The Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) standard, developed by the Mining Association of Canada, has just been adopted by the Quebec Mining Association. The initiative requires mining companies to self-assess their operations annually against a set of 6 performance-standards covering tailings management, Aboriginal and community outreach, biodiversity conservation management, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, safety and health, and crisis management planning.
Mining companies in Quebec, that are members of the Quebec Mining Association, will have a four year phase-in period to ensure operations meet the TSM standard. Annual self-assessment results will be externally-verified by Mining Association of Canada recognized third-party verifiers every three years to ensure the reported results are accurate. All facility-level results will be published each year in annual TSM Progress Reports and will be readily available to the public. Note that Quebec companies that are also members of the Mining Association of Canada will already have adopted the standard and are reporting annually.
EEM has been involved with the TSM initiative since its inception ten years ago. Three members of our team are recognized TSM Verification Service Providers. We frequently assist our mining clients with implementation and verification of TSM performance standards. EEM has also co-authored community engagement strategies for mining companies and has been involved with the creation and facilitation of multi-interest stakeholder groups to address local concerns about a mine’s development that are in-line with the TSM Aboriginal and community outreach standard.