Our Approach
Health & Safety
Environment
Community Relations
Local Impact
Indigenous Relations
Reports & Policies
SUSTAINABILITY
Our Approach
Our Key Beliefs at Tacora (Guiding Principles)
We believe that all injuries and fatalities are preventable. We believe in a culture where the health and safety of all workers is an overriding value. We believe that excellence in health and safety is important to our long-term success.
Shared Responsibility
We are collectively and individually responsible for the safety of all workers and all worksites. Individuals must assume responsibility for their own safety and co-workers’ safety by following all safety rules, procedures, and practices, refusing to perform unsafe work, and taking collective responsibility for others’ unsafe conduct. Contractors must also take a leadership role in ensuring worker health and safety and assuring accountability for safety on the worksite.
Commitment to Training
We understand the importance of workers being fully prepared for the work they do. All workers on our worksite must be competent and fully trained and certified for the work they are performing.
Continual Improvement
We are committed to the on-going improvement of our practices and support efforts to develop and implement new methods, procedures, and technologies that have the potential to improve safety. We actively engage our workforce to provide feedback and improvement initiatives.
Recognition of Safety Performance and Practices
The commitment to health and safety is to all workers, not just direct employees. When engaging contractors, sub-contractors, and others to provide services, the selection process and administration of contracts include recognition and support of good safety performance and practices.
Leadership
Our leaders uphold our beliefs, values, and standards. Our leaders never walk past an unsafe activity or workplace condition without taking action. Our leaders believe in leading by example, and actively engage our workforce to provide feedback and improvement initiatives.
Health and Safety
At Tacora, we strive to eliminate all hazards and risks to our workers’ health. To accomplish this, occupational hygiene risk assessments and findings are carried out through monitoring and exposure controls, which protect all our employees’ health. We also have a Primary Care Paramedic as well as trained Advanced Medical First Responders onsite at all times.
To learn more about safety and our protocols, click here.
We also recognize that the most common occupational diseases are hearing loss and respiratory illness. To mitigate occupational disease instances, programs have been implemented to monitor and assess employees for exposure, and controls have been put in place. The main programs implemented, among others, have been the hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs. The hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs include medical assessments conducted on a prescribed schedule by qualified off-site medical personnel. The medical assessments are comprised of chest x-rays and miner medicals. Miner medicals provide a means of monitoring our employees’ wellness, including their hearing and lung health. As a result, appropriate measures can be taken to safeguard against exposure and irreversible damage to employee’s health.
In 2020, Tacora completed noise exposure assessments to support the implementation measures required to manage hearing hazards and risks. A site-wide dust study to identify areas with the risk of exposure and implement controls such as modifications to dust collection units to improve air quality was also completed.
4.9 All-injury frequency rate
11.6 Lost time incident frequency rate
0.0 Occupational illnesses rate
*per 200,000 hours worked
Health and Safety
At Tacora, we strive to eliminate all hazards and risks to our workers’ health. To accomplish this, occupational hygiene risk assessments and findings are carried out through monitoring and exposure controls, which protect all our employees’ health. We also have a Primary Care Paramedic as well as trained Advanced Medical First Responders onsite at all times.
To learn more about safety and our protocols, click here.
We also recognize that the most common occupational diseases are hearing loss and respiratory illness. To mitigate occupational disease instances, programs have been implemented to monitor and assess employees for exposure, and controls have been put in place. The main programs implemented, among others, have been the hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs. The hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs include medical assessments conducted on a prescribed schedule by qualified off-site medical personnel. The medical assessments are comprised of chest x-rays and miner medicals. Miner medicals provide a means of monitoring our employees’ wellness, including their hearing and lung health. As a result, appropriate measures can be taken to safeguard against exposure and irreversible damage to employee’s health.
In 2020, Tacora completed noise exposure assessments to support the implementation measures required to manage hearing hazards and risks. A site-wide dust study to identify areas with the risk of exposure and implement controls such as modifications to dust collection units to improve air quality was also completed.
4.9 All-injury frequency rate
11.6 Lost time incident frequency rate
0.0 Occupational illnesses rate
*per 200,000 hours worked
Environment
Water
Water is a material topic for Tacora as a significant quantity of water is required for mining and mineral processing operations. Water used at Tacora is discharged back to the natural environment, necessitating responsible use and stewardship of this shared resource. Potential impacts can occur at both the point of supply and / or downstream of our operational sites related to water availability, recreational use, ecosystem value, aquatic and terrestrial habitats or community needs.
WATER QUALITY MONITORING & SURVEILLANCE
Water quality monitoring procedures are implemented for timely detection of any changes to water quality or aquatic biodiversity that might be attributable to our activities. Tacora reports both planned and unplanned water discharges from all regulated discharge points at our operations.
