Agnico Eagle
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is a senior Canadian gold mining company that has produced precious metals since 1957. It is now the largest producer of gold in Canada and the third largest gold producer in the world. The Company’s operating mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico. It has a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects in these countries as well as in the United States. Agnico Eagle, which employs more than 16,000 people worldwide, is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading environmental, social and governance practices.
For over 65 years, Agnico Eagle has consistently stayed true to its mission to build a high quality, easy to understand business – one that generates superior long-term returns for shareholders, while creating a great place to work for employees and contributing positively to the communities and countries in which it operates.
The Company has built a strong culture of responsible behaviour, achieving high standards of sustainability performance and distinguishing itself as a responsible miner. By operating with respect for others, building trust, being reliable and sharing opportunities, Agnico Eagle makes mining work for everyone – employees, stakeholders and communities, including the Indigenous communities where it operates. The Company believes that responsible growth can bring prosperity for the benefit of future generations.
Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Performance Summary
Agnico Eagle started implementing TSM in 2011 and rigorously applies TSM’s best practices across its operating mines globally while striving to improve overall performance year after year. Each site has dedicated personnel to ensure implementation and monitoring of TSM protocols and best practices. Agnico Eagle’s TSM performance is part of its overall approach to sustainability. TSM requirements are integrated into the Company’s Risk Management and Monitoring System (RMMS) that also encompasses other international standards and frameworks such as:
- The World Gold Council’s Responsible Gold Mining Principles (RGMP);
- The International Cyanide Management Institute’s International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC); and
- The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR).
Canadian Malartic
Since 2014, Agnico Eagle was part owner (50%) of the Canadian Malartic Complex, while Yamana Gold owned the other half. In March 2023, Agnico Eagle acquired Yamana Gold’s Canadian assets and became sole owner of the Canadian Malartic Complex. Canadian Malartic’s TSM results, reported since 2015, have been merged with Agnico Eagle’s results and the Company will continue to support the site in improving its sustainability practices and performance, particularly with the development of the Odyssey underground mine.
TSM Implementation Process at Fosterville, Macassa and Detour Lake
Fosterville, Macassa and Detour Lake mines, which joined Agnico Eagle following the merger of equals with Kirkland Lake Gold in February 2022, are at their second year of TSM implementation. Preliminary results were provided confidentially to TSM for the year 2023. Corporate support is provided to ensure completion of the process and continuous improvement. TSM results for these sites will be made public at the end of 2024.
Annual Self-Assessments
For 2023, annual self-assessments were performed at all Agnico Eagle’s operating facilities. Agnico Eagle’s overall results for 2023 were strong with facilities continuously improving their health, safety, environment and community relations (HSEC) performance.
As clearly showed in the results, the protection of employees and contractors’ health and safety is a core component and non-negotiable element of Agnico Eagle’s day-to-day activities and long-term success. To support the Company’s growth and continue to efficiently manage risks, Agnico Eagle is currently updating its integrated management system (RMMS) with the objective of maintaining high standards and transparency, and continuing to improve on its health and safety, environmental and community relations performance.
In 2023, Agnico Eagle reports it first results for the TSM Climate Change Protocol. The work put forward in the last couple of years is reflected in the results. The climate change governance structure in place at Agnico Eagle, from the Board of Directors to the facilities’ Climate Action Teams, creates clear lines of accountability, gives flexibility to adapt to unforeseen circumstances and ensures sustainable practices are considered in all aspects of the business. Agnico Eagle will continue its engagement with stakeholders on climate change to develop and gradually implement actions towards its 2050 Net-Zero target.
Water and tailings management continue to be followed up diligently. Agnico Eagle implemented the new TSM Tailings Management Protocol and Table of Conformance in 2023. With the support of Engineers of Records, facilities are continuously improving on their practices. For more information on Agnico Eagle’s commitment and approach to responsible tailings management, consult the Company’s most recent Tailings Summary Report.
As part of the overall Company’s strategy for the implementation of the new psychological safety and respectful behaviour component of the TSM Safety and Health Protocol, Agnico Eagle issued its Psychological Health and Safety Policy in March 2023. This policy complements the Diversity and Inclusion Policy issued in 2018 which supports the implementation the new TSM Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Workplaces Protocol. In line with the Company’s core values (trust, respect, equality, responsibility and family), these protocols and associated best practices are currently being implemented across the Company.
For more information, please visit www.agnicoeagle.com