Yesterday, Goldcorp Inc. released its 2017 Sustainability Report detailing the company's economic, environmental and social performance during the year. The report is available at www.csr.goldcorp.com.
Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Goldcorp, Brent Bergeron, commented: "Goldcorp's dedication to continuous improvement elevated our sustainability performance once again in 2017."
"Innovation, consultation and partnerships are cornerstones of our sustainability strategy, and underscore sustainability initiatives that are fully integrated with our business drivers. We are pleased to see that ongoing efforts to build trust and constructive working relationships with our host communities are delivering sustainable value – long-term social and economic benefits that make a positive difference in areas where we operate."
According to the company, its 2017 Sustainability Report is independently assured and follows the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and the International Council on Metals & Mining (ICMM).
Goldcorp's 2017 sustainability performance highlights include:
- Achieving zero fatalities during the year.
- Significantly improving the company's safety performance. Over the year, Goldcorp's All Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) declined by 37% and the company reduced its Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTFR) by 17%.
- Developing and implementing the Goldcorp Sustainability Performance Index (SPI) to monitor and measure performance in key sustainability areas (Safety & Health, Environment, Community Relations and Security) at all operating sites.
- Developing a multidisciplinary diversity and inclusion strategy, which outlines actionable steps to advance Goldcorp's inclusive working environment.
- Contributing approximately US$9.94 million in cash and US$6.98 million in-kind to local communities in the form of donations, community investments, sponsorships and infrastructure improvements.
- Implementing the Risk Integration Project, which included updates to the Corporate Risk Governance Framework, the roll-out of a centralised risk management system and sustainability impact considerations.
- Launching new talent development opportunities including a redesigned StepUP leadership program and rolling out a new Future Leaders programme.Both programmes reinforce Goldcorp's ongoing commitment to supporting employee development at every stage of their career.
- Completing an employee opinion survey identifying specific areas to improve employee engagement. Each site/office is now working on an action plan designed to enhance the employee work experience.
- Developing and introducing a Water Accounting Framework, which defines the targets, milestones and success criteria of Goldcorp's Towards Zero Water (H2Zero) initiative.
- Developing a water valuation model, which resulted in a Water Valuation Toolbox and a company-wide set of unit costs for the full spectrum of water activities at Goldcorp's operations.
- Achieving greenhouse gas emission (GHG) savings of approximately 100 000 t of CO2e, equivalent to taking approximately 21 000 cars off the road for a year. Goldcorp announced Canada's first, fully electric underground mine at Borden, which will eliminate the use of diesel fuel and propane gas.
- Commencing significant reclamation work at Guatemala's Marlin Mine, the second mine in the world decommissioned and verified under the Principles & Standards of Practice of the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC). Goldcorp's El Sauzal mine was first.
In 2017, Goldcorp received the Finance and Sustainability Initiative award and was recognised for its achievements in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Goldcorp is a proud member of several external organisations such as International Council of Mining & Metals (ICMM) and the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), which provide insight and opportunities for sustainability performance and set lofty standards for mining companies around the world.