Tacora completes required monitoring of effluent discharges and water quality, on a weekly, monthly and quarterly schedule, as required under the federal Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (“MDMER”), and provincial Certificate of Approval (“CofA”) criteria including acute and sub-lethal biological testing. Metal levels for these samples did not exceed the limits specified in these regulations in 2020.
60% Recycled water used in the milling process
STEPS TAKEN
We are fully committed to responsible water stewardship, implementing a comprehensive water management planning process to minimize any negative impact on water sources, other water users and receiving environments.
Throughout 2020, our operations continued to commit to improvements in water assessment and management practices, evaluating water-use efficiency, initiatives to prevent unnecessary pressure on shared resources and measures to minimize environmental and social impacts.
Tacora’s operations all continuously seek to improve site water balances and water management plans, with inputs, internal flows and outputs being routinely measured to inform management planning and reporting. We actively monitor the impacts of all our water withdrawals and discharges, focusing on aspects such as the recreational value of water resources and receiving environments, water quality and aquatic biodiversity.
» During 2020, we have continued to prioritize water stewardship by identifying projects to reduce fresh water usage; and
» Monitoring surface water, groundwater, and discharges to confirm the effectiveness of our environmental protection procedures and to enable timely identification of any issues that may arise.
Climate Change
Tacora is fully committed to reducing emissions to mitigate climate change impacts of our operations. This begins by setting practical, science-based targets to hold ourselves accountable in reaching our goals. We are proactively developing a long-term emissions reduction strategy to ensure a 12% reduction in GHG emission intensity (compared to 2022-2024 average performance) by 2027.
The path to measurable emission reductions is defined by:
- Calculating annual GHG emission inventories;
- Identifying areas where mitigative measures are impactful and feasible;
- Pursuing opportunities and technology that improve efficiencies as well as reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions;
- Collaborating internally and externally on policies and regulations; and
- Reevaluating our approach as technologies, goals, and circumstances change.
Industrial Hygiene
As a part of Tacora’s health, safety and environment program, industrial hygiene plays an integral role. Many of the hazards associated with industrial hygiene stem from acute injuries or incidents which can lead to long term chronic effects if not properly addressed. As a result, efforts are focused on identifying, monitoring, and reducing exposures to potential hazards including physical, chemical, ergonomic, and biological agents. These hazards can lead to both acute and chronic occupational diseases. Discover a more in-depth description of our approach to industrial hygiene here.
Tacora’s industrial hygiene programs work to determine risks by identifying and monitoring potential exposures. Monitoring is unique to operational areas and work groups where identified potential exposures are minimized utilizing the hierarchy of controls to reduce the risk to employees. As a part of this, programs and procedures have been implemented to control employee exposures.
Over the course of 2020, the goals of the industrial hygiene program were to begin building on baseline exposure data collected in 2019. This aided in the development of similar work groups for employees and physical workplaces. The data was then used to carry out sampling programs to evaluate, control, and minimize the risk of potential exposures. In addition to planned sampling, monitoring is conducted for those instances where concerns are identified, elevated levels are detected and to support ongoing projects. During 2020, 38% more samples were taken than planned to gain the baseline information, address concerns and elevated levels. Many of these samples were completed in the breathing zone of Tacora employees to identify the respiratory risks and most impacted work areas.
Tailings Management
Flora Basin was designed as the Tailings Impoundment Area (TIA) for tailings disposal from the onset of ore processing at the Wabush Labrador Scully Mine since 1965. The TIA at the mine is approximately 1250 hectares (ha) in size and composed of coarse to fine sandy tailings material.
TAILINGS MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS
Approximately 868 ha had been vegetated up to 2016, as part of a site remediation program that began in 1997. Another 240 ha of inactive tailings remained to be vegetated. In 2018 Tacora purchased and reopened the mine operations. As a result, the tailings became an active site again, where only incremental revegetation programs are required, versus the complete remediation program for a mine closure. In 2020, Tacora established 37 ha of vegetation on various exposed tailings areas. Hydroseeding was used to apply seed, mulch, fertilizers, etc. using a Finn T120 & Bowie 1500 Hydroseeder. The hydroseed mix design that was used in the 2020 program included wood mulch, paper mulch, compost, tackifier, a custom seed mixture, wood pellet and fertilizer. Vegetating and fertilizing the tailings areas are an essential part of retaining biodiversity.
The Tailings Safety Initiative is an investor-led initiative to improve disclosure standards around tailings management in the extractive industry. Led by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Swedish Council on Ethics for the AP Pension Funds, the Initiative consists of 96 institutional investors representing over US$10.3 trillion in assets under management. Tacora is pleased to provide the following letter from former CEO, Thierry Martel, along with the Tailings Storage Area questionnaire requested by the Initiative. This information provides a brief overview of our tailings management system and other information that may be of value to our stakeholders.
