Royal Gold is partnered with some of the world’s foremost mining companies that share our commitment to leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. Below are highlights for the partners who operate the largest sources of revenue in our portfolio, as disclosed by each of those partners, that demonstrate the commitment to sound ESG practices across our portfolio.
Andacollo
Operator: Teck Resources Limited
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 16.4%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
- United Nations Global Compact
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
- Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative
- 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (11 consecutive years)
- 2020 Industry Leader in the Metals and Mining Industry on the DJSI
- 2020 Bloomberg Gender Equality Index
- 2021 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations (by Corporate Knights)
- Ranked first in Sustainalytics' Diversified Metals and Mining category
- MSCI World ESG Leaders Index
- FTSE4Good Index
- Jantzi Social Index
Further information: https://www.teck.com/responsibility/
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- On September 17, 2020, Teck Resources Limited announced a transition to 100% renewable power at Andacollo. Under an agreement with AES Gener S.A ("AES Gener"), Andacollo will receive 72 MW, or 550 GWh/year, from AES Gener's portfolio of wind, solar and hydroelectric energy, eliminating approximately 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually
- In 2019, Andacollo progressed watershed-based planning activities to contribute to watershed management in water-stressed regions through water use efficiency projects, use of alternative water sources, water quality improvement measures and capacity building.
- In 2019, freshwater consumption in Chile was reduced by 13% with a target for 15% by 2020.
- In 2019, Andacollo is up to date with respect to annual tailings dam safety inspections by the Engineer of Record and dam safety reviews by an independent, third party engineer, and has received review by a team of independent senior subject matter experts.
- In 2019, Andacollo continued advancing engagement with community members and local government to address concerns with respect to blasting, dust and vibration from mining activities. This included the establishment of a community-managed air quality monitoring station fully managed by the town of Andacollo’s Environmental Panel, providing community members control over real-time, reliable air quality data. Community members will receive necessary training in 2020 to understand the operation and interpret and manage the data.
- A new 3-year collective agreement was signed with two unions at Andacollo in 2019 following the expiry of their collective agreements, and resolution of a strike that lasted for 52 days.
- Teck tracks the number of local employees and focuses on hiring locally. In 2019, Andacollo had 340 local employees and 18 senior management roles filled by locals.
- Teck's Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) management standards outline a high-level framework for the identification and effective management of HSEC issues and risks to support continual improvement in related programs and performance. The HSEC Risk Management Committee, chaired by the CEO, is responsible for overseeing the standards and providing oversight.
- Teck's "Doing What's Right" program reinforces the core values set in the Code of Ethics and includes a whistle-blower hotline and web portal that are managed by a third party. The program is refreshed through bi-annual online training for all officers and directors and employees.
- In 2019, as progress towards a 2020 sustainability strategy goal of developing leaders who can confidently and efficiently manage safe, respectful and productive operations, 345 of Teck’s leaders completed one of our four leadership development programs.
Canadian Malartic
Operator: Canadian Malartic Partnership (owned 50/50 by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Yamana Gold Inc.)
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 1.6%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative (Canadian Malartic Mine)
- World Gold Council (Agnico Eagle and Yamana)
- FTSE4GOOD (Agnico Eagle)
- Member of Top 50 Best Corporate Citizens, Corporate Knights (Agnico Eagle)
- International Cyanide Management Code (Agnico Eagle and Yamana)
Further information: https://canadianmalartic.com/en/sustainable-development/
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
-
2018 environmental compliance results included: Air quality - 100% compliant with Quebec air quality standards pursuant to the Clean Air Regulation: 1,333 consecutive days (from May 8, 2015, to December 31, 2018); Noise - 100% compliant with applicable noise limits under standards in effect; Blasting: 99.6% compliant with Quebec blasting standards - Vibration: 100%, - NOx emissions: 99.6%, - Overpressure: 100%; Water: 100% compliant with current standards.
