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Corporate Social Responsibility

B.C. to get new Canadian institute for mining, development abroad – by Peter O’Neil (Vancouver Sun – November 23, 2012)

http://www.vancouversun.com/index.html

OTTAWA – B.C. will be the location for a new “world class” Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development, the Harper government announced Friday.

The University of B.C., collaborating with Simon Fraser University, beat out other competitors in the competition to host the institute, which will get up to $25 million in federal funding over five years.

The announcement was made to a business audience in Toronto Friday by International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino, who unveiled a new strategy to ensure that Canada’s $5 billion in annual international aid promotes the Canadian economy as well as advances development in less developed countries.

The institute is part of a recent federal strategy of lining up non-governmental organizations to work with mining companies to ensure local communities benefit from major projects.

The move has been controversial, with critics accusing the government of using scarce aid dollars to subsidize Canadian mining firms who have often faced controversy in developing countries.

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Ottawa signals shift in foreign-aid policy [mining CSR] – by Kim Mackrael (Globe and Mail – November 23, 2012)

Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

The federal government is signalling a profound shift in its approach to foreign aid that could see Canada’s international development agency align itself more closely with the private sector and work more explicitly to promote Canada’s interests abroad.

International Co-operation Minister Julian Fantino outlined his vision for the agency’s future in an address to the Economic Club of Canada Friday morning, his first major speech since taking the job several months ago. The Canadian International Development Agency funds humanitarian aid and long-term development projects intended to help people living in poverty.

Mr. Fantino’s remarks focused on the role private companies – particularly in the mining sector – can play in helping CIDA achieve its development objectives, part of a controversial change in emphasis for an agency that has historically been careful to differentiate between its work with corporations and non-governmental organizations.

The minister explained that he views the private sector as the most important driver of long-term economic growth, and that the agency will pursue more partnerships with Canadian companies.

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Nest egg [Noront Ring of Fire mine] – by Correy Balwin (CIM Magazine – November 2012)

http://www.cim.org/en.aspx

Noront Resources plans to build a “model mine for the future”

The Eagle’s Nest site, situated in the wetlands of the James Bay Lowlands, first appeared problematic to develop: the lack of exposed bedrock posed obvious logistical and environmental challenges. Noront’s solution was to develop a subsurface mine plan in which much of the milling facilities would be housed in a series of underground chambers.

“We have a unique situation,” says Paul Semple, Noront’s COO, “and I think we’ve come up with an innovative solution.” For Eagle’s Nest, the subsurface mine plan is possible because of the high competency of the subsurface waste rock – a granodiorite – that is much stronger than concrete and can support large open chambers. The chambers themselves will vary in size, with the largest spanning 16 metres.

The waste rock created by these excavations will be used for roads, concrete and foundations for a base camp.

Producing its own aggregate also allows Noront to control certain logistical and economic risks. “It just made common sense on a lot of fronts,” says CEO Wes Hanson. “Ultimately, I think it’s going to be a cheaper means of construction.” Making larger underground chambers is much less expensive than transporting construction materials by plane or winter road; fewer materials are needed, and much of it is already on site.

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Noront Resources Fourth Annual Ring of Fire Christmas Fund – “Giving the Gift of Christmas”

The staff of Noront Resources, in cooperation with North-South Partnership for Children, is proud to present the Fourth Annual Ring of Fire Christmas Fund. Thanks to the support of the Noront Board of Directors, suppliers, employees, and friends, we raised over $55,000 during the first three years, giving children under 12 in the communities of Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations a wrapped Christmas gift. This year, we have extended the Christmas Fund to the Neskantaga First Nation!

In addition to wrapped gifts, previous years’ funds introduced a mentorship initiative, which brought two former NHL hockey players to Webequie First Nation. We are hoping to continue this initiative by bringing a Canadian mentor to the communities again in 2012.

All donations made online at www.northsouthpartnership.com will receive tax receipts.

