Mining & The Environment: Corporate Social Responsibility
Environmental and social responsibility starts before companies begin field programs. Most Canadian exploration companies follow the principles and guidance of e3PLUS, A Framework for Responsible Exploration created by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.
Other industry associations have developed tools and guides to help Canadian companies become leaders in environmental protection and social responsibility. The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has developed Towards Sustainable Mining, an initiative focused on improving the industry’s sustainable development performance, which includes a policy framework on Mining and Aboriginal Peoples.
If you’re interested in finding out more information about environmental issues, check out the First Nations Environmental Network and the http://www.cier.ca/ (CIER), national organizations of individuals, non-profit groups and Nations who are actively working in this area.
Environment protection is only one aspect of sustainable development. Most mining companies today have adopted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines to guide the way they operate at home and abroad. They agree in principle to respect human rights, adopt responsible governance and management systems, uphold ethical business practices, protect the environment, engage host communities and other stakeholders, contribute to community development and social progress and safeguard the health and safety of workers and local populations.
BC’s mineral exploration and mining sector is recognized as a progressive leader in the area of corporate social responsibility, which includes a strong commitment to worker safety. Mining today is the safest heavy industry in BC, an achievement that reflects the belief that “the most important thing to come out of a mine is the miners.”
At the same time, companies must operate a business and generate profits — or discover a mineral deposit with potential to generate profits — to sustain their own futures. Achieving these diverse goals in an imperfect world is a challenge that has forced the industry to dramatically change the way it had conducted business in the past.
Real Life Stories
Jennifer Camille
Jennifer, a 53-year old member of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, had never been employed anywhere other than with her Band. She was frightened and nervous about working off reserve, but very determined to do so. In the spring of 2010, Jennifer completed an application with the BC AMTA, wrote the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) Assessment, completed a month of Essential Skills Upgrading and spent a great deal of time speaking with BC AMTA program coaches about her fears of entering into an unknown workforce.