Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
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Armstrong says these low-cost practices make advanced environmental studies more robust, add information to government databases, and help companies manage risk. "In the case of water sampling, you would have water quality information before and after work begins, and if someone makes a claim that your activities are affecting water quality, you'd be able to show that's not the case." Armstrong cites the example of a company (not Kaminak) suspected of degrading water quality and causing caribou deaths. With data from three years of wildlife and water quality studies available for review, the company was able to quash the concerns of local communities (the caribou were found to have died from predators). "When engaging with First Nations, you want to be able to stand up and show what you're monitoring and measuring," Armstrong says. "It's an insurance policy." Kaminak has adopted a scalable approach to remediating soil-disturbed areas at its flagship Coffee gold project in Yukon's White Gold district. Test plots were created to determine how specific 106 p104-107_CSR.indd 106 w i n t e r indigenous plant seeds perform compared to natural revegetation, with the results expected to guide future reclamation plans. Matthew Pickard, director of environment and community relations for Sabina Gold & Silver, says dialogue is an essential first step of environmental planning. "You have to know where you are, know the area, and know what people believe is important." Sabina has advanced its Back River gold project to the preliminary feasibility stage as a proposed open-pit/ underground operation. The project is located in the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, where cultural and social values are as important as the environment, and where community engagement is part of the permitting process. Along with a series of open houses and public meetings, Sabina arranges site visits so local representatives can see for themselves what environmental measures are in place, or discuss issues and information with people they know on site. "We have to communicate effectively, frequently and in the proper language to develop relationships and build trust," Pickard says. 2 013 Gaining a social license to operate may be challenging in Canada, but it can be done with a commitment to CSR principles. Working in certain foreign countries is often a more daunting exercise, particularly in conflict areas of the world. Rakai Resources has taken a novel approach to gaining local support for its early-stage projects in Uganda, including in the Karamoja region now emerging from years of tribal strife. Rakai has two founding partners – SeedRock Group, which has raised more than $300 million for global resource projects, and the Salama Shield Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) with 20 years of experience in East Africa – and has seven properties of interest, including one active project in the Karamoja region. As an equity partner, the NGO would share in future profits and dividends. CEO Stephen Burega says Rakai was attracted to Uganda because of its largely untapped geological potential and relatively stable political climate. Large companies are showing interest based on recent government geophysical surveys across the country, he adds, and a gold Photographs : Kaminak Gold Corporation ; Sabina Gold & Silver; Rakai Resources 13-11-27 10:16 AM