MAC cited for reporting standards

The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has been cited for its high standards in reporting on the industry’s reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The acknowledgment was made by the Ottawa-based Voluntary Challenge and Registry (VCR), an organization that recognizes companies or organizations which voluntarily report on GHG initiatives.

“Our members have made a serious long-term commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to improve their energy efficiency,” says MAC President Gordon Peeling. “This award reflects a decade of achievement by the industry.”

From 1990 to 1999, the metal mining sector decreased its energy consumption by 25.6% and improved its energy intensity, or energy per unit of metal concentrate, by 8.2%. Over the same period, the non-ferrous metal smelting and refining sector increased its energy consumption by 2.8% but improved its energy intensity, or energy per unit of refinery output, plus matte export by 11.9%.

Thanks to ongoing improvements, the metal mining sector reduced its total GHG emissions by 24.7% for the period 1990-99. During the same period, the non-ferrous metal smelting and refining sector decreased GHG emissions by 1.8%. Established in 1997, VCR is a non-profit partnership between industry and governments across Canada. One of its objectives is to encourage organizations from all sectors of the Canadian economy to undertake voluntary actions to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions.

Five MAC members have earned “gold champion reporting status,” namely Inco, Noranda, Falconbridge, Syncrude and Suncor. Three others have achieved silver status: Koch, Newmont (Battle Mountain Gold) and Teck Cominco. BHP Billiton Diamonds received bronze.