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NEWS RELEASE: Inmet Mining Partners With the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

10/31/2012

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 31, 2012) – Inmet Mining Corporation (TSX:IMN) and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation are thrilled to announce the Canadian-based global mining company’s generous contribution of one million dollars over four years in support of the molecular profiling program at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, led by Dr. Lillian Siu and her colleagues. Molecular profiling of cancer genes identifies characteristics of a tumour that are specific to each patient. Understanding the unique characteristics of each patient’s cancer will lead to individualized treatment that ultimately will result in higher response rates.

Jochen Tilk, President & CEO of Inmet Mining Corporation, has been a longstanding supporter of The Princess Margaret and its vision to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime. Tilk and his team at Inmet Mining have participated in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer since it began five years ago and he has recently accepted the position of 2013 Honourary Chair. In his role, he will assist in continuing to build on the success of the event and invite other like-minded companies to join in the fight to conquer cancer by riding 200+km on June 8-9, 2013 and raising crucial funds to help revolutionize Personalized Cancer Medicine at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

“I am thrilled to play an even more integral role at The Princess Margaret and contribute to one of the leading cancer research centres in the world,” said Jochen Tilk. “I am a strong supporter and advocate of The Princess Margaret and I believe in supporting the vision to conquer cancer in our lifetime.”

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Mining mediator renewed for three more years – by James Munson (iPolitics.com – October 22, 2012)

http://www.ipolitics.ca/

Marketa Evans has been reappointed as Canada’s counsellor for corporate social responsibility in the extractive sector for another three years.

Evans was the first person to take up the job after it was created in 2009 as part of Ottawa’s response to growing allegations of human rights abuses, social conflicts and environmental degradation by Canadian firms overseas.

So far, communities in central Mexico, Mauritania and Argentina have sought the counsellor’s help for everything from labour disputes to air pollution to water usage.

But companies don’t have to participate in mediation if they don’t want to, something critics say renders the office useless. So far, companies have declined to participate in two of the three cases the office has handled.

Before her first appointment in 2009, Evans was a bank executive and executive director of the Munk Centre for International Studies in Toronto, according to the Foreign Affairs website.

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Massive project extended to 2016: Vale – by Harold Carmichael (Sudbury Star – October 13, 2012)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Vale’s $2-billion environmental project in Copper Cliff remains a go, but its completion date is being extended into 2016, the company said Friday.

“To mitigate risks associated with the (Clean Atmospheric Emissions Reduction) project, we now intend to take some additional time to complete the project, both to better position ourselves for success and to address short-term cash-flow constraints in light of current market conditions,” Vale spokeswoman Angie Robson said Friday.

“The end result of this approach is a change in schedule for some of the gas capture components of the project to align with our scheduled planned maintenance period in September, 2015.

“The (planned maintenance period) is the available window to complete the final tie-in work, so that all of the new systems will be ready for start-up and commissioning once the September 2015 (planned maintenance period) ends. The end result will mean the project will be completed in 2016 instead of the end of 2015.”

The massive project will modernize Vale’s Copper Cliff smelting complex and result in a significant reduction in sulphur-dioxide emissions.

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Sudbury Mansour family antes up [donation for Living with Lakes Centre] – by Star Staff (Sudbury Star – October 5, 2012)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

A prominent business family in Sudbury has donated $500,000 to support environmental remediation studies that will help ensure the health and sustainability of the world’s freshwater systems.

“The future sustainability of our lakes is a pressing issue — one of the most important of our lifetimes,” said Milad Mansour, president of Milman Industries Inc., said in a statement. “We need to find innovative solutions to ensure their preservation, and this is the absolute best place to do it, no question.”

“I have always taught my children that giving is more precious than receiving,” said Nora Mansour. “It is a wonderful feeling to give back to our community by supporting Laurentian University.”

Milman Industries Inc. provides a wide array of products, as well as services. Located at two sites, Milman Industries features 13 companies that serve customer’s needs, from hoses to diesel or electric locomotives, scrap metal recycling, railway equipment and track repair, to sea and rail transportation.

