Archive | Corporate Social Responsibility

Kirkland Lake Gold donates $500,000 to Timmins college – by Staff (Northern Ontario Business – December 20, 2019)

December 23, 2019 in Canadian Regional Media and Web Publications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gold and Silver, Ontario Mining

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Funds will support applied research at Northern College’s Innovation Hub

Kirkland Lake Gold has donated $500,000 to help advance applied research and development at Northern College in Timmins. The funds will be used to support the college’s new 24,000-square-foot applied research lab through its Innovation Hub.

Located in the school’s F wing, the space will include labs for R&D in manufacturing, prototyping, welding, carpentry, virtual reality, simulations, alternative energy, and mining exploration, along with additional classroom space. Company president-CEO Tony Makuch was in Timmins on Dec. 20 to make the presentation.

“We fully recognize the importance of advancing research and innovation in our region and are delighted to be supporting Northern College and its Innovation Hub in launching this important new initiative,” Makuch said in a Dec. 20 news release. Continue Reading →

NEWS RELEASE: The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive & Kids Helping Kids Campaign Wraps Up Another Successful Year

December 19, 2019 in Corporate Social Responsibility, Ontario Mining, Sudbury Basin, Vale

SUDBURY, December 18, 2019 – Today the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive and Kids Helping Kids campaign wrapped up another successful year with the generous support of the Rainbow District School Board and over 250 local businesses.

“We are so grateful for each and every donation to the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive and Kids Helping Kids. The food and money collected through this campaign will once again provide one-quarter of the needs of the Sudbury Food Bank for the entire year,” said Mellaney Dahl, President of the Sudbury Food Bank.

The Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive is expected to collect more than 100 tons of food again this year. The annual campaign has collected more than 1,000 tons of food since it first began.

“It’s rare that a single individual can start a tradition like this in the workplace and in a community,” said Mike McCann, Head of Mining and Milling for Vale’s North Atlantic Operations “We’re proud to continue the tradition that Edgar started at our operations so many years ago.” Continue Reading →

Hospital receives $350,000 from Detour Mine – by Richa Bhosale (Timmins Daily Press – December 18, 2019)

December 18, 2019 in Canadian Regional Media and Web Publications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gold and Silver, Ontario Mining, Timmins

https://www.timminspress.com/

Timmins and District Hospital struck gold Tuesday receiving $350,000 from a mining operation in Cochrane. Detour Gold donated $250,000 while Franco Nevada Corporation, which is Detour Gold’s business partner at the Cochrane-based mine, contributed an additional $100,000 to the Timmins hospital.

“These funds will support many different areas of the hospital, including the Northern School of Medicine Suite, the creation of a Sensory Cart in our emergency department, a pulmonary function test machine and emergency department renovations,” explained Jason Laneville, executive director of the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation (TADHF).

Laneville said Detour Gold has been supporting the hospital for many years now and they are one of their largest donors. With this cheque, Detour Gold marked its fifth-consecutive year bringing its total donations in that time to $1.8 million. Continue Reading →

Why Mining — Yes, Mining — Cares About Sustainability – by Andrew Winston (Harvard Business Review – April 24, 2018)

November 26, 2019 in Copper, Corporate Social Responsibility, International Media Resource Articles, Latin America Mining

https://hbr.org/

In the early days of corporate environmentalism, the focus was mainly on big, heavy industries. Fossil fuels and mining had the most obvious environmental issues, as well as extensive regulatory regimes to navigate.

These days, however, sustainability discussions are more often focused on the actions of consumer product, retail, and tech brands. But it’s important to check in periodically with the big guns of environmental impact and see how they’re thinking about these issues.

Thus, it was with real interest that I recently found myself in Chile visiting the World Copper Congress, where I spoke at a dinner for 1,800 executives held by the Center for Copper and Mining Studies (CESCO). There, it became clear to me that the modern sustainability agenda — beyond regulatory compliance — is becoming critical to this sector, with both risks and opportunities stemming from environmental and social pressures. Continue Reading →

Canada’s mining industry in Africa and social responsibility – by Benjamin Musampa (Policy Options – November 20, 2019)

November 21, 2019 in Africa Mining, Canada Mining, Canadian Media Resource Articles, Corporate Social Responsibility

Policy Options – Institute for Research on Public Policy

Canada’s international development assistance for developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa received scant attention in the recent (2019) election. Under Justin Trudeau’s Liberals Canada’s commitment to international development has been much lower than many other Conservative governments around the world.

Canada is fortunate to have a considerable endowment of minerals and metals. Africa also holds 30 percent of the worlds mineral resources. But Africa, despite being so richly endowed, has drawn little benefit from this mineral wealth and remains one the poorest continents on the globe.

