Biodiversity and Ecotoxicity

As recommended in the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2025, Qatar Steel is committed to preserving Qatar’s natural environment. Consultants and studies have ensured that Qatar Steel’s operations are not conducted in areas of high biodiversity value and do not have a harmful impact on the biodiversity in its region.

Qatar Steel is located in the Mesaieed Industrial City-MIC, a designated area for industrial usage. There are no natural habitats, reserves or sanctuaries in the nearby area surrounding the industrial city. The sea is the only significant natural body near to the plant. There are two ports, the MIC Mesaieed Industrial City Port and Qatar Steel’s Port located near to the Qatar Steel boundary. Both of the ports are protected by Qatar’s environmental Laws to prevent any kind of harmful activities. Analysis from earlier Environmental Impact Assessment studies which were conducted prior to any new project, showed that the area has low environmental significance and therefore the potential of environmental impacts is also low. Ecotoxicity studies are always conducted when new materials are procured.

As per the consent to operate and other regulatory requirements and guidelines applicable, Qatar Steel is monitoring the emissions, conducting environmental studies, and submitting the reports to the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and local authority at QP-MIC. There weren’t any raised reports regarding the negative impacts of Qatar Steel’s plant on society or biodiversity. Most of the company’s environmental emissions are within the consent to operate assigned limits of Qatar’s MME for analysis of gases, particulate matters, blown down water (processed water) discharge analysis, noises, and other environmental factors

A Biodiversity Impact assessment was carried out in 2021, which concluded that as Qatar Steel’s operations are not conducted in areas of high biodiversity value and do not have a harmful impact on the biodiversity of the region, no further action or study is required. Nevertheless, to improve biodiversity in the company’s premises, QPSC planted around 139 different varieties of trees in year 2021. The planted trees species are Ziziphus spina-christi, Acacia Tortilis and Mesquites, which are all native to Qatar and are able to sustain in the local climate and
allows to enhance biodiversity within the plant area. The Tree plantation initiative will be continued in 2022.

A study regarding the ecotoxicity of the substances utilized in Qatar Steel’s plants has been commissioned and carried out in 2021. This shows that the only substances of concern used in the plants are Sodium Tetraborate and Titanium Oxide quantities max equal to 0.02%). Qatar Steel conducts periodical analysis to search such compounds in seawater and groundwater, and these are always below the detection limits of the methods and periodic inspection and audits to cover for correct disposal of empty chemical containers are carried out.