Performing at the Highest Level: Six Agnico Eagle sites recognized as leaders in social and environmental performance

January 22, 2019

Fifteen years ago, Canada’s mining industry set the global standard for sustainable mining practices. 

As the first miners in the world to develop an externally-verified performance system – the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative of the Mining Association of Canada – the industry has continued to promote best practices in environmental protection, energy efficiency, community engagement, safety and transparency. 

Now, those standards and practices have spread beyond Canada’s borders to Argentina, Finland, Spain, Botswana and the Philippines. Agnico Eagle has played a key role in TSM’s rapid acceptance and expansion, ensuring its global mine sites in Mexico, Finland and Canada adhere to its standards for responsible mining. 

In 2018, all six Agnico Eagle sites that undertook a TSM external audit (prior year-2017) were honoured with a TSM Leadership Award. Each site achieved Level A’s or better in all key performance indicators (community, biodiversity, energy and GHGs, tailings management, health and safety) with the auditors also confirming each site had a Crisis Management Program in place and protocols for Preventing Child and Forced Labour.

Louise Grondin, Senior VP Environment, Sustainable Development and People, says, “Congratulations to everyone at Goldex, LaRonde, Meadowbank, Kittila, La India and Pinos Altos for achieving such outstanding results. We promote a culture of “doing the right thing” here at Agnico Eagle that encourages everyone to go beyond what’s simply required of us. These results confirm our commitment to continuously improving our performance in health, safety and environmental protection and making a difference at the community level.”

This is the second time Goldex, LaRonde and Kittila have each received a TSM Leadership Award for their progressive social and environmental practices, which stands as a testament to the dedication and commitment of their employees.

For Gildardo Montenegro, Manager of Administration, Community Development and Environment at the La India site in Mexico, winning a TSM Leadership Award validates the work his team is doing to ensure the benefits generated now endure well beyond the life of the mine.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, but the real pride is in helping to improve the economic conditions and opportunities of the people and communities that surround our operations, now and in the future.”

According to Gildardo, Agnico Eagle Mexico’s integrated social investment program has made a real difference in improving the socio-economic wellbeing of local communities. Key initiatives range from donating three new trucks to establish a garbage collection system (i.e. promote a cleaner environment) to upgrading 36 school buildings, establishing new community sport-cultural centres and improving conditions at local health facilities, including the donation of key equipment.

"These initiatives are community priorities and they are helping to develop the conditions we need to create positive change for the future. Together, we are working to create a higher standard of living for everyone in our local communities.” 

TSM external audits are performed every three years and are a condition of membership in the Mining Association of Canada. Click here for a complete list of TSM winners and results.