De Beers Canada Releases 2009 Report To Society

TORONTO, April 29 /CNW/ - De Beers Canada is pleased to announce the release of the De Beers Canada 2009 Report to Society www.debeerscanada.com. This is the second annual report for De Beers Canada and presents a summary of the company's contribution to sustainable development during the 2009 reporting period. It reviews economic, ethical, employee, community and environmental performance.

"In support of our commitment to sustainable development in the communities in which we operate, De Beers Canada continues to invest in local programs that focus on business opportunities, education, training and employment, while operating our company in a socially and environmentally responsible way" says Chantal Lavoie, De Beers Canada Acting Chief Executive Officer. "These are key areas identified by our community partners, and are also areas where we think our company can make a difference."

    
    Some highlights of the report include:
    -   A total of 1.14 million carats produced by the Snap Lake and Victor
        mines.
    -   De Beers Canada spent C$297 million on goods and services.
    -   At Snap Lake, C$155 million was spent on operations contracts; C$116
        million (74 per cent) of this supplied by northern businesses, and
        C$59 million (51 per cent) of this total provided by Aboriginal
        suppliers.
    -   At Victor Mine, C$121 million was spent on goods and services and
        C$39 million (32 per cent) was supplied by Aboriginal businesses.
    -   C$3.8 million in cash, in-kind and staff time was spent on Corporate
        Social Investment, primarily in communities near our operations. The
        focus of these funds was education, youth literacy and capacity
        building.
    -   All exploration programs and mining operations are registered to the
        ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Standard. Exploration programs are also
        compliant with the OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety
        standard.
    -   A joint Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) was signed with Fort Albany
        First Nation and Kashechewan First Nation. De Beers Canada has seven
        IBAs and one Working Relationship Agreement in place for the Snap
        Lake and Victor mines.
    -   Direct total payments for all eight IBA communities totaled $4.75
        million in 2009 primarily on compensation, environmental monitoring
        and scholarships.
    -   The Victor Mine was awarded "2009 Mine of the Year" by the
        international trade publication Mining Magazine.
    -   De Beers Canada was awarded PDAC Environmental and Social
        Responsibility Award for demonstrated outstanding initiative,
        leadership and/or accomplishment in protecting and preserving the
        natural environment during an exploration program or operation of a
        mine.
    

The report is referenced against the Global Reporting Initiative G3 guidelines and indicators and our commitment as a signatory of the UN Global Compact and supporter of the Millennium Development Goals. It also introduces a systematic sustainability management framework including our principles, policies, guidance materials and assurance programs in place at our own operations and into our value chain. The content of this report has been informed by issues identified as relevant and material by our stakeholders, and the important insights and evidence provided by our employees.

The full Report to Society can be found at www.debeerscanada.com.

For further information: Mr. Tom Ormsby, Director, External and Corporate Affairs, Tel: [phone], ext. 2151, Email: [email protected]