Social Contribution Activities

We have concluded a cooperative agreement with Minato City, Tokyo, and the Minato City Board of Education regarding the development of the local community. We are the sixth company to conclude the same agreement in the district, and the first case of a B2B company. Since establishing our head office in 1937 in what is now Minato City, we have engaged in a variety of collaborative activities with Minato City for the development of the local community, including introducing the appeal of non-ferrous metals to children and facilitating workplace experiences. Additionally, we participate in networks that support employment for individuals with disabilities. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen and sustain the cooperative relationship we have built thus far. In addition to our existing initiatives, we will expand our collaboration into a wider range of areas by leveraging the knowledge and networks of both parties and facilitating personnel exchange.

From June 18 to June 26, 2023, we hosted workplace visits for 100 first-year students from the Tokyo Metropolitan Eifuku Academy's Employment Technology Program at our head office. We aimed to enhance employment awareness and motivation for learning among students by allowing them to observe graduates from the academy at work in our Cheerful Support Office. Members of the Cheerful Support Office, responsible for mail sorting and shipping tasks, provided explanations about their work. The students actively took notes during the presentations. During the round-table discussion following the workplace tour, members shared their experiences, including what they concentrated on during their time at special needs education school and the reasons behind their decision to join the Company. There were many questions, including "When do you feel a sense of fulfillment?" and "What do you value most in your work?" The members took the time to reflect on their answers and responded thoughtfully in their own words.

On September 24, 2023, we participated in the National Collaboration Marche held at Platanus Park in Minato City. This event is part of a national collaboration initiative in Minato City, aimed at creating local vibrancy and fostering deeper interaction between residents of Minato City and communities across the country. It utilizes the "power of collaboration with regions nationwide" to organize the marche. We have entered into a "Cooperation Agreement for Community Development" with Minato City and the Minato City Board of Education. Under this agreement, we set up a booth at the event to contribute to local revitalization and support for individuals with disabilities.
At our booth, we sold vegetables harvested by members with disabilities as part of JX Advanced Metals Corporate Service Co., Ltd.'s agricultural and welfare collaboration project, Uchihara Farms. Members of the Cheerful Support Office along with volunteer employees and their families participated in the sale and interacted with community members who visited the booth. In addition, as part of an effort to create an environment where people with physical disabilities or other limitations can work, Minato City set up the remote-controlled robot OriHime at our booth. This allowed individuals with disabilities to demonstrate customer service at our booth from a remote location.

On September 8, 2023, a linear precipitation zone associated with Typhoon No. 13 hit the northern coastal region of Ibaraki Prefecture, causing extensive damage from landslides and river flooding. The Hitachi Works suffered extensive damage on an unprecedented scale, including landslides on the site and flooding of buildings. While recovery efforts were underway, we were informed that the only road leading to the village in the Sawadaira area of Hitachi City, which has historical ties with the Company since the Hitachi Mine days, was cut off in several places, leaving the community isolated. Hoping to be of assistance, six members of the Hitachi Works Administration Department headed for the Sawadaira area on September 11, carrying emergency supplies. The team members walked along roads which were blocked by mounds of saturated soil and large stones, making them impassable for vehicles, and delivered emergency food and water for three days to all households in the Sawadaira area.

The Hitachi Works set up an exhibition booth at the 23rd Hitachi Youngster's Science Festival held at the Hitachi Civic Center on October 29, 2023. This event is held under the philosophy of "providing science experiences to as many children as possible and increasing the number of science-loving children as possible." Each company and organization provides children with experiments and crafts that allow them to experience the fun of science through their five senses. We set up an experimental exhibition booth, Shiny Copper Coin Experiment, with about 80 children participating. Children who observed the color change of coins due to oxidation-reduction reactions expressed their excitement, saying things like, "The coins became really beautiful!" and "That was fun!"

The Riko Challenge is an event co-hosted by the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, aimed primarily at female elementary, middle, and high school students. It focuses on exploring careers and future opportunities in science and engineering, organized by companies, universities, and academic organizations. We support this policy and have been holding events for local junior high school students since 2015. In fiscal 2023, we held events at the Isohara Works, Hitachi Works, Kurami Works, and Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery. A total of 11 junior high school students participated at the Isohara Works, where science and engineering employees gave presentations about their own career choices and also served as instructors for the day. The students had the opportunity to observe cooling experiments using liquid nitrogen and thermal conduction experiments using copper. Students who had the opportunity to see areas of the factory and showroom that they usually don't have access to expressed their thoughts, commenting that they gained a better understanding of what kind of work is done here and that the experiments were fun. The event concluded amidst a lively atmosphere, leaving everyone energized and inspired.

We made donations to the Hitachi-Otsu's fune Festival- (a nationally designated important intangible folk cultural asset) held in May 2024, as well as to the Children's Cafeteria Ren (NPO), which primarily provides meals for children in Kitabiraki City.