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NEWS RELEASE: OSISKO DEPOSITS THE SECOND TRANCHE OF ITS FINANCIAL GUARANTEE COVERING THE ENTIRE COST OF REHABILITATING THE CANADIAN MALARTIC SITE

Osisko Deposits the Second Tranche of its Financial Guarantee Covering the Entire Cost of Rehabilitating the Canadian Malartic Site

MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire – Oct. 3, 2012) – Osisko Mining Corporation (the “Company” or “Osisko”) (TSX:OSK)(FRANKFURT:EWX) is proud to announce that it has deposited the amount of $12.7 million with the Quebec Government, to cover the cost of rehabilitating its new Canadian Malartic mine site in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region of Quebec. Amounts deposited to date total $34.8 million. Osisko intends to deposit an additional $11.6 million next year, thereby completing its commitment to deposit in the first years of operations, the entire financial guarantee covering the total costs of the environmental rehabilitation of its Canadian Malartic mine.

Osisko is the first mining company in Quebec to deposit its full financial guarantee at commencement of operations. This full deposit exceeds the legislation currently in force in Quebec.

Sean Roosen, President and Chief Executive Officer, noted: “By accelerating the deposit of this significant financial guarantee, Osisko ensures that Quebec taxpayers will never be responsible for assuming the rehabilitation costs of the Canadian Malartic mine. We are proud of our leadership with the measure, and in our ability to demonstrate corporate responsibility towards the citizens of Quebec and our shareholders.”

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[Sudbury] City’s lakes not out of the woods yet – by Heidi Ulrichsen – (Sudbury Northern Life – October 3, 2012)

This article came from Northern Life, Sudbury’s biweekly newspaper.

Blue-green algae the next big threat: Vital Signs

The city’s lakes have seen a dramatic recovery since local mining companies started cutting back on their air emissions 30 years ago, said the honorary chair of this year’s Vital Signs Report.

John Gunn, director of the Vale Living with Lakes Centre, said sulphate levels in Clearwater Lake, located in the city’s South End, have decreased dramatically since 1973, while the pH level has gone back up. Nickel, copper and aluminium levels have also decreased in the lake.

Gunn was the keynote speaker at the Oct. 2 launch of the report. He said fish populations have also dramatically increased at a number of local lakes. For example, in 1990, McFarlane Lake had only four types of fish — now it has 12

Those are facts found within the 20-page 2012 edition of the Greater Sudbury’s Vital Signs report, titled the City of Lakes Edition, a document coined as Greater Sudbury’s annual check-up. It’s put together by the Sudbury Community Foundation.

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Sulphur controls paying off: Report – by Sebastien Perth (Sudbury Star – October 3, 2012)

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Biodiversity in Greater Sudbury lakes is making a strong comeback as air pollution has seen a steady decline since the ’60s.

The 2012 Vital Signs report from the Sudbury Community Foundation was launched Tuesday from the Vale Living with Lakes Centre. This year’s report, titled City of Lakes Edition, focused on environmental recovery and the flourishing biodiversity seen over the years as air pollution is reduced.

Dr. John Gunn, the director of the Living with Lakes Centre, outlined some of the key findings for the crowd of about 40 gathered at the centre. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in Greater Sudbury are at one of their lowest levels ever, down from a record high in the 1960s when more SO2 was released in Sudbury than in Japan.

The SO2 killed off wildlife, made some lakes unusable and gave Sudbury a reputation it’s still trying to shake. Gunn said at some point, major polluters realized they could reduce emissions and save on their bottom line at the same time. That has led to a steady and sharp decline in SO2 emissions, and improved biodiversity in the region.

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Underground mill proposed for Eagle’s Nest – by Norm Tollinsky (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – September 2012)

Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal is a magazine that showcases the mining expertise of North Bay, Timmins and Sudbury.

Building an underground mine in one of the world’s largest wetlands regions 350 kilometres from the nearest transportation infrastructure poses several challenges. Without an obvious source of aggregate, how do you construct surface infrastructure, and with no roads, how do you get the ore to market?
 
