Content
Code of Conduct
Blackstone Resources and its Board of Directors are committed to treating its employees, consultants and the communities around them fairly and ethically. For more information on our policies, see the Codes and Ethical Documents listed below.
Introduction
This is the Corporate Code of Conduct (“Code”) of Blackstone Resources AG (“Blackstone”). It is designed to uphold trust in Blackstone’s integrity and the responsibility and accountability of individuals for reporting and investigating reports of unethical practices. This Code expresses certain basic principles that Blackstone and its employees and outside consultants should adhere to in all dealings involving Blackstone. You should be loyal to Blackstone, show the highest level of business integrity in dealing with others, including respecting the confidentiality of other people’s information, and should conduct Blackstone’s business in accordance with the law and principles of good business practice. The Code reflects Blackstone’s recognition that reputation is an integral part of Blackstone’s success. Every employee and consultant employed by Blackstone must act in a manner that maintains Blackstone’s good reputation. Blackstone employees will often encounter issues that need to be evaluated against the principles expressed in this Code. While it is impossible to discuss every possible situation, Blackstone believes the examples contained in this Code represent rules that should be followed to ensure that the actions of employees and consultants are not viewed as unethical. The material in this Code is for illustration only and is not intended to limit the principles. While Blackstone expects all employees to be familiar with the principles set forth in this Code, it is not expected that every employee and consultant be familiar with the laws that affect their responsibilities. Any employee with any questions regarding the Code should seek advice from legal counsel or management, who may consult Blackstone’s attorneys for guidance on the interpretation of applicable laws and regulations. The Code sets out the standards that Blackstone will adhere to whilst conducting its business and includes:
- the approval of the Code by the Board and senior management;
- the commitment to shareholders;
- compliance with relevant laws;
- environment protection;
- occupational health & safety;
- equal employment;
- confidentiality;
- conflicts of interest; and
- general conduct.
All employees are responsible for Blackstone achieving the highest levels of business conduct. Blackstone’s employees are accountable for acting in line with the policies and standards outlined in the Code.
Environment
All Blackstone’s business activities will be carried out so as to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, customers and the community while paying proper regards to the protection of the environment. Blackstone will use its best efforts to conduct its activities in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Blackstone will always conduct its business with the protection of the environment as a primary goal. The objectives of Blackstone in protecting the environment are to:
- meet or exceed all legal and regulatory requirements for environmental management and protection and where these are lacking or insufficient to protect the environment, apply best practice standards which will ensure that the environment is protected;
- maintain within Blackstone an awareness of the responsibility of Blackstone and its employees or contractors to ensure protection of the environment;
- regularly review Blackstone’s operations to identify and assess the environmental impact associated with those operations; and
- implement and maintain management systems, programs and procedures to ensure that the environment is protected including the control of discharges and other waste emissions that may harm the environment.
All aspects of environmental performance must be reported through senior management to the Board.
Occupational Health and Safety Policy
Blackstone engagiert sich für die Gesundheit und Sicherheit aller Mitarbeiter. Blackstone will work to eliminate unsafe practices and behaviors that may cause accident, injury or illness to employees, contractors, visitors or the public. Blackstone strives for an injury-free workplace. The primary objective is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for Blackstone employees, contractors and visitors. Blackstone’s goals in ensuring health and safety are:
- comply with all relevant statutory obligations;
- provide adequate resources to establish and maintain safe systems of work;
- maintain health and safety competence and integrate health and safety requirements in all aspects of business;
- ensure that all incidents are reported and thoroughly investigated with a view to preventing a similar injury occurring;
- continuously improve performance through innovative technology, education and good management practices;
- provide health and safety training for employees;
- engage only those contractors who aspire to the same health and safety standards as Blackstone; and
- promote a positive health and safety culture that is based on the principle that all incidents can be prevented.
All managers, supervisors and contractors are responsible for the health and safety of their areas. All employees are required to follow the rules of safe and healthy operations, report hazards to their supervisors and always report any injuries occurring to themselves or others.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a key feature of an efficient and successful business. Mitarbeiter sind verpflichtet, geschützte, kommerzielle und andere vertrauliche Informationen für Blackstone zu schützen. This obligation of confidentiality shall survive the termination of an individual’s employment with Blackstone. Information about Blackstone’s activities, results, strategy or plans that is not generally available may be used only for authorized purposes. This includes not sharing confidential information with other business units within Blackstone or using the information provided for any other purpose without prior written permission. Confidential information must be handled and communicated with care and not disclosed outside of Blackstone without appropriate authority. Any contracts that are entered into by Blackstone with customers, consultants and contractors should contain appropriate confidentiality clauses that ensure the protection of Blackstone’s confidential information. Managers and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that arrangements are in place for protecting sensitive and confidential information.
Review
An annual review of the Code is conducted to ensure that the Code continues to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Blackstone management and employees are encouraged to report any difficulties or non-compliance with the Code (including any inconsistencies between the Code and Blackstone’s business objectives) to the Blackstone Board of Directors. This will help ensure the Code’s effectiveness and will indicate which parts of the Code can be improved.