Kinross’ CSR report was published this year under the title: ‘Sustainable Development Report’. This report is published every two years to describe the company’s approach to corporate responsibility and performance.

The publication of a report under this new name takes into account the growing interest in the performance of organizations in ESG areas (environmental, social and governance). This performance is reviewed and the ranking of the institutions is determined, as well as the idea generated by them among the concerned parties.

For all Kinross sites, performance is regularly reported based on the GRI (Global Reporting Index). As this two-year report constitutes its flagship non-financial information document, Kinross nevertheless saw fit to use the ESG label to align with global initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or the World Gold Council’s Principles for Responsible Mineral Action.

ESG performance of Taziazt in Mauritania

Safety performance at work: Taziazt reached the symbolic goal of zero injuries in 2018 and 2019, and reported only one incident with a work stoppage.

Without any doubt, this high level of performance is linked to the critical risk management program that aims to implement tailored control in order to avoid any risk of injury or death. This program was implemented by Taziazt in 2017 and was updated in 2019 with new categories and types of risks. 50 potential risks were reviewed.

Environmental performance: Taziazt’s performance in the field of water and waste management or gradual control of air quality or energy is also considered exemplary.

Since the Taziazt mine is located in a desert area, all treatment processes were designed to recycle water, allowing approximately 79% of the water to be reused in 2018 and approximately 76% in 2019.

The treatment waste management relies on a cyanide destruction system and transporting this waste to outdoor storage and treatment facilities. Taziazt recorded such high levels of performance in this field that no reportable incident was reported at the level of its tailings barn dams during the inspection visit carried out by independent experts.

A triennial audit completed in November 2019 allowed Taziazt to successfully renew its accreditation as a company in compliance with the International Cyanide Management Code.

Finally, Taziazt is closely studying any potential source of pollution, and initially 5 air quality monitoring stations were installed on the site. Two additional stations were also acquired last year to conduct additional inspections and follow-up of the entire area protected by the fence at the site.

Socio-economic performance: Taziazt makes a significant contribution in this area through sustainable job creation, training, procurement and tendering processes, tax payment or meaningful community support.

Creating sustainable, good jobs and contributing to the development of the national workforce is one of Taziazt’s top priorities.

In 2019, Taziazt allocated more than $1.6 million (60 million new ounces) to the formation of support, operations and general training functions in the field of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) or in the field of personal development to encourage the emergence of a management composed of Mauritanians. This policy led to a reduction in the number of foreign jobs to 4.5% of the total number of workers. In addition, workers’ compensation includes other benefits such as production bonuses, health insurance, and allowances. Thus, in 2019, $50 million (i.e. approximately 1.9 billion new ouguiyas) was paid in the form of raw wages and benefits to the employees of Taziazt Mauritania Limited. In addition to the support it provides for industrial development, Taziazt encourages, to the extent possible, the development of local content in order for its economic benefits to be actual and real.

In addition to strengthening the capabilities of the institutions that Taziazt works with, its “Supply Network” sector established in 2019 a committee charged with preparing a precise definition of local content in order to differentiate between Mauritanian-owned institutions and other entities with foreign interests or partnerships.

In addition, Taziazt resorts to local institutions in the region to provide many services to communities, such as water supply, transportation services, and waste collection. On the other hand, other activities, such as fence repair, are carried out by local cooperatives. According to a study completed in 2018 among communities living near the mine, 96% of the people interviewed considered Taziazt to be important to the local economy.

In 2019, Taziazt paid $79.4 million to the Mauritanian government in the form of taxes, fees, royalties, and royalties. There are also axes of intervention listed below.

A mission carried out in the National Park of the Arken Basin led to the completion of two hydrological and biodiversity studies that proved the absence of a trace of the mine and its water wells on the National Park of the Arken Basin and then opened the door to a framework partnership of multiple scientific and social projects. Drilling worth $100,000 (i.e. 3.7 million new ounces) has been completed in the Levantine Green Belt.

On the other hand, Taziazt provided important logistical services to rehabilitate traditional gold mining areas at a cost of more than 1.2 million new ounces. Over the course of two years, the company responded to 14 urgent intervention requests following the collapse of wells and trenches that had been dug.

– Community programs covering a wide range of projects, grants and services worth approximately $2 million (75.5 million new ounces) between 2018 and 2019.

Within the framework of a social dialogue, consultation with neighboring communities was strengthened through direct engagement with beneficiaries. This allowed the continuation, in a satisfactory manner, of the direct grants and services program, which represents a significant part of the activity (food grants, water supply, veterinary care, transportation).

In addition to improving living standards, other interventions were carried out, including an artistic training program, the formation of a cooperative, and the construction of a children’s garden in Binshab.

In 2019, the health program included medical lift for two people, 600 consultations in the Taziazt clinic for people living less than 30 kilometers from the mine, medical care for the mobile clinic in 16 towns, training in emergency care, and the donation of an ambulance to the health center in Bennashab. This is in addition to the rescue missions that covered needs in the field of food security and health services at a total cost of $250,000, or approximately 9.5 million new ouguiya.

– Corporate Governance: The corporate governance principles that drive Kinross’ approach to business leadership have influenced Taziazt on many levels.

As well as appointing a new board of directors with Mauritanian independent auditors and board members, Taziazt addressed the issue of vulnerable groups raised by stakeholders such as the IFC and developed a framework for assessing the risks of forced labor in the catering network.

Finally, cultural diversity received special attention through a clear focus on recruiting members from communities near the mine, whose number will henceforth be 40.

Women’s participation has also increased, driven by improved living conditions on site. Fifty women currently work with Taziazt, while nearly seventy work with contractors, in professions such as engineering, administrative services, and metal truck driving.