We are focused on driving long-term sustainable performance for the benefit of our customers, shareholders and wider stakeholders.

Below we describe our key stakeholders and summarise the engagement that has been undertaken across the business. 

Shareholders

Why they are important

Our shareholders are investors and owners of the business. We seek to establish and maintain constructive relations with all shareholders through open dialogue and an ongoing programme of engagement.

Engagement activities

We interact with our shareholders and seek a better understanding of their expectations through various channels during the year with the participation of the CEO, CFO, members of the Board, the Company Secretary and the Head of Investor Relations. These channels take  different forms and include participation at sector-specific conferences, discussions with proxy agencies as well as direct meetings with  shareholders and through the Annual General Meeting. During 2024, our regular calendar was supplemented by:

  • A site visit in October 2024 for analysts/investors to Mara Rosa
  • The use of the Investor Meet Company platform for the second consecutive year, providing individual shareholders the opportunity to review the H1 2024 results presentation by the CEO and CFO, and to participate in a Q&A session
  • Ad-hoc interaction with significant shareholders on governance matters

Issues raised in 2024

  • Updates on the operation of the Mara Rosa mine
  • Strategy in relation to the Monte Do Carmo asset
  • Permitting progress and timeline of Royropata project
  • Macro-economic and political developments in Argentina
  • Revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy
  • Chair succession

For further information on the actions taken by the Company in response to investor feedback on executive remuneration, please refer to the Directors’ Remuneration Report (accessible in the 2024 Annual Report).

Employees

Why they are important

We acknowledge that our success relies greatly on our people. We seek to attract, retain and develop our people through competitive remuneration, a positive and safe working environment and equal opportunities for all.

Engagement activities

Employee engagement generally takes many forms and includes the use of surveys, presentations and Q&A sessions with management. Our 2024 programme included:

  • Use of the Brilla HOC platform to acknowledge the achievements of our people 
  • Culture and safety perception surveys across three countries, followed by workshops to consider results/action plans
  • A working climate survey
  • Online forums chaired by Tracey Kerr, our Non-Executive Director designated for Workforce Engagement
  • Board visit to Mara Rosa 
  • ESG workshop for all female workers at Mara Rosa
  • Regular meetings with labour unions
Issues raised in 2024
  • Progress of the Group’s strategies on ESG matters
  • Promoting cross-functional collaboration to facilitate continuous improvement
  • Enhancements to specific mine-site conditions

Social

Why they are important

We recognise our social commitments to (a) produce the smallest environmental footprint possible and (b) understand the needs and expectations of our local communities. Through close collaboration we implement social investment programmes in our areas of focus.

Engagement activities

We adopt a varied approach to engaging with local communities including:

  • Direct interaction with local mayors and residents
  • Our Permanent Information Offices and town hall meetings
  • Community surveys;
  • Participation in formal roundtables with the participation of regional authorities
  • Collaborative events on local interest themes e.g. cancer prevention workshops and environmental conservation in Brazil
  • Implementation of local purchasing and hiring protocols.
Issues raised in 2024
  • Environmental issues
  • Local hiring and purchasing
  • Provision of scholarships 
  • Impact of proposed projects on the local area
  • Hochschild’s sustainability commitments
  • Infrastructure projects

Government & Regulators

Why they are important

It is our aim to maintain a constructive relationship and open dialogue with the various governmental authorities we interact with in each of the countries where we operate.

Engagement activities

The Vice President of Legal & Public Affairs oversees regular interaction with relevant authorities and regulators in Peru, both at a Company level but also through the National Mining Association. Various teams also regularly interact with public officials and regulators as part of their operational functions. The equivalent role in our Argentinian joint venture is undertaken by the President, General Manager, and General Counsel. The Company also actively  participates in the National Mining Association. In Brazil, the General Manager and General Counsel lead engagement activities with
governmental authorities.

Issues raised in 2024
  • Permitting
  • Health & Safety and environmental performance and compliance
  • Climate Change reporting
  • Contribution to regional development such as through local job creation and investment in social programmes/infrastructure
  • Enhancements to financial reporting disclosures 

Suppliers & Lenders

Why they are important

As a key influence on how we operate our business, we seek a relationship of mutual benefit while requiring high standards of conduct.

Engagement activities

The General Managers of our Peruvian, Argentinian and Brazilian operations maintain ongoing dialogue with suppliers to the mine sites. Other suppliers are managed by the relevant functional department such as IT, Group Finance, etc.

Issues raised in 2024
  • Providing suppliers with access to cost-efficient financing 
  • Maintenance of stocks of critical consumables and spare parts to mitigate supply chain risk
  • Discussions with suppliers to anticipate price variations due to inflation
  • Discussions with the lenders of the Medium-Term facilities on the Group’s sustainability performance

Customers

Why they are important

Due to the nature of what we produce, Hochschild has relatively few customers. As a result, successful relations with our customers are of critical importance to our business.

Engagement activities

Our sales and logistics teams oversee a relationship of co-operation and constant dialogue. During the year, the Company sought to establish new commercial relationships to mitigate the risk of a concentrated customer base and its vulnerability to geo-political developments.

In addition to usual relationship management, Hochschild attended LME Week in London and CESCO Week in Chile for customer engagement.

Issues raised in 2024
  • Discussions on commercial terms resulting from fluctuations in concentrate supply
  • Cost of shipping from San Jose due to inflationary pressures