New Gold Inc.’s (TSX:NGD) New Afton Mine has received the 2011 Mining and Sustainability Award.
The annual award provides an opportunity to publicly acknowledge companies, communities, First Nations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies and individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership in sustainability.
It is a joint initiative of the Mining Association of BC (MABC) and the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas, and was first issued in 2005.
Karina Briño, MABC president and CEO, said, “New Gold has achieved outstanding success in building the New Afton underground mine, a complex technological, environmental and social undertaking.
“The company has a dedicated commitment to health and safety principles, respect for Indigenous Peoples, good resource-use efficiency, continuous learning initiatives, partnership benefits and has strived to build an outstanding team.”
New Afton Mine general manager, Kurt Keskimaki, said it was an honour for the mine’s sustainability practices to be recognized by MABC and the B.C. government.
“Responsible mining is embedded in the culture of our organization and practiced every day by our employees,” said Keskimaki.
“To us, sustainability means leaving the land in better condition than when a project starts, and taking the opportunity to create new opportunities for its use. It is also means developing the skills and knowledge of our people, not only to ensure a safe, happy and productive workforce, but to set our employees up for long and successful careers.”
The official opening of the New Afton Mine in the Kamloops region is today.
