In 2023, our employees achieved our safest year ever with a 34% improvement over the previous year. Special recognition goes to our Goldex, Hope Bay and Northern Territory sites for operating the whole year without any lost time or restricted work injuries. As we continue to work Towards Zero Accidents, this achievement shows that it is possible to work safely and underscores the importance of ensuring that everyone returns home safely each day, both physically and mentally.
We prioritize mental health and well-being, training our leaders and employees to recognize mental health challenges in themselves and others. Our mental health initiatives complement our broader health and safety efforts and align with the Mining Association of Canada’s (MAC) updated Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Safe, Healthy and Respectful Workplace Protocol, which now includes a focus on psychological safety and respectful behaviour in the workplace.
Employees have access to mental health professionals at several sites and, at the Meadowbank Complex in Nunavut, experts conducted sessions with 200 employees to help them spot emotional distress and have supportive conversations. In 2023, our Ontario team created a Mental Health and Wellness Steering Committee and our Australian operations implemented the Mates in Mining support program.
We continue to work to expand and improve our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and strongly support MAC’s new TSM Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Workplaces Protocol which encourages companies to employ a diverse group of people who bring varied perspectives and experiences to our workplaces. In 2023, we continued the Dr. Leanne Baker Scholarship and Development Program which helps women working at Agnico Eagle grow into leadership roles. Six women have completed the program, eight more began their first year and another eight have been selected to join the third group in the program. We are proud to support these women as they continue to advance their careers and move into leadership roles within the company.
In 2023, we maintained our position as one of the lowest intensity producers among major gold mining companies.
We took steps to address climate change by evaluating the climate risks at each of our operations and introducing a new Climate Action Corporate Standard. This standard helps us better identify, assess and manage climate risks and opportunities and establishes clear guidelines for GHG accounting.
In 2024, we will continue to invest in technological innovation and decarbonization opportunities across our portfolio including using more renewable energy and improving material handling efficiency. We are integrating climate risk management into our operational governance framework and launching a supplier engagement program to focus on decarbonization partnerships and decrease our Scope 3 emissions.
Agnico Eagle is committed to preserving biodiversity and is actively involved in several partnerships and committees that seek to address biodiversity loss and support nature-positive outcomes. For example, through its Community Partnerships Program Fosterville Mine is contributing $AUD450,000 over two years to the Axe Creek Protection Project in Strathfieldsaye. We are also developing tools and collecting data to guide our business decisions, minimize negative impacts to nature and enhance our disclosures.
We regularly engage with Communities of Interest (COI), including Indigenous Peoples, on environmental issues, particularly water and biodiversity matters. Our updated Water Management Corporate Standard aligns with TSM’s new Water Stewardship Protocol, focusing on conserving freshwater through reducing, reusing and recycling water across all our sites.
In addition to applying the TSM protocols at all our operations, we uphold our commitments to international standards including the Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMP), Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHRs), Conflict-Free Gold Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).
We have developed a Reconciliation Action Plan in collaboration with Indigenous communities, consulting with over 250 employees, stakeholders and rights holders. We plan to publish and start implementing this plan in the second half of 2024. This plan aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and integrates our existing Indigenous programs into a comprehensive strategy.
We strive to be socially responsible and make a positive impact in our operating communities. In 2023, we announced a 10-year $CAD3-million commitment to the Canadian Cancer Society aimed at improving the lives of people affected by cancer living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. We also launched the Inunnguiniq project, a $CAD5-million commitment to enhance food security, promote active lifestyles in Nunavut through traditional “on the land” activities and support Inuit-led non-profits to make lasting positive impacts. Our Inunnguiniq partners are the Arctic Rose Foundation, Ilitaqsiniq and the Breakfast Club of Canada.
I want to welcome all new employees into the Agnico Eagle family, especially those from Canadian Malartic and thank all our employees for their dedication to maintaining our high standards of responsibility and sustainability.
Sincerely,
Carol Plummer
Executive Vice-President, Sustainability, People and Culture