… I fully support the Initiative, as we promote safety and responsible mining as a core value of our business. – Thierry Martel CEO
In 2021, using the same mix as 2020, Tacora fertilized and seeded 70 hectares of tailings. We also introduced the Tackifier Technology to the revegetation program in 2021 to mitigate dust lift-off concerns, with approximately 140 hectares sealed. Tackifier is an environmentally friendly, 100% organic, non toxic, and biodegradable product used to stabilize the soil and reduce dust.
In 2021, Tacora in partnership with a local environmental consulting company, SEM, initiated a phytoremediation project as part of our progressive rehabilitation work on our tailings. By combining principles of ecology with the soil properties of mine tailings we aim to create a long-term transition plan to return the tailings areas to more natural, biodiverse, and representative ecosystems.
Community Relations
At Tacora, we are committed to supporting our local communities and aim to make a positive and lasting impact by contributing to the sustainability and prosperity of the communities in which we operate. Tacora’s continued mission is to develop long-term lasting sustainable relationships built on shared values and common goals.
We believe that being socially responsible is essential to our operating and financial success. We are committed to developing relationships based on open and honest communication with our stakeholders and communicating with them in a timely manner. We highly value community engagement and work continuously to maintain our license to operate. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of mining while minimizing any negative consequences from our activities.
Our operations regularly engage with community stakeholders to incorporate their values and concerns into our business activities. Our engagement programs and activities include formal and informal communication and feedback sessions; community partnerships; sponsorships and community investments.
In 2020, Tacora procured a total of $147,920,860 in goods and services. Of the $117,657,735 that was procured locally in Newfoundland and Labrador, $115,885,898 was directly procured within the Labrador region.
Tacora has a 3-year agreement with the Town of Wabush, whereby Tacora pays a grant-in-lieu of taxes to the town in the amount of $1.6 million per year. The agreement expires in 2022.
Tacora has agreed, in partnership with the Town of Labrador City and the Iron Ore Company of Canada, to pay to the Town of Wabush a sum of $200,000 for three years (2019-2021).
In 2020, Tacora procured a total of $147,920,860 in goods and services. Of the $117,657,735 that was procured locally in Newfoundland and Labrador, $115,885,898 was directly procured within the Labrador region.
Tacora has a 3-year agreement with the Town of Wabush, whereby Tacora pays a grant-in-lieu of taxes to the town in the amount of $1.6 million per year. The agreement expires in 2022.
In 2021, Tacora has donated to such groups as the Kids Club Indoor Playground, Menihek Nordic Ski Club, Encore Community Arts Association, Labrador West Salvation Army, Ronald McDonald House/Momma’s Dream Team, Wabush Fire Department, Labrador West Ground Search and Rescue, Ducks Unlimited and other non-profit organizations.
Tacora is an active member of the Labrador West Chamber of Commerce.
Sydvaranger regularly consults with local politicians, environmental organizations, the Reindeer Grazing District 5AC Pasvik, the Sami Parliament and neighbors of the mining area.
Tacora Resources Community Giving Fund
Tacora has established a Community Giving Fund to which community groups may apply for funding assistance. All requests are assessed under a criteria matrix and each request is evaluated on an individual basis.
Local Impact
At Tacora, we recognize the importance in delivering economic benefits (direct and indirect) for the communities, businesses, and governments where we operate. Tacora supports the principles of first consideration and full and fair opportunity for suppliers located within the Province of NL, and works hard to create local impact wherever we operate.
We recognize that local employment is a primary benefit of our operations for local stakeholders, where 96% of Tacora employees are local. Through local employment, there are indirect impacts in stimulation of local economies, including demand for various local goods and services.
Tacora commits to working with the province to identify trade shortages and implement training/apprenticeship programs in these areas. Educational opportunities and employee skill development are also offered by Tacora.
We believe in contributing to the prosperity and sustainability of our local and regional economies, and continue to invest in social, educational, environmental, and recreational programs that benefit local communities.
Indigenous Relations
Tacora recognizes the diversity of Indigenous Peoples who live where we work and operate. We value and cultivate our relationship. We engage directly with Indigenous communities to foster meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships, and seek to ensure our operations are respectful to Indigenous rights, cultural beliefs, and aspirations.
Tacora has successfully negotiated an Impact Benefits Agreement (IBA) with the Innu Nation of Labrador; this IBA outlines guidelines around hiring, procurement, and royalty payments. Tacora has agreed that the Innu Nation will be given prior notification of hiring opportunities and certain procurement opportunities on which Innu Partnership companies can submit quotes and bids.