More companies are committed to maintaining the highest level of integrity in its corporate responsibilities toward resource development and environmental stewardship. A Corporation will be well served to commit to a clear & transparent environmental protection throughout the mine expansion, life and closure, whether by applying sound judgment, by meeting or exceeding legislative requirements and/or by minimizing any adverse impacts its activities may have on the environment. To achieve these goals, a credible management team should:
1. Make a corporate commitment
Recognize environmental management as an important corporate priority and integrate environmental considerations into all mine expansion, operation and closure planning.
2. Reduce impacts
As part of the design and operating philosophy, minimize any potential for adverse impacts on the natural environment.
3. Make a team effort
Instill the ethics of environmental responsibility through education and communication with all employees, contractors and suppliers.
4. Monitor
Evaluate environmental performance by conducting operational and environmental monitoring programs and by identifying opportunities for improvement.
5. Recycle
Participate in recycling programs for consumable products and reagents.
6. Stay Current
Keep up-to-date with permit and license requirements, changes to environmental regulations and evolving government guidelines.
7. Enhance affected habitat
Work to minimize the effects of mining with the goal of restoring disturbed areas and ecosystems to wildlife/recreation Crown land use.
8. Promote environmental responsibility
Encourage conservation and pollution prevention measures by providing operational guidelines that outline procedures and responsibilities to contractors and suppliers.
9. Protect the environment
Assess environmental conditions regularly at all stages of mine development and closure in order to identify issues or areas in need of attention and to establish strategies for their management.
10. Maintain good management practices
Be consistent with the current state of practice in the industry for environmental protection. Respond to concerns in a timely and productive manner, taking corrective measures to alleviate the cause of the concerns and prevent their recurrence.