- During the Collaborative Approach, a wide-reaching consultation process held from 2015 to 2017 to ensure the community was involved in improving Canadian Malartic Mine (CMM)’s practices, the Working Group on Coexistence Issues in Malartic (made up of representatives from the Town of Malartic, the Comité d’échanges et de suivi Canadian Malartic and CMM) developed a Good Neighbour Guide, which is still in use. The Guide includes: Impact prevention, management and mitigation measures; A compensation program relating to the impacts and inconvenience caused by Canadian Malartic Mine operations; Guidelines governing the acquisition of principal residences in Malartic; Guiding principles on the resale of properties acquired by CMM.
- CMM is committed to supporting local initiatives that contribute to Malartic’s vitality and that help to prepare for the post-mine period. Since 2016, CMM has undertaken to support ÉcoMalartic’s sustainable development plan with $300,000 annually. The plan strives, among other things, to prolong the mine’s benefits.
- CMM is committed to gender balance and diversity. In 2018, 17% of the 77 new hires in the Company’s various sectors were women, hourly-rated employees and managers combined. As an example, two female production truck operators were hired.
- The Canadian Malartic Partnership’s (CMM Partnership) vision statement is: “to build a strong organization with a business strategy that offers employees a workplace of choice, contributes to the host community’s well-being and social development and generates superior, long-term yields for our shareholders.” This sustainable development vision is part of CMM’s core values and is implemented through the application of a management system for health and safety, the environment, as well as for relations with employees and host communities.
- The CMM Partnership has a Code of Ethics that sets out the fundamental guidelines governing the ethical behaviour required of all Partnership employees, and all employees of the Partnership and its affiliated entities are subject to the Code and required to sign a form certifying that they understand and agree to be bound by its provisions.
- The CMM Partnership Integrity Monitoring Policy sets out how a Partnership employee or a third party can report a questionable practice or a practice that is contrary to the obligations under the Code of Ethics and the Partnership’s other policies.
Cortez
Operator: Nevada Gold Mines LLC (joint venture owned 61.5% by Barrick Gold Corporation and 38.5% by Newmont Corporation; Barrick is the operator)
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 2.7%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- International Council on Mining and Metals (Barrick and Newmont)
- United Nations Global Compact (Barrick and Newmont)
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) (Barrick and Newmont)
- Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (13 consecutive years)
- World Gold Council (Barrick and Newmont)
- International Cyanide Management Institute (Barrick and Newmont)
Further information: https://www.barrick.com/English/sustainability/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- In 2019, Barrick assessed the technical specifications of the Cortez tailings storage facility against its Tailings and Heap Leach Management Standard, and completed an independent third-party review of the tailings storage facility.
- The Barrick Environmental Policy outline is informed by international best practice, including the IFC Performance Standards.
- In 2019, Biodiversity Action Plan developed and implemented at Cortez to detail the flora, fauna and habitats on and around the site and set out the strategy to restore the site ecosystem to as close as possible to its original state. The plan identifies areas around the mine that could benefit from conservation support and existing conservation areas that require additional support and resources to achieve a net neutral impact, as well as specifies the resources required to put the plan into action and identifies key institutional and local community partnerships that will aid the implementation and review of the plan.
- Following the creation of the Nevada Gold Mines joint venture with Newmont Corporation, Barrick’s community team engaged with more than 1,300 stakeholders and conducted six site tours.
- Barrick partnered with five industry partners, Great Basin College, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to launch the Commercial Driver License (CDL) program at Great Basin College, a local community college in Elko. Together this consortium fund hands-on six week training courses that educate students to understand the laws and best practices of safe commercial driving required to qualify for a Class “A” Commercial Driver License (CDL) in Nevada.
- Barrick has committed to provide $1.3 million a year to the Western Shoshone Scholarship Foundation for 10 years. Scholarships are open to tribal members from the Duck Valley Western Shoshone Paiute Tribe; Duckwater Shoshone Tribe; Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone and its Elko, South Fork and Wells Bands; Ely Shoshone Tribe and Yomba Shoshone Tribe. This program started in 2008 and has provided 1,539 higher education scholarships for Western Shoshone tribal members totaling $3.49 million.
- The Barrick Environmental & Social Oversight Committee is a senior management-level committee that meets quarterly to review the company's sustainability performance and compliance with its sustainability policies, and reports to the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors.
