Sustainability

Approach

 

Addressing sustainability issues means enhancing our relationship with host and partner governments, building consumer confidence in diamonds, and ensuring our activities contribute positively to the livelihoods of both present and future generations by maximizing the benefits available through the construction and operations of our mines.

 

Detailed accounts of our management systems and performance in this area are presented in the De Beers Group’s Operating and Financial Review, the De Beers Group Report to Society and the annual De Beers Canada Year in Review.

 

These publications addresses sustainability issues relevant and material to our key stakeholders in the area of economics, ethics, employees, communities and environment and detail our contribution to sustainable development goals across Canada and the communities in which we operate.

 

They account for how we are “living up to diamonds”.

 

The core of this commitment is our De Beers Canada Sustainable Development Policy, which applies to all De Beers Canada employees and contractors, making each and every person accountable for the protection and enhancement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of our business and the community at large.

 

To ensure local communities are involved in our business activities, we engage those communities that may be impacted by our activities from exploration through into project phases and continuing on into operations.

 

De Beers Canada makes available for sale up to 10% of our production (by value) back into Canada for local cutting and polishing businesses.

 

As part of the De Beers Group of Companies, De Beers Canada adheres to our global Best Practice Principles, which lays out for employees, contractors and clients ethical and other performance standards expected by the company. As a rough diamond producer, we also adhere to the principles and requirements of the Kimberley Process, the key component in eliminating conflict diamonds around the world. These Best Practice Principles are being aligned with the Responsible Jewellery Practices.

 

Our performance related to society at large is also measured by the Mining Association of Canada in a number of categories under their Towards Sustainable Mining initiative with established protocols for Tailings Management, Crisis Management, External & Aboriginal Outreach and Energy & Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

 

Best Practice Principles

The Best Practice Principles apply to the entire De Beers Family of Companies, all Diamond Trading Company Sightholders (clients) and certain third parties.

 

All are required to use their best endeavours to ensure that the companies with which they work also comply with these standards.

 

The Best Practice Principles set out various required standards of conduct with regards to three main areas:

• Business Responsibilities

• Social Responsibilities

• Environmental Responsibilities
 

Business Responsibilities ensure that all operations act responsibly, ethically and in compliance with the law. This includes sales transactions, supply chain management, the sourcing of diamonds, interaction with the local community and overall business relationships. This applies to every employee at every level.

 

Social Responsibilities ensure that the De Beers Family of Companies and our business partners are discovering new ways of generating real social value in the communities in which we operate.

 

Environmental Responsibilities ensure all operations adopt the highest standards required by law in an effort to minimise their impact on the environment.

 

Working with Communities
 

De Beers Canada acknowledges the status of aboriginal people of Canada and their constitutionally entrenched rights. In working with aboriginal people, De Beers Canada will ensure that this status and their rights are respected, and will work to strike a balance between these considerations and other economic, social and environmental responsibilities.

 

De Beers Canada will apply the following principles in all of its activities and undertakings with aboriginal people in Canada:

• It is recognized that aboriginal people have a historical occupation, usage and reliance on the land as well as a respect for the land and environment, which is enshrined in their traditions and practices. Arising from this is a far-reaching wisdom and knowledge about the land and natural environment. This knowledge will be actively solicited and considered in the planning and management of De Beers Canada’s activities.

• De Beers Canada believes that meaningful consultation and communication regarding activities, programmes and developments are necessary. Consultation forms the basis for relationships and the De Beers Canada process will be:

      ○ timely (adequate notice; time to evaluate and respond)

      ○ informative (sufficient detail and explanation to allow understanding)

      ○ comprehensible (presented in an understandable manner)

      ○ ongoing (process acknowledges feedback; reports on how used)

      ○ responsive (changes based on feedback where relevant/possible)

• De Beers Canada believes that projects must benefit and add to the sustainability of local communities. Socio-economic development will be a primary focus through community participation in employment and business opportunities in all stages of the mineral development process from exploration, evaluation, mine development, production and closure.

• De Beers Canada’s key corporate values of integrity, reliability and honesty in association with genuine respect for individuals and communities, non-discrimination, best practice standards, health and safety, protection of the environment, teamwork and innovation will be promoted at all times.

Social Investment
 

Addressing sustainability issues means enhancing our relationship with host and partner governments, building consumer confidence in diamonds and ensuring our activities contribute positively to the livelihoods of both present and future generations.

 

Detailed accounts of our management systems and performance in this area are presented in the De Beers Group’s Operating and Financial Review, Report to Society and the De Beers Canada Year in Review. These annual reports detail our contribution to sustainable development goals across Canada and the communities in which we operate.

 

In support of this commitment, De Beers Canada has a Social Investment strategy that targets specific initiatives or events that:

• Contribute to capacity building and the development of transferrable skills

• Reflect priorities of local people and communities

Make a lasting contribution
 

We consider initiatives in Canada with a particular focus on education, literacy, skills development, the environment and cultural practices and enhancement in the communities in which we operate.

 

If you would like your charitable organization to be considered by De Beers Canada, click here to access our sponsorship forms and application guidelines.

 

Safety, Health and Environment
 

As the world's leading diamond mining company, De Beers is committed to the development of local policies and procedures that minimize the impact of mining on the natural landscape, and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the communities in which we operate.

 

That commitment is reflected in our exceptional safety record, and the fact that all of De Beers Canada’s operations are ISO 14001 certified for Environmental Management Systems.

 

Safety and Health

The health and safety of our employees is our primary focus at De Beers Canada. We continue to reinforce a safety-first culture in our exploration teams, mine sites and offices across the country, and it is paying dividends. Our mines have achieved significant milestones in hours worked without a lost time injury and our exploration teams have been nationally recognized for years of working safely. In 2011, four sections of De Beers Canada achieved certification in OHSAS 18001 for our occupational and health management systems.

Those areas were:

• De Beers Canada Snap Lake Mine

• De Beers Canada Victor Mine

• De Beers Canada Exploration

• De Beers Canada Corporate Head office
 

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Detailed site-specific plans are developed in consultation with communities early in the project planning stage and are formulated in accordance with established environmental codes of practice. Plans address soil, vegetation and wildlife issues, air quality, and water and energy conservation. The objective of the EMS is to identify and mitigate impacts during planning and operation, and to leave a productive, self-sustaining and hazard-free post-mining environment.

 

Diamond Mining

Compared to other types of mining, diamond mining has less impact on the environment. Recovering diamonds from the ore-bearing rock known as kimberlite requires a crushing, washing and screening process to which no chemicals are added. The application of environmental management practices helps protect the air, land and water during the active life of the mine. Modern rehabilitation techniques, aided by the traditional knowledge of community members, enable the restoration of the environmental health and productivity of the area.

 

Impact Management

Any mining has an impact on the environment. Through careful planning and consultation with all of our stakeholders, we aim to minimize any environmental disturbance by our exploration and mining activities. We are committed to identifying any potential environmental issues early in the planning process.