The Isohara Works is working with the Kitaibaraki Special Support School to create a social infrastructure that enables coexistence with the local community and diverse talents to thrive. In fiscal 2023, JX Advanced Metals Corporate Services dispatched lecturers from its Isohara Office to give on-site cleaning classes from December to February. Additionally, we welcomed high school students for corporate internships from January 29 to February 9, and hosted a factory tour for junior high school students on February 20. During the factory tour, we welcomed 10 students and 6 teachers. In addition to a tour of the manufacturing facilities, senior employees who graduated from a special support school gave short presentations about their work and experiences. The students were surprised at the scale of the factory and listened intently to the explanations of the senior employees, making it a fulfilling learning experience.

In the Kanto region, local governments designate a Sunday near May 30 (Zero Waste Day) every year as Environmental Beautification Campaign Day and conduct a unified beautification campaign. In Samukawa Town, the Sagami River Beautification Campaign was held on May 26, 2024, in conjunction with this initiative. At Kurami Works, as a member of the Samukawa Town Industrial Association, we participate and cooperate annually to promote coexistence with the community and raise awareness and understanding of environmental issues. The day of the event saw good weather, and about 70 people participated, including employees and their families. We will continue to value communication with the community and actively help create a clean town.

In October 2023, Kurami Works began sponsoring the Kurami Children's Cafeteria in cooperation with a non-profit organization that has been active since 2021. The Kurami Children's Cafeteria was established with the goal of providing children and their families with homemade, warm meals and creating a comfortable, home-like atmosphere for dining. It welcomes both adults and children, and is held once a month, accommodating about 70 participants. The local community association has made the community center available, and many local farmers and nearby businesses have generously donated ingredients and snacks. Additionally, Kurami Works has contributed items such as frankfurters and French fries, as well as vegetables harvested from JX Advanced Metals Corporate Service Co., Ltd. Uchihara Farm to be used in daily meals.

The 44th JX Advanced Metals Cup Contest, the Samukawa Invitational U-12 Boys Soccer Tournament was held on July 14, 2023. This is a traditional youth soccer tournament that has been held since 1980, sponsored by the Samukawa Soccer Association under the auspices of the Samukawa Town Board of Education. Kurami Works has been a sponsor of the tournament since 2023, providing various forms of support for the event, including a championship cup (trophy plate), award plaques, novelties for each team, and AED rentals during the tournament.

Every year, we participate in a festival at a shrine in the Saganoseki area. In fiscal 2023, 34 new employees from the firm participated in carrying the Mikoshi at the Spring Grand Festival at Shiinetsuhiko Shrine (April) and the Summer Grand Festival at Hayasuhime Shrine (July). The participating new employees wore traditional white garments and, after receiving purification rites from the shrine priest, carefully shouldered the Mikoshi. At first, they felt a bit unsure, but with the encouragement of the local community, they successfully fulfilled their role and carried the Mikoshi until the end.

We host plant tours for elementary schools located near the Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery. In October 2023, we invited 10 fifth-grade students from Saganoseki Elementary School, and in December, we welcomed 22 fifth-grade students from Kozaki Elementary School for a tour of the smelter. After explaining about copper and the smelter, we gave a tour of the facilities. The children had studied about the smelter in advance and actively participated in quizzes and other activities. Many students were interested in recycled materials and urban mining and asked many questions. They toured the inside of the smelter, which can usually only be seen from the outside, and were over-whelmed by the sheer size of the facility.

Every year, we donate a portion of the profits from the vending machines installed on the premises of the Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery to the Oita Prefecture Traffic Accident Orphans Support Fund. The fund offers a range of grants aimed at ensuring that children affected by traffic accidents can grow up healthy and resilient, while receiving support to excel in their studies and sports. Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery also conducts a wide range of other activities, such as the morning and evening Yamabiko Campaign and support for traffic safety promotion groups. We will continue to contribute to traffic safety in the local community through these initiatives.

We participated in Operation Cleanup Fukui, a cleanup activity held at Kehi no Matsubara in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, one of the three largest pine groves in Japan. A total of 20 people made up of our employees and their families, participated in the event, collecting driftwood and burnable trash that had washed ashore. On the day of the cleanup, about 1,300 people, including the mayor of Tsuruga City, employees of local companies, and local residents, participated in the cleanup activities. After the cleanup activity, we held a lunch gathering for the employees and their families who participated in the volunteer work, allowing everyone to enjoy a meal together and strengthen their bonds in a cheerful atmosphere.

We participated in the Kurobe Fair 2023, held at the Kurobe City Sports Center from September 17 to September 18, 2023. The event is organized by the Kurobe Chamber of Commerce and Kurobe City, bringing together 120 businesses and organizations from the area to promote their products and services in a commercial and industrial festival. This year's event attracted a very large number of visitors, approximately 42,000, far exceeding the 18,000 who attended last year’s event.
We set up an indoor exhibition booth, where we showcased our group's resource recycling initiatives using panels, videos, and samples of raw materials and products. We will continue to let the local community know about our business and the significance of resource recycling through exhibits at the Kurobe Fair and other events.