- In 2019, 92% of Barrick employees received Code of Conduct Training, and 100% of supply partners received Supplier Code of Conduct on-boarding.
- Barrick regularly conducts independent audits to align policies and on-site performance with IFC Performance Standards.
Dolores
Operator: Pan American Silver Corporation
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 1.5%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- Mining Association of Canada
- Women in Mining
- Engineers Without Borders
- Centro Mexicano Para la Filantropía (CEMEFI)
- Alianza para la Responsabilidad Social en México (AliaRSE)
Further information: https://panamericansilver.com/sustainabilityreport2019/
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- In 2019, reforestation projects included the planting of more than 360,000 trees at Dolores and the La Arena mine in Peru.
- Work continues at Dolores to restore 40 hectares of community land that was previously affected by cattle over-grazing and natural erosion in order to provide habitat for native fauna.
- In 2018, the Dolores mining camp and a nearby community were connected to the regional power grid.
- In 2019, the Dolores team worked with the community of Arroyo Amplio to encourage the return of essential services to the community, which had left due to local security incidents unrelated to the mine.
- In 2018, significant initiatives to upgrade local infrastructure near the Dolores mine included construction of the road from the Dolores mine to Madera town, and Sanitation planning in Arroyo Amplio, a town near Dolores.
-
Mine Managers implement sustainability programs and initiatives and supervise teams responsible for community relations, environment, safety, and human resources. Mine Managers report into Country Managers who oversee and manage sustainability in each country, who in turn report to the Corporate Management Team, which reports to the Board of Directors. The Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee of the Board of Directors provides policy direction and oversight of safety, environmental, and corporate social responsibility matters.
Holt
Operator: Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 2.2%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- World Gold Council
- International Council on Mining and Metals’ Performance Expectations
Further information: https://www.kl.gold/sustainability/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- Kirkland Lake Gold has an Environmental Management Plan in place that provides a framework to address operational and environmental risks associated with its operations, including an Environmental Risk Register, an Environmental Effects Statement, and a monitoring program.
- All Kirkland Lake Gold operations have air quality monitoring and mitigation programs in place to track and reduce such emissions, and Kirkland Lake Gold also measures and reports greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to national databases.
- In 2018, the Holt mine achieved energy savings of 2,780 MWh/year by upgrading to more energy efficient compressors and by introducing a heat recovery system.
- In 2018, Kirkland Lake Gold committed C$3.2 million to finance the full cost of equipment and upgrades to the Kirkland and District Hospital, including a new CT scanner and upgrading the intensive care suite.
- Kirkland Lake Gold has established an Environmental Subcommittee as part of the Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA) with the First Nations of Matachewan and Wahgoshig in Northern Ontario. Kirkland Lake Gold’s goal is to engage early and often with committee members regarding any exploration or mining project activity in order to keep all parties up to date and to identify and address any potential concerns or planning gaps. Meetings are held quarterly to discuss project status and milestones, provide updates on upcoming or in-progress permitting as it relates to a project, and coordinate annual site visits.
- Kirkland Lake Gold was named 2018 Citizen of the Year for helping to improve the quality of life for people in the Kirkland Lake area. The honour is presented annually by the Kirkland Lake District Chamber of Commerce to local people, groups and/or businesses who have made an outstanding contribution to their community.
- Kirkland Lake Gold has several policies in place intended to express standards and expectations of the people who work on their behalf, which include: Workplace Violence, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Human Rights Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Environmental Policy, Supplier Code of Conduct.
Marigold
Operator: SSR Mining Inc.
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 1.3%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- Catalyst Accord 2022
- 30% Club Canada
- International Cyanide Management Code (Marigold Mining Company)
Further information: http://www.ssrmining.com/corporate_responsibility/
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- As part of SSR Mining’s commitment to manage energy consumption, the Marigold mine uses an innovative shovel technology in which excess energy is fed back into the power grid, with over 99% of shovel-generated power returning to the mine. This technology reduces energy requirements and carbon footprint, all while providing nearly one month of electricity cost savings during the year.
- In 2006, the Marigold mine became the first mine in the world to be certified under the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC). The mine continues to maintain certification under the ICMC.
