OTTAWA, Nov. 22, 2011 /CNW/ – During its annual Mining Day on the Hill, The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is presenting its 2010 Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Awards, recognizing Canadian mining facilities that have demonstrated excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
2010 TSM Award recipients include Barrick Gold Corporation, De Beers Canada Inc., Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., Iron Ore Company of Canada, Syncrude Canada Ltd., Teck Resources Limited, and Xstrata. Facilities owned by these companies demonstrated performance excellence in a number of categories:
•Tailings Management.
•Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
•External Outreach.
•Crisis Management Planning.
TSM performance categories for 2011 onwards will also include:
•Aboriginal and Community Outreach (replacing the External Outreach category).
•Biodiversity Conservation Management.
•Safety and Health.
TSM was developed by MAC in 2004 to improve the mining industry’s performance by helping companies to manage their corporate responsibilities for social and environmental sustainability. The industry has adopted a common set of measurable sustainability guidelines and performance indicators that provide a way for the sector to find common ground with communities of interest in order to build a better mining industry, today and in the future.
Participation in TSM is a condition of membership in MAC; the association requires members to report against performance indicators annually. TSM Awards are presented each year to MAC member companies that have had externally verified results that meet or exceed a ranking of “A.”
BARRICK GOLD’S HEMLO OPERATION: RECIPIENT OF A TSM LEADERSHIP AWARD
This year, Barrick Gold’s Hemlo operation in Northern Ontario is the recipient of a special TSM Leadership Award, given to recognize mining operations that meet or exceed an “A” ranking across all TSM performance categories. These results are independently audited and Hemlo is only the second operation to win such an award since 2006.
While Hemlo’s scores reflect leadership across all TSM categories, external outreach is a critical part of the operation’s – and Barrick’s – ongoing commitment to responsible mining. Hemlo works with a wide range of communities of interest, including two First Nations, three municipalities and a national park. The operation regularly engages in meaningful and transparent dialogue with stakeholders, and holds site update meetings at least three times annually. Hemlo partners with local organizations and institutions on programs to benefit the region and organizes Student Mining Days, which bring mining information and technology to area schools.
The mine has developed constructive relationships with the Pic River and Pic Mobert communities and has established Socio-Economic Agreements to bring opportunities associated with the operation to its First Nations neighbours. The Agreements provide for skills training for present and future mining opportunities, through a partnership with Confederation College, as well as support for the development of First Nations-led businesses and involvement in environmental monitoring and stewardship. Today, about 10 percent of Hemlo’s workforce comes from local Aboriginal communities.
QUOTES
“While our industry’s economic contribution to Canada is clear, the progress that’s been made to strengthen the credibility and reputation of the sector beyond the balance sheet is significant. This year’s TSM award winners all have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to responsible and sustainable development and are great examples of our industry’s commitment to sustainable mining.”
Pierre Gratton, MAC’s President and Chief Executive Officer
“Barrick is only the second company to win a Leadership Award since the TSM Awards were inaugurated in 2006. The management and staff at Barrick’s Hemlo facility are to be congratulated on operating a facility that Canada’s mining industry can hold up as an example of sustainable mining excellence.”
Pierre Gratton, MAC’s President and CEO
“Whether in Canada or abroad, Barrick strives to meet high standards for corporate social responsibility. By meeting these standards and proactively engaging with local communities and stakeholders, we are able to maintain strong support for our operations. We are very proud to see our Hemlo operation recognized as a leader in responsible mining by Canada’s mining industry, and congratulate everyone involved in this great achievement.”
Kelvin Dushnisky, Executive Vice President, Corporate and Legal Affairs
“We are honoured to be receiving this special award. At Hemlo, we place great value on our relationships with First Nations, local communities and on environmental stewardship.”
Roger Souckey, Superintendent of Employee Relations at Hemlo
BOILERPLATE
The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) is the trusted national voice of Canada’s mining and mineral processing industry. Since 1935, MAC has supported and promoted the mining industry providing leadership, sharing resources and continuing to build, strengthen and engage the industry through advocacy, stewardship and collaboration. The Association places a high priority on corporate social responsibility, and through initiatives like “Towards Sustainable Mining” addresses issues surrounding sustainability and governing policies in a collaborative, progressive way. For more information about the Mining Association of Canada, please visit www.mining.ca
LINKS
•Mining Association of Canada
•TSM 2011 Progress Report
•Beyond Borders
Image with caption: “The David Bell mine is an underground mine at Barrick Gold’s Hemlo property, located approximately 350 kilometres east of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Williams and David Bell mines share milling, processing and tailings facilities at Hemlo. (CNW Group/Mining Association of Canada (MAC))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111122_C7935_PHOTO_EN_7027.jpg
Image with caption: “The Williams mine is an underground and open pit mine at Barrick Gold’s Hemlo property, located approximately 350 kilometres east of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Williams and David Bell mines share milling, processing and tailings facilities at Hemlo. (CNW Group/Mining Association of Canada (MAC))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111122_C7935_PHOTO_EN_7038.jpg
Image with caption: “One of Barrick Gold’s progressive rehabilitated sites at Hemlo, planted in 2006. The David Bell mine head frame is in the background. (CNW Group/Mining Association of Canada (MAC))”. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20111122_C7935_PHOTO_EN_7031.jpg
For further information:
Paul Hebert (MAC)
(613) 233-9392, ext 325
phebert@mining.ca
Andy Lloyd (Barrick)
(416) 307-7414
alloyd@barrick.com