WATER CONSERVATION AT ARIDCAL IN RESPONSE TO THE DROUGHT IN CATALONIA

February, 2025

The drought affecting Catalonia poses significant challenges for industries and communities, requiring a responsible and sustainable approach to water resource management. At Aridcal S.A., as a mining company dedicated to the production of aggregates for construction, we are fully aware of our responsibility in this context and have adopted concrete measures to minimize water consumption in our operations while ensuring environmental protection.

Water Use in Our Operations

Water is an essential resource in our activities, primarily used in three key areas:

1. Road irrigation: To prevent dust emissions into the atmosphere and ensure safe conditions at our facilities.
2. Irrigation of trees in restored areas: As part of our commitment to the environmental rehabilitation of intervened lands.
3. Irrigation in the production system: To control dust generated during aggregate production processes.

Authorized Water Concession and Actual Consumption

Aridcal has an authorized water concession of 27,600 m³ per year, a volume that allows us to operate efficiently and sustainably. However, aware of the importance of reducing our environmental impact, we have worked intensively to decrease our actual water consumption, achieving remarkable results in recent years:

• Year 2023: Consumption of 13,650 m³, representing 50% of the authorized volume.
• Year 2024: Significant reduction to 8,294 m³, equivalent to only 39% of the maximum permitted volume.

These figures reflect our commitment to optimizing water use and our ability to adapt to sustainability demands.

Implemented Water-Saving Measures

The notable reduction in our water consumption is not by chance but the result of continuous efforts to implement more efficient practices. Among the measures adopted, the following stand out:

• Use of optimized irrigation systems.
• Constant consumption monitoring: Detailed tracking of water use at our facilities, allowing us to detect and correct potential leaks or inefficiencies.
• Water reuse: We use rainwater from our decanter whenever possible to maximize resource reutilization.
• Staff awareness and training: We promote a corporate culture focused on sustainability.

Commitment to the Environment

At Aridcal S.A., we understand that efficient water management is key to mitigating the environmental impact of our activities and contributing to the well-being of the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to continue advancing in this direction, demonstrating that it is possible to combine industrial productivity with respect for the natural environment.

In the current drought context, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and the pursuit of innovative solutions to ensure responsible water use, not just as an operational necessity but as an ethical obligation to the environment and future generations.