Canada’s mining industry, with its skilled and diverse workforce and leadership in corporate social responsibility, could assist mineral-rich African nations with addressing their lack of skilled workforce in this competitive industry. Continue Reading →

Green technology revolution needs a green metals revolution – by Andy Home (Reuters U.S. – November 6, 2019)

November 7, 2019 in Battery Technology Innovation/Electric Vehicles, Corporate Social Responsibility, International Media Resource Articles, Mining Conflict and Opposition

https://www.reuters.com/

LONDON (Reuters) – “Society expects more of our industry.” That was the stark warning from Jean-Sebastien Jacques, head of one of the world’s largest mining companies, Rio Tinto, in a keynote speech at last week’s London Metal Exchange Week.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind we will face greater regulation and scrutiny,” Jacques went on to say. The scrutiny has already begun. The next day environmental protesters disrupted the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne, leading to multiple arrests and a draconian threat by Australia’s prime minister to ban future anti-mining demonstrations.

Half way around the world, protesters were blocking access roads to SQM’s lithium operations high in Chile’s Atacama Desert in a rumbling dispute over water rights. Here writ small is the industrial metals industry’s big problem. Continue Reading →

Vale participates in mental-health campaign – by Staff (Sudbury Star – October 9, 2019)

October 10, 2019 in Canadian Regional Media and Web Publications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ontario Mining, Sudbury Basin

https://www.thesudburystar.com/

Vale is participating in a campaign to reduce stigmas around mental health. The Elephant in the Room initiative of Mood Disorders Society of Canada aims to break down barriers and provide support for those struggling with mental-health concerns.

Vale is a national sponsor of the organization and “continues to demonstrate commitment to raising awareness and addressing the stigma associated with mental illness within our communities and workplaces,” according to a release from Mood Disorders Society of Canada.

Vale’s Sudbury Operations will be inviting all employees who have received mental-health first aid training to support the launch of the campaign by bringing the Elephant in the Room – literally and figuratively — into the workplace in the form of a blue elephant. Continue Reading →

Column: Miners rate social licence, climate change as top concerns. Really? – by Clyde Russell (Reuters U.K. – October 8, 2019)

October 8, 2019 in Corporate Social Responsibility, International Media Resource Articles

https://uk.reuters.com/

LAUNCESTON, Australia (Reuters) – The top concern among global miners, for a second year running, is how to keep a social licence to operate, especially amid rising pressure for the industry to tackle climate change.

But knowing what the main challenge is, and knowing what to do about it appear to be two different things. A survey of global mining companies by consultants EY showed that 44% of executives ranked maintaining a social licence to operate as their leading concern, with preparing for the workforce of the future the next most important challenge.

The social licence refers to how much a company’s business practices are accepted by employees, interest groups and the overall public. “The sector is facing greater scrutiny from end consumers, demanding a transparent ethical supply chain as well as a lower carbon footprint,” the report said. Continue Reading →

OPINION: Mining companies must show how they are prioritizing sustainable and inclusive growth to redefine their image – by Paul Mitchell (Globe and Mail – October 4, 2019)

October 4, 2019 in Canada Mining, Canadian Media Resource Articles, Corporate Social Responsibility

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/

Paul Mitchell is the EY Global Mining & Metals Leader. He recently toured Canada speaking to executives in the mining and metals sector. He is based in Sydney, Australia.

Canada’s mining and metals sector is going through an intense period of transformation. Digital advances aren’t the only factors redefining the sector’s future. Growing public conversation and focus on social responsibility are influencing decisions at the executive table. For the second year in a row, miners cited licence to operate as the number one risk and opportunity facing their business.

A number of key elections and resulting government changes or potential ones to come – particularly in Africa and Latin America – are heightening this risk. Future regulation around mining licences or royalties are unknown in certain parts of the world as governments face pressure to balance economic gains with the interests of their people.

End consumers are increasing pressure on the sector, demanding ethical supply chains and a lower carbon footprint. But it’s not just the general public that’s increasing pressure. Continue Reading →

Kugluktuk finding new ways to produce fresh food, mining company [TMAC Resources Inc.] lends a hand – by Jackie McKay (CBC News North – May 7, 2019)

May 8, 2019 in Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas, Canada Mining – North of 60, Corporate Social Responsibility, Gold and Silver

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/

Kugluktuk, Nunavut, is finding new ways to provide the community with fresh produce. In April the hamlet harvested its first batch of leafy greens from the community greenhouse.

The greenhouse is a converted shipping container with a hydroponic system. “It helps in many different ways, first is providing a reliable source of leafy greens which can be some of the most temperamental vegetables to fly up to the Arctic,” said Matt Stadnyk, manager of community economic development for the hamlet of Kugluktuk.

It’s mostly leafy greens such as mixed lettuce, spinach and kale grown at the moment. The container can produce about 325 plants a week. The idea is for the community to have an alternative to costly air freight for fresh produce. But the hamlet doesn’t want to create competition with the grocery stores. Continue Reading →

Federal government gives $4.2 million to renewables projects at northern mines – by Kylie Williams (CIM Magazine – January 29, 2019)

January 30, 2019 in Canada Mining – North of 60, Canadian Media Resource Articles, Corporate Social Responsibility, Glencore, Mining Power Issues, Quebec Mining

https://magazine.cim.org/en/

Wind turbines and compressed air energy storage to displace diesel at Raglan and Hope Bay

The federal government is investing $4.2 million in two renewable energy projects in Quebec and Nunavut to reduce reliance on fossil fuels at mines in Canada’s north.

