Sustainability is integrated at the Board, executive, and operational levels. Our governance structure creates clear lines of accountability, gives us the flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and ensures sustainable practices are considered in all aspects of our business. 

At the Board level, sustainability matters are presented to the Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainable Development (HSESD) Committee of the Board of Directors at each quarterly Board meeting. 

At the executive level, corporate oversight and implementation of the sustainability program are the direct responsibility of one executive officer – the Executive Vice-President of Sustainability, People and Culture who reports directly to the President & CEO. The corporate sustainability team is responsible for overseeing our sustainability strategy, and, in collaboration with the operations and corporate teams, for setting and implementing goals, and measuring progress against key performance indicators. 

At the operational level, processes are in place to ensure that sustainable development matters, including risk assessment and mitigation, are integrated into the day to-day management of our business. General Managers are responsible at the site level for the implementation of our RMMS, adherence to our Sustainable Development Policy and continuous improvement toward our sustainability goals. 

Agnico Eagle developed a series of Guiding Principles, which are derived from our values, to reinforce our management approach and culture throughout the Company. 

• We value safe work as core to the sustainability and success of our business.
• We are open and transparent with stakeholders.
• We hold our people to the highest standards of honesty and responsibility.
• We strive to implement best practices and continuous performance improvement.
• We foster open honest discussions before making decisions.
• We encourage local decision-making, maintaining our entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.
• We encourage collaboration at all levels of the organization.
• We strive to maintain a simple business with practices based on common sense.
• We ensure clarity of roles and responsibility to maximize collaboration.
• We make sure that employees and management are aligned on the company’s priorities.

Our mission is to build a high-quality, easy-to-understand business; one that generates superior long-term returns for our shareholders, creates a great place to work for our employees and contributes positively to the communities in which we operate. Our leadership team will continue to deliver on this mission and reflect the values that have propelled our company into a position of leadership in the global business community. Making mining work for all is fundamental to our company’s culture. 

Our business strategy is centered on three pillars: performance, pipeline, people.

For more information on our business performance see our 2023 Annual Report.

Agnico Eagle’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics outlines the standards of ethical behavior we expect from our people and those working on our behalf around the world. The Code applies to all directors, officers, employees and agents and commits them to conducting business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to the highest ethical standards.

We have also adopted a Code of Business Ethics for consultants and contractors and a Supplier Code of Conduct. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring compliance with the adopted codes. We have established a toll-free “whistleblower” ethics hotline for anonymous reporting of any suspected violations of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, including concerns regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or other auditing matters, Code of Conduct violations, ethical conflicts, environmental issues, harassment or discrimination.

Agnico Eagle aims to conduct business in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and the highest ethical standards. We do not tolerate bribery or corruption and we are committed to acting professionally, honorably and with integrity in all business dealings and relationships. Operations and business activities are assessed on a periodic basis to ensure that the requirements of our Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy and applicable procedures and guidelines are met.

We conduct business in regions where human rights laws are respected and promoted, and we are committed to upholding fundamental human rights as defined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This includes providing assurance that our operations will not support, benefit or contribute to unlawful armed conflict, human rights abuses, or breaches of international humanitarian law. We believe everyone has the right to a life free from modern slavery and condemn all forms of severe exploitation for personal or commercial gain. Agnico Eagle does not tolerate the use of child labour, prison labour, or any form of forced labour, slavery, or servitude. Protection of human rights is managed through our RMMS which incorporates the Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMP), Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols, and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (Voluntary Principles or VPSHRs). In 2022, Agnico Eagle conducted a gap analysis between its RMMS and the VPSHRs to ensure the former explicitly addresses all VPSHR requirements and covers practices ongoing at Agnico Eagle’s sites. 

We ensure the protection of human rights by:

- Actively communicating our approach and expectations to all stakeholders, including suppliers

- Engaging with stakeholders to understand the impacts of our activities and working with them to optimize benefits and limit negative impacts

- Implementing effective grievance mechanisms

- Providing human rights training

- Promoting our expectations of suppliers through the Supplier Code of Conduct

We partner with local stakeholders and industry groups to engage on public policy initiatives that support the sustainability of our industry and that of the communities in which we operate. Our priorities include initiatives related to clean infrastructure development in remote areas, training support, the permitting process, land use management, and wildlife protection.

Donations & Sponsorships Policy

Our community investment and contribution programs continued to target initiatives that enable each of the communities where we operate to benefit from economic development in their region, even after mining ceases. Our goal is to provide both Agnico Eagle and our host communities with optimum return on our investments in strategic health, education and training,  environment, and community initiatives.

Contributions are made in alignment with our Donations and Sponsorship Policy. For detailed information on our policy please click here. 

Agnico Eagle Mines’ Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) is comprised of independent stakeholders with expertise in ESG, community development, Indigenous affairs, mining, reporting, and governance matters. SAC members are selected to be representative of civil society. The group was established in 2011 and meets annually to provide constructive feedback and guidance in areas of focus for Agnico Eagle. SAC provides feedback on our corporate social responsibility efforts and helps us make strategic adjustments to stakeholder engagement activities.

The role and operation of the SAC is one of a number of engagement mechanisms and practices in place at Agnico Eagle that align with international standards and frameworks, including: 

The SAC is a relatively unique and valuable arrangement within the Canadian mining sector and provides Agnico Eagle with feedback on our corporate social responsibility efforts and helps us make strategic adjustments to our existing local stakeholder engagement activities.

2023 SAC Key Recommendations Highlights 

Every year the SAC provides Agnico Eagle with a broad list of recommendations. Several were selected for immediate consideration and work continues to advance on addressing them. The full list of recommendations is available below.

Nature and Climate Change 

• Develop Scope 3 targets once data stability is sufficient to provide a confident target 
• Prepare for the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sustainability Standards becoming mandatory and begin establishing systems to respond accordingly 
• Focus natural capital solutions in regions where Agnico Eagle operates and prioritize ecosystems close to the site
• Leverage natural capital solutions as an opportunity to build partnerships with Indigenous communities 

Human Rights and Modern Slavery

• Provide training on human rights and modern slavery to employees, contractors and high-risk suppliers
• Apply negative screening and adequate due diligence across suppliers, proportionate to their size and risk
• Review grievance mechanisms and HR practices to ensure they are appropriate/accessible to vulnerable groups

Other Recommendations

• Develop a global cultural heritage standard that includes Chance Find procedures
• Define clear criteria, indicators, targets and financial resources to implement the Company’s Reconciliation Action Plan
• Tailor sections of the website to different audiences, looking at examples from academia and other sectors