- At the Marigold mine, there is not a formal definition of “local community” for engagement purposes. Rather, communities are identified for consultation as part of the EIA requirements.
- The Marigold mine continues to support the University of Nevada, Reno. Since 2013, the mine has contributed over $13.3M in royalties to the university.
- At the Marigold mine, there is not an established definition for “local employee” although a significant majority of the mine’s employees are residents of Nevada.
- The Safety and Sustainability Committee of the Board of Directors provides oversight for community relations. As part of its duties and responsibilities, the Committee reviews and monitors the community relations systems, policies, and activities of the company on behalf of the Board. This helps ensure compliance with applicable laws, legislation, and policies as they relate to community relations issues.
Mount Milligan
Operator: Centerra Gold Inc.
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 23.9%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- ICMM Sustainable Development Framework
- World Gold Council
- Mining Association of British Columbia
- International Cyanide Management Code
- Carbon Disclosure Project
Further information: https://www.centerragold.com/responsibility
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- Climate change risk considerations are integrated into life of mine planning, water and tailings management programs, and mine closure planning processes.
- Closure planning is aligned with the ICMM mine closure framework and strong financial surety is in place.
- Mount Milligan Mine is a zero-discharge operation, where 99% of the water used in mining is recycled.
- Community Development Plan used for programs such as the Mount Milligan Donation Program and Community Project, which fund local organizations working to build capacity at the community level in areas such as education, training and health.
- Established the Mount Milligan Community Sustainability Committee (CSC) in May 2008, as an advisory group composed of representatives of area municipalities, regional districts, First Nations, educational institutions and economic development organizations. The CSC is a vehicle for sharing information about the project with key opinion leaders, who in turn share this information with their constituencies. The CSC also serves as a forum for communities of interest to raise questions and concerns for the consideration of the mine management.
- Conduct employee training on code of ethics and anti-bribery/corruption policies.
- A Sustainable Operations Committee of the Board oversees the Board's responsibilities on matters related to safety, health, environment, corporate social responsibility and mineral reserves.
- An ERM program based on leading international risk management standards such as ISO 31000 and COSO ensures risk-informed decision making throughout the organization.
Peñasquito
Operator: Newmont Corporation
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 3.3%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- International Council on Mining and Metals
- United Nations Global Compact
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
- World Gold Council
- 2020 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (13 consecutive years)
- Top gold miner in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (6 consecutive years)
- Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index
- International Cyanide Management Code
Further information: https://www.newmont.com/sustainability/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- In 2019, Peñasquito completed a recertification audit and was in compliance with the International Cyanide Management Code.
- Peñasquito is evaluating a large-scale (greater than 100 MW) solar deployment as a way to address climate change challenges and reduce the carbon footprint of the operation.
- In response to several high-profile tailings dam failures, Newmont and other members of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) agreed to strengthen their tailings management by addressing key governance areas detailed in ICMM’s Preventing Catastrophic Failure of Tailings Storage Facilities position statement.
- In 2019, Peñasquito partnered with an independent nonprofit to develop a monitoring committee with four local communities (Enrique Estrada, Tecolotes, Tables and Matamoros) and conduct a participatory water quality monitoring program that engages residents who have knowledge of the local natural resources.
- As part of efforts to resolve a dispute between certain members of the San Juan de Cedros community, in 2019 Peñasquito and the community entered into a 30-year water agreement that includes water wells and infrastructure and supplements previous investments in water projects aimed at enhancing the water availability for the mine’s 25 neighboring communities. In March 2020, Peñasquito signed a memorandum of understanding for the “Investment and Social Development Plan,” which aims to resolve all outstanding issues with members of the community who were involved in blockades of the operation in 2019.
- In 2016, Peñasquito Mexico launched the Ideas con Valor (Ideas with Value) entrepreneurship program, in which entrepreneurs receive one year of training on business development skills. Those who successfully complete the training receive seed capital to open and support their small businesses. Since the program began, 194 small businesses have been developed, with some of them becoming providers of goods and services to the mine. In 2019, the program supported the opening of 65 new businesses within the communities near the mine.
