, a software platform that enables safety and other operational requirements to be recorded and reported more easily. Finally, IGO has been investing in its people through leadership and technical training courses to upskill employees and shape a “can do” and “do-it-right” culture that will drive the next discovery. IGO SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018— 45