Canada's Exploration and Mining Companies Welcome Canada's Independent CSR
Counsellor

TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) welcomed today's announcement by the Independent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor that the Office is now fully operational, with the formal launch of a review process that is accessible, effective, independent, responsive, transparent, and predictable.

The Government of Canada's new CSR regime for the exploration and mining industry - which was informed by extensive consultations with industry and non-governmental organizations - includes an independent Canadian CSR Counsellor who has instituted a fair, credible and useful review mechanism. Both industry and civil society actively participated in the Counsellor's recent consultation process, which heard from more than 300 individuals and organizations.

"The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and our 7,000 individual and corporate members welcome today's announcement that the Independent Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor has formally launched a review mechanism that is designed to encourage constructive dialogue, improve CSR performance, and support tangible results on the ground," said Tony Andrews, PDAC's Executive Director.

"The Counsellor should have the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness and independence of the Office before Parliament considers heading down a new path by passing Bill C300, a Private Members' Bill currently before the House of Commons, that will have a significant negative impact on Canadian exploration and mining companies and the thousands of jobs that they support in Canada and abroad," said Andrews.

Canada's exploration and mining companies and the more than 306,000 Canadians employed in mining and exploration work have invested in 10,000 projects in more than 100 countries. Through our CSR initiatives, we work in partnership with community groups, governments and on the ground organizations to build capacity, provide infrastructure and social services, including building schools, housing, roads, clean water, sanitation, and local jobs in the communities in which we work.

Canadian exploration mining companies follow international, in-country, and industry standards, such as that the World Bank's International Finance Corporation Compliance Advisor Ombudsman, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the Global Reporting Initiative, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Export Development Canada's CSR policies, and the Equator Principles for project financing for extractive projects located in the developing world.

"Canada's exploration and mining industry looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada and the Office of the Independent Counsellor on furthering Canada's CSR regime, fostering constructive dialogue, continuing to improve the industry's CSR performance, and advancing tangible on the ground results," said Andrews.

About the PDAC

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is a national association representing the mineral exploration and development industry. Its 7,000 individual and corporate members are involved in the exploration, discovery and development of new mines and new wealth. The PDAC's annual convention is the world's largest annual gathering of the mineral industry. PDAC 2011 will be held March 6-9 in Toronto.

For further information:

Saley Lawton
Director, Communications Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada
Email: [email protected], Tel: [phone] ext. 225