- The Safety and Sustainability (S&S) Committee of the Board of Directors provides oversight of climate change, GHG emissions, water-related issues and risks, all of which align with Newmont’s broader global energy and climate strategy. Newmont’s Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer, who has primary responsibility for managing the risks, reports to the CEO and provides updates to the S&S Committee on the strategy’s progress and the Company’s performance in achieving strategic objectives and targets.
- Newmont follows a Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Policy to address the key environmental risks faced by its business and the commitments in these areas. This includes a commitment to avoid, minimize, mitigate and/or remediate Newmont’s impacts on the environment, and to maintain overall ecosystem health and resiliency in the areas where it operates. The policy and standards are integrated into the investment system process Newmont uses to evaluate capital investments to ensure those decisions avoid environmental impacts.
- In 2019, 100% of Newmont security personnel at Peñasquito were trained in human rights policies or procedures. Training included participation by 1,686 employees, 570 private security contractors, and 100 public security/law enforcement participants.
Pueblo Viejo
Operator: Barrick Gold Corporation
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 19.6%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- International Council on Mining and Metals
- United Nations Global Compact
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
- Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (12 consecutive years)
- World Gold Council
- International Cyanide Management Code
Further information: https://www.barrick.com/English/sustainability/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- The Barrick Environmental Policy outline is informed by international best practice, including the IFC Performance Standards.
- In 2019, Barrick converted the Quisqueya power plant, which provides energy to the Pueblo Viejo mine, from heavy fuel oil to cleaner burning natural gas. Barrick estimates that changing the station to natural gas will reduce emissions by 260kT CO2-e per year.
- In 2019, Biodiversity Action Plan developed at Pueblo Viejo to detail the flora, fauna and habitats on and around the site and set out the strategy to restore the site ecosystem to as close as possible to its original state. The plan identifies areas around the mine that could benefit from conservation support and existing conservation areas that require additional support and resources to achieve a net neutral impact, as well as specifies the resources required to put the plan into action and identifies key institutional and local community partnerships that will aid the implementation and review of the plan.
- Pueblo Viejo partners with the Dominican Republic’s national education institute INFOTEP to provide technical and skills trainings as well as apprenticeships. Apprenticeship training provides participants from local communities the artisan skills required to work in various occupations in Pueblo Viejo’s operations and outside the mining industry.
- Barrick prioritizes local hiring by committing to the recruitment, training and development of local and host country workers. For example, in 2018, 96% of employees at Pueblo Viejo were Dominican.
- Gender Ambassadors program established, and in July 2019 Pueblo Viejo began the certification process for gender equality under Nordom 775, the Dominican Republic’s standard for gender equality, which provides a framework for the implementation of a management system aimed at achieving gender equality in the workplace.
- The Barrick Environmental & Social Oversight Committee is a senior management-level committee that meets quarterly to review the company's sustainability performance and compliance with its sustainability policies, and reports to the Corporate Governance & Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors.
- In 2019, 92% of Barrick employees received Code of Conduct Training, and 100% of supply partners received Supplier Code of Conduct on-boarding.
- Barrick regularly conducts independent audits to align policies and on-site performance with IFC Performance Standards.
Rainy River
Operator: New Gold Inc.
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 5.2%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- United Nations Global Compact
- Mining Association of Canada
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
- Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative
- International Cyanide Management Code
Further information: https://www.newgold.com/responsibility/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- The number of reportable environmental incidents in 2019 for New Gold decreased to 9 from 23 in 2018.
- Rainy River strives to minimize water use through recycling and reuse, and by preventing water discharge from the site. Rainy River uses reclaimed water from the pit and ensures that no surface water is discharged from the site.
- At Rainy River, air quality is constantly monitored, and dust suppressant is used in areas of high traffic. A dust mitigation plan has been adopted to ensure that the site does not impact negatively on the local air shed.
- In 2019, New Gold achieved a triple-A rating for 4 indicators and a double-A rating for 4 indicators across 8 indicators outlined in the Towards Sustainable Mining Protocols.
- By 2018, New Gold had signed a total of 8 agreements with First Nations and the Métis Nation of Ontario around the Rainy River mine. These will provide a framework for ongoing dialogue on all matters related to the mine and establish mechanisms for communities to benefit from related employment, training and procurement opportunities.