Noront Resources, a junior mining company based in Toronto, faced these precise challenges following the discovery of its Eagle’s Nest deposit in the Ring of Fire, an 80 kilometre by 100 kilometre swath of muskeg in Northern Ontario that has been described as one of the most significant mineral bearing areas to be discovered in Canada.
 
“If (Eagles Nest) was beside a highway or a railway, it would be in production now,” Noront Resources president Wes Hanson told delegates at the MassMin 2012 conference in Sudbury earlier this summer. “Unfortunately, we are located 350 kilometres north of any existing infrastructure. We also happen to be located in the James Bay Lowlands, which is devoid of any topographic relief. There are no construction materials for aggregate, no rock outcrops. Building traditional surface facilities will be extremely challenging, so we’ve decided to construct our mill underground.”

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Diamond mines create vibrant Canadian economy out of stagnation – by Levon Sevunts (Alaska Dispatch – September 1, 2012)

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/

Business is booming at the Kingland Ford dealership in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Franky Nitsiza, who lives in the Dene community of Whatì, about 180 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife, has brought in his Ford F-150 truck for maintenance and is already shopping around for a new one.
 
Nitsiza has been working at BHP  Billiton’s EKATI diamond mine for 14 years and credits his job at the mine for the bit of prosperity he’s been able to enjoy. “It was a big learning experience for me, but I’ve worked my way up to become a team leader,” Nitsiza said while his family members looked around the showroom.
 
Brent Stevens, the general manager at Kingland Ford, said diamond mines have created many well-paying jobs in the region. The resulting business has helped propel Kingland into the 100 top Ford dealerships in Canada. It’s a no mean feat considering that the entire population of Northwest Territories is about 44,000 people.
 
“We obviously sell more cars and trucks if we have more customers that are employed,” Stevens said.

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NEWS RELEASE: Canadian Zinc and Government of Northwest Territories Advance Co-operation on Prairie Creek Mine Development

August 28, 2012 14:07 ET

Premier, Ministers, and Dehcho Grand Chief Visit Prairie Creek Mine

Canadian Zinc and Department of Transportation Sign Collaboration Agreement

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES–(Marketwire – Aug. 28, 2012) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) continues to advance its co-operation with Canadian Zinc Corporation (“CZN”) (TSX:CZN)(OTCQB:CZICF) to further the August 2011 Socio-Economic Agreement between GNWT and Canadian Zinc with regard to the development of the Prairie Creek Mine.
 
On August 13th, 2012 Hon. Bob McLeod, Premier of the NWT, together with David Ramsay, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment and Glen Abernethy, Minister of Justice and Human Resources, were accompanied by Herb Norwegian, Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations (DCFN) on a visit to the Prairie Creek Mine. They toured the facilities and witnessed the increased site activities as the mine moves forward toward production.
 
The Premier, Ministers, and Grand Chief were particularly interested in the ongoing training programs for the local residents of the region.

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Plenty of work done,plenty more to do – by Marketa D. Evans (Canadian Mining Journal – August 2012)

The Canadian Mining Journal is Canada’s first mining publication providing information on Canadian mining and exploration trends, technologies, operations, and industry events.

Marketa Evans is the Government of Canada’s Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor. The CSR Counsellor is a special advisor to the Minister of International Trade. The Counsellor has no policymaking role and does not represent Government of Canada policy positions.

Recently, an important anniversary passed quietly. Ten years ago, in Toronto, the Global Mining Initiative Conference, a
path-breaking global conference on mining and sustainable development, wrapped up. The Conference was the culmination of a transformative global project called MMSD – Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development, and launched MMSD’s report called Breaking New Ground. The culmination of years of effort, drawing together over 5000 participants from across the globe, and informed by 200 background research papers and expert opinions from all sectors, the MMSD was a multiperspective conversation on how to maximize the contribution of the mining and minerals sector to sustainable development.

What was remarkable about the MMSD was its industry leadership, but not industry control. While it began with the premise thatmining is critical to development and to modern society, the final report immediately acknowledged the industry’s interest in the conversation: “simply meeting market demand for mineral commodities,” the Report notes, “falls far short of meeting society’s expectations of industry.”

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