Osisko Mining Corporation

What does Osisko mean by sustainable development?

At Osisko, sustainable development has been a series of actions, measures, ideas and details that helped build the Canadian Malartic project as a balance between the economy, the environment, and the social and community components.

Our sustainable development program is guided by the motto: "Toward a carbon neutral footprint".

This vision was part of our plan right from the beginning, when we first started designing the project.

Our goal is to minimize the environmental impacts as much as possible. A variety of measures were adopted to meet this goal. First and foremost, we decided to prioritize hydro-electric power to reduce the need for fossil fuels. For example, we opted for electric shovels and became the first customers for a new generation of trucks with motors that meet the EPA's Tier 2 emission standards.

Another important choice was to progressively restore vegetation at the mine site rather than waiting until the end of the mine's life cycle. This process of continuous rehabilitation was made possible by our decision to use thickened tailings technology, which allows indigenous trees to be planted while mining continues. Once completed, a total of 860 hectares (700 ha of tailings pond, 25 ha of roads and the mine plant site, 35 ha around the open pit, and 100 ha of the polishing pond area) will be reforested, effectively providing a new carbon sink.

The Osisko forest

As part of our endeavour to reduce Osisko's carbon footprint, we are launching the "Osisko Forest" project. The project will consist of a reforestation program for various municipal land lots in the region, and will be jointly implemented by officials of the Vallée-de-l'Or MRC (regional county municipality).

The project will involve the landscaping and reforestation of 100 hectares of land each year for nine years. Although the "Osisko Forest" concept could be carried out anywhere to help store carbon, Osisko prefers to encourage reforestation in the Vallée-de-l'Or region.

An additional benefit is that the project will provide jobs for MRC people who will work under the expert guidance of the region's environmental group.

Related links »

Environment

Environmental Impact Studies »

Sector reports for Canadian Malartic project