Measuring Mining sustainability: with 2008 data the Towards Sustainability Mining initiative will identify who is earning a pass

Mining produces the material used in catalytic converters, kitchen sinks, and tiny technological chips used in computers and health scanners.

Mining minerals to be used in such materials enhances life and yet at the same time it takes life away.

"We want the stuff as consumers, but we want it done in the way (that is) least damaging to the environment while maximizing the benefits for communities," Julie Gelfand, vice president of sustainable development at the Mining Association of Canada (MAC)

MAC developed the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative, beginning in 1999 to improve the environmental and social performance of the industry, Gelfand said.

"It's a corporate social responsibility program, but it's different because for each performance indicator, (the milling companies) are actually scored on how well they are doing," she said, as oppose to mines simply reporting what they are doing.

Instead of, 'we are implementing this program don't worry about it,' its more like, 'you have implemented this program, but you aren't doing very well so you get a low score,' Gelfand explained.

The grades range from 1, which means there are no systems in place to 5, which means they are a leader, she added.

"The (mines) get a grade every year and have to report those grades every year. Every three years they have to be verified by external auditors," Gelfand said. "So, we don't just believe them that they scored a 4."

There are four indicators within the TSM initiative: tailings management performance, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, external outreach performance and crisis management planning performance.

Vale Inco is fully involved and fully supportive of the TSM initiative, said Cory McPhee, Vale Inco spokesperson.

"We think it's a great process and it allows the industry a chance to monitor itself and measure its performance against sustainability objectives," he said.

"Those sustainability objectives are necessary for the industry in terms of our continued social license to operate.

"The way we operate today has to be one that balances performance with social responsibility and environmental responsibility," McPhee said, explaining sustainability is always an objective.

The entire TSM program is guided by a community of interest panel, which includes representatives from labour, Aboriginal communities, environmental groups, academics and the financial sector, Gelfand explained.

"They review, comment on, stick their fingers into, the whole program," Gelfand said, including new policies, grading and new indicators.

"The great thing about TSM is it's talking about everyone's values."

The initiative began in 2004. This year's data collection is key. With figures from 2006 through to 2008, "we are going to be able to look at some trends and see if companies are actually improving," Gelfand said.

The 2004/05 data was disqualified to allow all 30-plus MAC members to get on board, she said.

"Everything is transparent. If a mine scores a 1, it's public," Gelfand said.

The TSM initiative helped MAC win the 2005 Globe Industry Association Award for Technology Innovation and Application.

MAC hopes to expand the TSM indicators to eight and possibly 12 in the future. They are currently developing biodiversity and Aboriginal relations indicators, Gelfand said. Beyond that, they are going to focus on mine closure procedures.

By JAMES NEELEY

Northern Ontario Business

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