TSM initiative launched

Canada’s mining leaders and the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) have banded together to launch Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), a public relations campaign aimed at demonstrating mining’s ability to police itself, and in doing so, gain greater public trust.

Mining contributes $40.8 billion annually to Canada’s economy, and there is a fear among mining executives that without a well-defined set of operating principles, mining will eventually grind to a halt here and become a fringe industry feared by the public. The TSM initiative is designed to prevent that from happening.

Says Noranda CEO Derek Pannell: “There is growing recognition that the status quo is not sustainable. Public views and goals are changing, and the mining industry must improve its performance, both socially and operationally, in order to remain in step with broader community values.”

The TSM campaign will focus on four key areas:

— tailings management, including the implementation of a best-practice tailings policy and management system;

— energy management, involving energy use and greenhouse gas management and reporting;

— external outreach to stakeholders; including reporting performance; and

— crisis communications, which involves crisis management preparedness and training.

Over time, TSM will be expanded to include aboriginal relations, closure and remediation, and community development.

All MAC members, including Barrick Gold, Falconbridge, BHP Billiton and De Beers, have signed on to support the initiative, as have member companies of the Mining Association of British Columbia, namely Placer Dome, Teck Cominco, Elk Valley Coal, and Alcan.

TSM resulted from discussions among representatives of government, mining groups, and aboriginal and non-government organizations.

Earlier this year, a 14-member panel was established to advise the MAC on how to implement the TSM initiative. The panel, which will meet twice annually, includes representatives from labour, aboriginal organizations, non-government organizations, and the investment community.

The TSM campaign was launched in Edmonton, Alta., at the 2004 conference of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.