- At Rainy River, a strict health and safety program applies to all operational staff and contractors. The Health and Safety Department provides safety training and support to all departments, with a special focus on near-miss and hazard reporting.
- New Gold prepares an annual Corporate Responsibility Report in accordance with the Core option of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. The GRI Standards are the first global standards for sustainability reporting, representing the global best practice for organizations to report on a range of economic, environmental and social impacts.
- New Gold reinforces governance practices at all levels of the organization as set out in policies including an anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy, a code of business conduct and ethics, a human rights policy, and a whistleblower policy.
Robinson
Operator: KGHM International Limited
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 1.9%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- FTSE4GOOD
- WIG-ESG
- European Technology Platform on Sustainable Mineral Resources
- RESPECT Index, Warsaw Stock Exchange
Further information: https://kghm.com/en/sustainable-development
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- In Q1 2018, as part of the pursuit of its Strategy for 2017-2021, the Company launched some very dynamic activities focused on implementing the Sustainable Development Concept and Management Model at KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. To this end, the Sustainable Development Council was established. The Sustainable Development Council’s key objective stemmed from our business development vision of operating according to accepted standards and canons shaping the future functioning of commodity companies across the world as well as the need for internal information integrity and coherence in the Company’s operations. As regards the former issue, the Council’s main task was to map KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.’s objectives and activities onto the 17 sustainable development goals set by the United Nations (known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development).
- The KGHM Polska Miedź Foundation was established in 2003 to continue long traditions of pro publico bono activities conducted by its Founder – KGHM Polska Miedź S.A., and to implement local and regional initiatives and projects of national and global reach. The Foundation supports important social initiatives and interesting projects in the following four areas: health and safety, science and education, sports and recreation, and culture and tradition. In 2018 funding was provided for: the implementation of 74 health and safety projects, amounting to PLN 3,686,410.00 and 175 individuals were granted donations amounting to PLN 1,499,880.67; PLN 4,570,032.10 was spent for the implementation of 171 sports and recreation projects; funding was provided for 150 projects in the area of culture and tradition, in total amounting to PLN 8,263,551.65; and, PLN 2,565,532.33 was spent for the implementation of 74 projects in the area of science and education.
- KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. strives to act in accordance with the following principles based on specific values: courage, accountability, zero harm, results driven, cooperation. These values are pursued base on ethical standards which are translated in to principles of conduct that are: 1. The Good of Humanity - The individual, as the key and most important capital, deserves particular care and remains at the center of attention of the Company’s bodies. KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. has set itself the goal of building an organizational culture whose foundation is based upon the shaping of relations founded on absolute respect for an employee’s rights and personal welfare, regardless of the place of employment and professional status. 2. The Good of the Company - We look after the good of the KGHM Group, endeavoring to ensure the stable growth of its companies, uninterrupted production and to counter the risk of losses. 3. The Good of our Stakeholders - Solid relations with stakeholders, based on mutual understanding and trust, are of key importance for KGHM Polska Miedź S.A. as an organization which has a substantial impact on its economic, social and natural environments.
Voisey's Bay
Operator: Vale S.A.
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 2.9%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- International Council on Mining and Metals
- United Nations Global Compact
- Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development
- Mining Association of Canada
- Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative
Further information: http://www.vale.com/brasil/EN/sustainability/relatorio-de-sustentabilidade-2019/Pages/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- In December 2019, Vale assumed more ambitious goals in its climate agenda, with 2017 as the base year. The goals are:
- Achieve carbon neutrality in scopes 1 and 2 by 2050
- Reduce scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 33% by 2030, a level compatible with a global temperature increase of up to 2 ºC. This target is linked to the variable remuneration of all Vale employees
- Produce 100% of the electricity consumed globally from renewable sources by 2025 in Brazil and globally by 2030
- Establish ambition to reduce scope 3 emissions
- Recover and protect 500,000 hectares by 2030
- Separate Impacts and Benefits Agreements (IBA) negotiated with Innu Nation and Nunatsiavut Government, which have established specific employment commitments for Innu and Inuit. Vale gives first consideration to aboriginal businesses to provide goods and services to the Voisey’s Bay operation.