Both projects will be managed by Tugliq Energy Corporation, a renewable energy company focused on remote regions.

The projects will be funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Energy Innovation Program, said Paul Lefebvre, the parliamentary secretary to Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, at the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia’s (AME) Roundup conference in Vancouver on Monday. Continue Reading →

NEWS RELEASE: MINERS FOR CANCER DONATES $20,000 TO Sudbury NECC PEDIATRIC UNIT AT ANNUAL ALLAN EPPS MEMORIAL HOCKEY CHALLENGE

January 29, 2019 in Corporate Social Responsibility, Mining and Hockey (Canada), Sudbury Basin, Vale

M4CHockey: Seen here is young Malleck Kennedy (currently receiving active treatment at the Northeast Cancer Centre) dropping the puck at the opening ceremony with Wayne Tonelli, President of Miners for Cancer (back right), Garson Mine captain Shawn Plourde (left) and Sandvik Captain Denis Desforges (right)

Sudbury, January 29, 2019 – Members of Miners for Cancer announced on Friday at their annual Allan Epps Memorial Hockey Challenge a $20,000 donation towards the Northeast Cancer Centre’s (NECC) Pediatric Unit.

“Cancer is one of the leading cause of death by disease for children in Canada,” said Wayne Tonelli, Miners for Cancer President. “If we can help even one child’s chances of survival with our fundraising efforts, all the hard work behind our events is worth it.”

The donation will support the pediatric oncology unit’s unique equipment required to support the NECC’s youngest patients. Continue Reading →

Miners aim to rebuild global reputation – by Nelson Bennett (Business in Vancouver – December 12, 2018)

December 13, 2018 in Aboriginal and Inuit Mining and Oil/Gas, Canada Mining, Canadian Regional Media and Web Publications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Goldcorp Inc.

https://biv.com/

Canadian companies working to improve industry’s image

Over the years, Canadian mining companies operating overseas in developing countries have earned a bad reputation for their treatment of the environment, workers and local indigenous people.

There have been recent high-profile cases of Canadian mining companies being sued in Canadian courts for alleged violence against protests in Guatemala and alleged use of slave labour in Eritrea. Less frequently in the headlines are the positive things some Canadian miners are doing in the countries where they operate.

B2Gold Corp. (TSX:BTO), for example, has won a number of awards for its corporate responsibility efforts in Nicaragua, the Philippines, and Namibia, and NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX:NXE), a Vancouver uranium mine developer, recently won an award from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada for social development programs it has initiated in La Loche, Saskatchewan. Continue Reading →

OPINION: Why Canada should be the home of ecologically-responsible natural resources – by Lorraine Mitchelmore (Globe and Mail – December 11, 2018)

December 11, 2018 in Canada Mining, Canadian Media Resource Articles, Corporate Social Responsibility, Oil and Gas Sector-Politics and Image

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/

Lorraine Mitchelmore is chair of the Resources of the Future Economic Strategy Table and former president of Shell Canada.

The expression “can’t see the forest for the trees” could have been coined by a typically modest Canadian. It summarizes perfectly much of our current attitude to the embarrassment of riches that constitute our natural resources: our vast forests, our wealth of metals and minerals and our diverse reserves of energy that make us a top producer in many categories.

We have commodities that would be the envy of any other country in the world. And yet, for a variety of reasons, we seem determined not to take full advantage of them. We are not building as many projects as we should, we are not attracting our share of global capital, we are not fully reaching global markets and, in certain cases, we are selling our products at significant discounts to the benefit of other countries.

As a result, the resource sector is not generating the level of wealth for Canada in the form of taxes, royalties, community investments, jobs and business opportunities of which it is capable. Continue Reading →

NEWS RELEASE: VALE DONATES $100,000 TO PLACE DES ARTS (November 12, 2018)

November 15, 2018 in Corporate Social Responsibility, Sudbury Basin, Vale

(Sudbury, November 12, 2018) In its capital fundraising campaign, Share Our Sense of Place, Place des Arts has received a generous donation of $100,000 from Vale. The company made the announcement at the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario’s annual benefit concert on Friday, November 9, 2018.

“Vale is proud to support Place des Arts and the future role it will play as a cultural hub in the City of Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario,” said Ricus Grimbeek, Chief Operating Officer for Vale’s North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries. “We look forward to the grand opening and celebrating this centre for the arts with everyone in our community for generations to come.”

Place des Arts will be Northern Ontario’s first multidisciplinary arts and culture centre. It will be home to eight cultural organizations and is expected to host 850 events in its first year and generate 50,000 admissions. Phase 1 of construction began on October 29th and Phase 2 will follow in 2019. The estimated economic effects of construction are $18.7 million, with the creation of 180 jobs. Continue Reading →