Water is an essential resource for the organization’s operations and is used in various stages of industrial and mining processes, including mineral processing, zinc hydrometallurgy, drilling, road watering, irrigation, human consumption, and equipment washing. Water is sourced from duly authorized surface and groundwater sources, such as the São Francisco and Santa Catarina rivers, the Ribeirão Espírito Santo, the Córrego Arrainha, and the Aroeira dam in Brazil, in addition to the use of desalinated seawater at the Cerro Lindo facility in Peru, thereby reducing pressure on local water resources. Part of the water is treated for human consumption, while raw water is widely used in production processes.

Water management includes physical-chemical effluent treatment systems, wetlands, settling basins, and recirculation, aimed at reducing consumption and complying with environmental legislation. Impacts are monitored through ongoing environmental studies, including EIAs and technical investigations, with particular emphasis on the lowering of the water table at the Vazante facility, which has been the subject of studies and mitigation measures in partnership with specialized institutions. The organization maintains strict control over water abstraction and discharge, in addition to engaging in dialogue with stakeholders and implementing environmental education initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to the sustainable use of water as a shared resource.