New TSM progress report highlights sustainability performance of Canadian mining companies

Pierre Gratton is the President and CEO for Mining Association of Canada (MAC). — Photo courtesy M&E/Robert Hawkins

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) released its most recent TSM Progress Report which details the work being done by its members regarding environmental and social performance, both priorities for Canada's mining sector. MAC's TSM Progress Report provides an important annual overview on the state of the mining industry, particularly when it comes to responsible mining practices.

Towards Sustainable Mining® (TSM®), a program first established by MAC in 2004, focuses on providing the tools to enable mining companies to meet society's needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way. TSM provides the tools to drive performance and ensure that key mining risks are being managed responsibly. This report includes information on the 2017 performance results for the 67 facilities from 23 companies that reported TSM performance.

"TSM allows mining companies to turn high-level environmental and social commitments into action on the ground and the program's annual progress report provides valuable information on how operations are faring in important areas, such as community outreach, tailings management and biodiversity," said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO for MAC. "We are proud that TSM continues to set the standard for ensuring mining is being done responsibly and are particularly gratified that its presence globally continues to grow with five national mining companies outside of Canada having officially adopted it to improve their own performance."

The 2018 TSM Progress Report includes the first reporting on the new Preventing Child and Forced Labour Protocol and introduces the Water Stewardship Protocol, which was adopted into TSM in November. Both are additions that will strengthen TSM and the role the program plays in promoting responsible practices across the mining sector.

"2017 marks the first year of reporting on TSM's new Preventing Child and Forced Labour Protocol, which was added in order to contribute to global efforts in preventing the use of child and forced labour in the mining supply chain, and to provide the information needed to demonstrate the responsible sourcing of minerals and metals," said Gratton. "Coupled with TSM's new Water Stewardship Protocol, we are confident these measures will continue to ensure that Canada's mining industry is at the forefront of environmental and social performance."

In addition to providing information on the performance of its members, the 2018 TSM Progress Report also highlights the achievements of select members who have been honoured with TSM Leadership Awards in recognition of facilities whose results have been both externally verified and meet or exceed a Level A ranking for all indicators under all seven Protocols included in TSM. This year, eight facilities were recognized, including six from Agnico Eagle, a record number from a single company:

• Agnico Eagle, La India
• Agnico Eagle, Goldex
• Agnico Eagle, Kittila
• Agnico Eagle, Meadowbank
• Agnico Eagle, Pinos Altos
• Agnico Eagle, LaRonde
• Dominion Diamond Mines, Ekati Diamond Mine
• IAMGOLD, Essakane

"The TSM Leadership Awards highlight the best of the best of Canada's mining companies, and we commend Dominion Diamond Mines, IAMGOLD and Agnico Eagle for their outstanding efforts over the past year," concluded Gratton.

To download a copy of the 2018 TSM Progress Report, visit www.mining.ca.

The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $97 billion to national GDP and responsible for 19 percent of Canada's total domestic exports. Canada's mining sector employs 634,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses.

The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca.