Suncor Energy, Canada’s largest integrated energy company, recovers bitumen from oil sands near Fort McMurray, Alberta, and upgrades it to refinery-ready feedstock and diesel fuel. Suncor is focused on being a cost and carbon competitive producer and demonstrating leadership in environmental performance and social responsibility, while contributing to a strong economy.

The Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining’s (TSM) protocols reinforce continuous improvement opportunities for Suncor and support the company’s emphasis on sustainability throughout the organization.

For more information, including detailed facility specific performance metrics, please visit sustainability.suncor.com, or suncor.com.
Suncor’s 2021 TSM Results

Self-assessment results Suncor’s oil sands base mining operation and The Fort Hills Mine for 2021 reflect performance to the date they are published, where feasible, aligned with TSM’s new approach to annual reporting. Users of this data will notice a gap in performance results for the year 2020, as Suncor realigned our approach. Results for Suncor’s base mining operation were largely consistent with the facility’s self-assessment results from 2019.

The Fort Hills Mine, owned through the Fort Hills LP and operated by Suncor, was also self-assessed for TSM performance and reported publicly for the first time by the organization.

Tailings Management
Thanks to breakthroughs that have come from research and development, Suncor continues to make progress in tailings management and has worked hard in this area to ensure alignment with the protocol. Work progresses to ensure the company can continue to learn and evolve its approach to tailings management. Evolving guidelines, regulations and stakeholder expectations also simultaneously provide valuable improvement opportunities in this area.
Base Plant: Level AAA results for all indicators were achieved for the TSM Tailings Management Protocol.
Fort Hills: Level A results for all indicators were achieved for the TSM Tailings Management Protocol.

Aboriginal and Community Outreach
External outreach has always been a key part of maintaining Suncor’s social license to operate, and the company regularly engages with communities of interest (including several Indigenous communities). Its stakeholder relations framework outlines the company’s commitment to collaboration, transparency and respect for all views. This guides development of long-term relationships with those affected by its business, including employees, First Nation and Métis communities and other local community members, shareholders, customers, organizations and governments.
Base Plant: The facility has consistently performed well in this area and achieved Level AAA for all indicators.
Fort Hills: The facility performed well in this area and achieved Level AAA for all indicators.

Biodiversity and Conservation Management
The facility was able to maintain and achieve Level AAA for all three indicators. To minimize impacts in the boreal region, Suncor leverages scientific research and best management practices while working with neighboring companies to reduce cumulative effects of development. The company also collaborates with industry peers and multi-stakeholder organizations on initiatives to conserve and reclaim habitat for birds, mammals, fish and other species.
Base Plant: The facility was able to maintain and achieve Level AAA for all three indicators.
Fort Hills: The facility was able to achieve Level AAA for all three indicators.

Crisis Management and Communications Planning
Base Plant: The facility completed all requirements for this protocol and maintained a “yes” score for all indicators.
Fort Hills: The Facility completed all requirements for this protocol and achieved a “yes” score for all indicators.

Safety and Health
Both facilities achieved Level AAA for indicators 1, 2, 3 and 4 related to energy use and GHG emissions management and reporting systems. Level B for Indicator 5 (performance) of this protocol reflects that we had three contractor fatalities at our sites — two at the end of 2020, and one at the start of 2021. These losses are tragic and unacceptable, and it’s clear more work needs to be done. On Dec. 28, 2020, two individuals were fatally injured in a vehicle incident during a routine shift change at our Fort Hills site. On Jan. 13, 2021, another tragic incident occurred with one individual when the dozer they were operating fell through ice at our Base Plant site. Safety remains a key aspect of Suncor’s operations, and the company is committed to its Journey to Zero program for all employees and contractors to put safety above all else.

Energy Use and GHG Emissions Management
Both facilities achieved Level AAA for indicators 1, and 2 related to energy use and GHG emissions management and reporting systems. Indicator 3 (energy and GHG performance targets) remained at a Level B. As we create value and returns for our shareholders, we have set an objective to be a net-zero emissions company by 2050, contributing to society’s net-zero goals. This includes reducing annual emissions by 10 megatonnes (Mt) across our value chain by 2030.

For more information, please visit: www.suncor.com.