- Vale encourages the establishment of capacity building aboriginal joint ventures to meet the supply and service needs for its Labrador operations. Approximately 80% of the operations support contracts at the Voisey's Bay mine and concentrator were with aboriginal businesses.
- The main reference for managing sustainable development at Vale is its Sustainability Policy, which is currently under review and will go for public consultation in 2020.
- The Code of Conduct and the Human Rights, Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change, Anti-Corruption and Socio-Environmental Investment policies are other important references in the company's strategy and sustainable performance, as well as the Social Relationship and Investment Plan with the Community, the Social Action Guide, among others.
- In 2019, the Anti-Corruption Policy, the Risk Management Policy and the Human Rights Policy were updated. In addition, the publication of a new Water Resources Management Policy is being evaluated for 2020.
Wassa
Operator: Golden Star Resources
FY 2019 Revenue contribution: 5.2%
Notable corporate memberships, commitments and achievements:
- United Nations Global Compact
- World Gold Council
- International Cyanide Management Code
- Winner of the Ghana Mining Industry Awards 2019 Mining Company of the Year Award
- Winner of the Prospectors and Developers Association 2018 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award
Further information: http://www.gsr.com/responsibility/default.aspx
Select Corporate and Site-Level Initiatives
- For 2019, Golden Star reported 100% compliance with its air and noise and vibration requirements and 100% compliance with its water management requirements. As of June 2020, Golden Star has received no enforcement actions or fines and have had no reportable environmental incidents since 2011.
- All operations have established environmental management systems which are based on the plan-do-check-act model and are aligned with the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14001 framework. They are overseen by specialist on-site managers and a variety of support staff.
- Since 2010 Golden Star has planted over 178,000 mostly indigenous tree seedlings and spent almost $62 million on reclamation to rehabilitate over 1,100 hectares of land.
- As at the end of 2018 Golden Star operations had applied to the EPA for release of over 40 reclaimed areas of land covering over 100 hectares in total. These have been deemed as achieving Final Completion – in effect, they have been returned to community use. Included in these areas of land are re-forested areas, plantations of economic trees, oil palm plantation, water resources, and areas of land now used by the community for farming and housing estates.
- Since 2006, Golden Star (along with the Golden Star Development Foundation) has built 43 school classrooms and dormitories, and numerous school bus stops.
- In 2019, 99% of the workforce in Ghana were Ghanaian nationals, of which 54% of the workforce and contractors hail from the local host communities.
- In line with its target of increasing the percentage of its workforce that is female to 20% by 2025, Golden Star had an increase to 7% in 2019, from 5.5% in 2018.
- In 2019, Golden Star paid over $75 million in salaries. Golden Star contributed $152 million to the Ghanaian economy through procurement, including $15 million from local businesses.
- Under its Golden Star Oil Palm Plantation (GSOPP) initiative, developed on subsistence farms and rehabilitated mining areas to establish an alternative land use, while ensuring that there is no deforestation, Golden Star has contributed over $8.1 million to date, with the initiative now employing over 700 farmers and part-time contractors. The initiative has planted 1,133 hectares to date.
- Golden Star is a supporter of Project CURE (www.projectcure.org), which since 2003 has delivered 29 containers of medical equipment to Ghana, serving over 18 million people.
- Women now hold 33% of the positions on the Board of Directors and in executive management at Golden Star.
- Corporate Responsibility committee of the Board provides oversight on matters relating to maintenance of a healthy and safe workplace, environmentally sound and responsible resource development, good community relations, and the protection of human rights.
- Golden Star supports the UN Global Compact and continues to integrate the principles into its business activities.
- Golden Star has created several policies to ensure that all stakeholders can be confident in the credibility of its business conduct, including: Policy on Safety, Health and Wellbeing, Policy on Human Rights, Policy on Community Development and Support, Policy on the Environment, Policy on Community Relations, Policy on Inclusion and Diversity, Code of Ethics for Directors and Officers, Business Conduct and Code of Ethics, Whistleblower Policy.