On September 9, 2023, the Tairyo Oshi Hajime Competition was held at the Saganoseki Fishing Port Kojima Gas Station for the first time in four years. Traditionally, fishermen needed to reach the best fishing grounds faster than anyone else to ensure a good catch at the start of the new year. This led to the practice of young people selected from various districts racing wooden boats, demonstrating their strength and skill. Those races are seen as the origin of the Oshi Hajime. We have participated in this event since 2003 and have competed with veteran local teams for the championship every year. We will continue to deepen our relationship with the community through these events.

From September 19 to September 29, 2023, we conducted a practical internship training program in which we set challenges and worked with students to find solutions. Centered around the theme of LCA as a Management Method: How to Utilize the Mass Balance Method and Other LCA Analysis Methods to Strengthen Corporate Competitiveness, participating students attended lectures given by members of the ESG Promotion Department and the Technology Group, visited JX Metals Circular Solutions Tsuruga Co., Ltd., toured other companies from different industries, and participated in various research meetings. Interns expressed feedback such as, "It was a great source of inspiration and a valuable experience for my future." Their supervising professor noted, "This was an incredibly important opportunity for them. I am looking forward to them engaging even more deeply with their research."

In response to a request from the MINETEC, on July 6, 2023, we conducted a lecture on drilling in metal resource exploration at MINETEC in Kosaka, Akita Prefecture. We also provided a tour and explanation of drilling machinery at our Odate office. MINETEC operates as a division of the Japan Mining Engineering & Training Center, focusing on training personnel in mineral resources and conducting research related to metallic minerals. Each year, it holds lectures and training sessions in Kosaka, Akita Prefecture, as well as tours of resource development facilities both domestically and internationally. Despite the hot weather, 11 people participated in the training. Their enthusiasm made it a rewarding experience for us as hosts.

The Company collaborated on the Career Design curriculum for 40 first-year students at National Institute of Technology. The curriculum is designed to enable students to independently design their own careers. It consists of a flow that includes preliminary company research, career lectures, and factory tours. Students learn about work and society by deepening their understanding of an individual company. Recently, we collaborated on the career lectures and factory tour segments of the course.
A career lecture was held on July 26, 2023 as a guest lecture by the Hitachinaka Office. In the class, our employees shared insights with the students, who had done their preliminary research on the company. They emphasized how the specialized knowledge gained during their studies can be applied in the real world and highlighted that the experience of pursuing interests beyond their major can be a valuable advantage in the workplace.
A factory tour was conducted at the Isohara Works on October 3, 2023. Through explanations in the showroom and site tours, visitors learned about the applications of our sputtering targets for semiconductors and their manufacturing processes. During the closing Q&A session, insightful questions stemming from the factory visit —such as "Is the color-coded hallway in the building a safety feature?"— made for a very rewarding experience.

The Main Festival, the largest Japanese cultural event in the Frankfurt region, was first held in 2019. In 2023, it took place over three days from August 18 to 20 in the park in front of the Busing Palais in Offenbach, adjacent to the city of Frankfurt. The venue featured various stage performances, including music by Japanese artists, martial arts demonstrations, and traditional Japanese dance. There were also food stalls offering Japanese cuisine, exhibitions and sales of arts and crafts, hands-on workshops, and tents set up by sponsoring organizations and companies, attracting around 20,000 visitors.
In addition to the cities of Frankfurt and Offenbach and their chambers of commerce, the Main Festival is supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Japanese Business Association, the Japan-Germany Business Association, and the Deutsch-Japanische Gesellschaft Frankfurt. We also supported the festival by advertising in the program magazine sold during the event and assisting at the Frankfurt Japanese Business Association booth. As with the Nippon Connection Japanese Film Festival, we will continue to support such Japan-Germany exchange events to enhance our presence in the local community and contribute to the development of Japan-Germany relations.

Our group company, eCycle, collaborated with the Canadian educational TV program ADVANCEMENTS. The program is a public educational program that highlights important issues and topics in industry and the economy, and aired on Bloomberg TV. In the program, footage of the eCycle Solutions facility in Mississauga, showcasing the processing of discarded appliances and electronic devices, was featured. Additionally, Scott Loughran, the President and CEO of eCycle Solutions, gave an interview to explain about E-Waste recycling and its importance to the formation of a sustainable society.

A major forest fire occurred in Chile in February 2024. The Group holds interests in and conducts business at several copper mines in the Chile, including the Caserones copper mine. In support of the affected communities, we donated the equivalent of 3 million yen to TECHO Chile, a local nonprofit organization that provides temporary housing and distributes disaster relief kits.

From November 7 to November 8, 2023, the Japan Festival was organized by students studying Japanese at the University of Santiago. The university is the only university in South America to offer Japanese language as a major. This event has been held since 2001 with the aim of promoting a broad understanding of Japanese culture among people inside and outside the university. Each year, it showcases various aspects of Japanese culture, including calligraphy, Shinto, and Japanese cuisine.
Chile Office set up a lecture booth at the event, introducing JX Advanced Metals and Chile Office. In particular, we highlighted how Japanese and Chilean employees work together while respecting each other's cultures. We also showcased the roles of Chileans who speak Japanese in supporting expatriate workers. This inspired participating students, many of whom expressed a desire to pursue similar careers in the future. We will continue our exchange with the university by accepting internship students and cooperating in Japanese language classes.