El indio en la Sociedad Paraguaya

The Canadian mining industry has made significant progress in its environmental performance by participating in a host of domestic and international initiatives. MAC member companies, which account for the majority of Canada’s mining production, have dramatically reduced their releases to the environment over the past 15 to 20 years (see Figure 30). Releases of major substances such as mercury, nickel and copper have dropped between 77% and 98%, a result of companies investing in cleaner processes in response to voluntary initiatives and regulations.

Internationally, an array of sustainability and social licence initiatives affect the Canadian mining industry. Companies seeking project financing are now required to apply rigorous environmental and social standards set by organizations such as the International Finance Corporation, Export

Development Canada, the World Bank and commercial banks that have adopted the Equator Principles. Firms dealing in dangerous substances abide by the Basel Convention and the International Cyanide Management Code (as well as Canada’s own Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act). The practices of many companies are guided by the United Nations Global Compact, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Kimberley Process, ISO 14001 certification and other sustainability programs. For a more detailed overview of how MAC member companies apply international standards and programs, see Figure 31.

Environmental and social considerations are increasingly well integrated into mine planning and management. Furthermore, resource development and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive, but can be achieved by effective regulation and responsible resource management. For example, a mine built today is obligated by Canadian law to provide financial assurance that it can be reclaimed when operations cease, and mine closure plans must be prepared and accepted by government authorities before construction. While mining has a relatively small, localized footprint, the impacts on the local area are significant and can and should be managed responsibly over the life of the mine. MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative is an example of how resource development can co-exist with environmental conservation, and how partnerships can be fostered between the mining industry and conservationists.

In recent decades, the industry has made great strides in reducing mining’s environmental impacts through the actions of individual companies, government regulations and standards like TSM. Together, corporate social responsibility, progressive regulations and the adherence to a host of voluntary standards have earned Canadian mining a global reputation for leading social and environmental practices.

environmental and social responsibilities. In essence, TSM ensures companies are operating in a way that aligns with evolving societal priorities and expectations as they relate to community engagement, safety and health, energy use and the environment. Each year, MAC produces a TSM Progress Report detailing the facility-level performance of participating companies. The report is available on the MAC website. TSM assessments take place at the facility level to ensure that management systems are in place, with results externally verified every three years. In 2013, 60 facilities were assessed. Currently, TSM sets out performance indicators and targets in six areas:

• Tailings management

• Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management • Aboriginal and community outreach (formerly external

outreach)

• Crisis management planning

• Biodiversity conservation management • Safety and health

Below are the results for the three areas that pertain to environmental stewardship: tailings management, biodiversity conservation management, and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management. For a more complete overview of industry performance, please refer to the 2013 TSM Progress Report, which is available on the MAC website.

TAILINGS MANAGEMENT

Tailings impoundments are necessary components of mining activity, and it is crucial that they be managed responsibly to protect human safety and the environment.

TSM’s tailings management protocol goes beyond adherence to technical standards and contains five performance

indicators. These indicators are designed to confirm whether a facility has implemented a system for responsible tailings management. This protocol seeks to ensure that facilities have a formal policy in place, have developed and implemented a tailings management system, have assigned accountability to the company’s CEO or COO, and have developed operation, maintenance and surveillance manuals for all tailings impoundments. Facilities must also conduct annual reviews of their management systems and report the results of this evaluation to their accountable executive officer to meet the requirements of this protocol.

Since 2006, significant improvement has been made across all indicators (see Figure 32). The Canadian mining industry

THE ENVIRONMENT: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Domestically, companies are engaged in a variety of environmental stewardship programs, including TSM, the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage Program (MEND) and the National Orphaned/Abandoned Mines Initiative (NOAMI).

TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE MINING

TSM is MAC’s commitment to responsible mining and every member commits to implement it. TSM includes a set of tools and indicators to drive performance and ensure that key mining risks are managed responsibly at our members’ facilities. By adhering to the principles of TSM, our members demonstrate leadership through:

• Engaging with and supporting local communities • Driving world-leading environmental practices • Committing the resources and leadership to promote

the safety and health of employees

Established in 2004, TSM’s main objective is to enable mining companies to meet society’s needs for minerals, metals and energy products in the most socially, economically and environmentally responsible way. The program’s core strengths are:

• Accountability—TSM reporting at the facility level of their Canadian operations is mandatory for members. • Transparency—Annual reporting is conducted against

23 indicators with independent verification. • Credibility—TSM includes ongoing consultation

with a national Community of Interest Advisory Panel to improve industry performance and shape TSM for continual advancement.

TSM is an award-winning, industry-wide performance system that helps mining companies evaluate and manage their

is recognized as a leader in tailings management. With our members, MAC developed guides that are used around the world. These guides outline how mining companies can safely operate tailings facilities by adhering to best practices in tailings management.

Beyond TSM, oil sands operators are making measured progress in tailings management. The Oil Sands Tailings Consortium (OSTC) was founded in 2010 when seven of Canada’s largest oil sands mining companies agreed to share tailings research and technology in a unified effort to advance tailings management. In March 2012, the OSTC became part of Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), which is discussed in more detail below.

PROMISING TECHNOLOGY FOR