Corporate Responsibility
Over the past decade, we have operated mines in Mexico, Brazil, Turkey and China. We continue to grow our operations in Turkey, China, Brazil and Greece. We are proud of our record of implementing industry best practices that minimize environmental impacts while maximizing social and economic benefits.
In the following pages, we describe our commitment to responsible operations throughout all stages of the mine cycle, and then highlight our community development initiatives in Turkey, China and Greece.
Eldorado Gold: Vineyard project in Efemcukuru, Turkey (Click to enlarge)
Responsibility throughout the life of a mine
We bring new opportunities to our stakeholders at all stages of the mining cycle, from initial exploration through to mine closure and reclamation.
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Exploration
During exploration, while we conduct geological surveys and sampling to determine the existence and location of an ore deposit, we initiate dialogue and meet with local community members to identify their main social and environmental concerns and better understand their needs.
Development
During the development stage, we complete a feasibility study that outlines the economics, optimal mining method and mineral recovery process for the project, including closure considerations. We conduct extensive environmental testing and studies to firmly establish baseline data and characteristics for air, water, soil and biodiversity. All this information becomes part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that we file with the appropriate authorities.
We also begin infrastructure development initiatives that include improving roads, building sewage systems and drilling water wells, according to the needs of the communities.
Construction and training
We make it a priority to hire local residents, training all employees and instructing construction contractors in the best environmental, health and safety practices, procedures and controls. Based on our dialogue with the local community, we identify gaps in skills, provide on-the-job training and work with local technical schools and universities to enhance their mining-specific programs to help increase employability.
Mining and processing
All our mining operations comply with local and international environmental standards. We implement the practices described in our EIA to mitigate any potential environmental impact of a mine's construction and operation.
As part of our commitment to protecting the environment, we continually monitor the quality of air, water and soil. We also implement programs to preserve biodiversity, monitor noise and dust levels and implement waste reduction and recycling programs throughout our operations.
To ensure a healthy and safe work environment, our employees are trained on an ongoing basis, both in theory and in practice. These training programs have helped to minimize accidents and occupational illnesses.
We employ approximately 2,600 employees and contractors worldwide, the majority of whom are from the local communities near our operations. The competitive salaries and benefits we pay our employees and contractors improve their families' standard of living.
In addition to creating jobs in local communities, we promote many sustainable economic development initiatives. Since the life of any mine is limited, we encourage and work with local communities to create new opportunities for economic development, even after the mine is closed.
Reclamation and closure
During the mine's operation, we conduct research to establish best reclamation practices. These reclamation activities are concurrent with mine operations.
Once a mine is no longer profitable to operate, we close the mine site and conduct reclamation activities so that the physical environment can successfully transition to a productive ecosystem.
We have an excellent record on mining closure and reclamation. In October 2000, we were the first company to receive a final full regulatory environmental release from the Mexican government for reclamation activities at our La Trinidad mine near Rosario, Mexico. The former mine became a lake capable of supporting fish.
Eldorado Gold: La Trinidad mine after reclamation, Mexico (Click to enlarge)
Turkey
Our community enhancement programs evolve out of our ongoing conversations with local community members. These programs are generally focused on four areas where we can make a significant and lasting positive impact: education and training, infrastructure, community life and economic development.
Eldorado Gold: Health scan bus for Uşak and its surrounding villages, Turkey (Click to enlarge)
Promoting education and training
In the villages near Efemcukuru, we encourage female students to complete their high school education. As of 2009, five girls completed high school compared to only one the year before. We also donated computers to Ulubey College.
At our Kişladağ mine we offered safety training for our employees, including among others: Fire & Rescue and First Aid, Oxygen Resuscitator (under the Company doctor's supervision) and Emergency Preparedness training. As part of our commitment to supporting educational initiatives, we are also partnering to construct a building at Uşak University.
Eldorado Gold: Oxygen resuscitator training, Turkey (Click to enlarge)
Developing local infrastructure
We've conducted a range of activities to enhance local infrastructure. These include building water distribution pipelines to bring fresh water to nine villages and four neighborhoods near Kişladağ, paving and upgrading roads, installing sewage systems, drilling water wells, donating funds to purchase a health scan bus and financing the construction of a milk collection plant.
Contributing to the local community
We've made many contributions to enhance the local communities near our Kişladağ mine site, including building a football field, a wedding hall, a meeting hall/village house and a new public house building for an imam, as well as repairing mosques in nearby villages.
Supporting sustainable businesses
In co-operation with the Canadian International Development Agency, we created the Kişladağ Mine Foundation to support initiatives that meet specific sustainable development criteria, including agriculture and training.
We donated funds to the Usak Agricultural Directorate for the Sheep Genetic Improvement Project. Rams were distributed to Usak villages, and there has been an improvement in the quality of the local flocks in terms of both fertility and better wool value, contributing to increase profits for community members.
In 2008 we launched a pilot project in Efemukuru to establish a local vineyard based on a study conducted by a university researcher to identify how we could help local farmers obtain greater value from their crops. As part of the project, we planted 11,200 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah vines on our Efemukuru property. The vineyard is intended to provide local farmers with a valuable and sustainable economic opportunity as the vines develop and mature over the next five to ten years.
Protecting the environment
At our Kişladağ mine, we planted native trees along the mine roads and we maintain greenhouses around the mine area where we grow flowers and shrubs. Approximately 20,000 young tree seedlings have grown in our greenhouse facility during 2009 and we planted 1,500 trees at the Kişladağ mine and mine access road. We've also helped reforest the neighbouring communities.
China
In 2009, we signed a five-year Charity Agreement with the Qinghai provincial government committing US$200,000 annually in funds for charity projects. This agreement formalizes the social initiatives we have been doing in the area.
Eldorado Gold: Charity Agreement with the Qinghai provincial government, China (Click to enlarge)
Promoting education and training
At the Agong Chunwa Tibetan Village Primary School, we replaced the roof, improved the facilities and purchased equipment and books for students and teachers. We have also provided uniforms and other materials to students at the Mahai School.
During 2009, we equipped 3 laboratories at a high school in Qinghai Province, provided furnishings for a Mahai village Primary School and provided computers, uniforms, and sports facilities at the AnguanQunwa Tibet Village Primary School.
Eldorado Gold: Donation of school materials to Tibetan students, China (Click to enlarge)
Developing local infrastructure and healthcare
In 2009, we renovated and equipped the Mahai Village Medical Clinic, a project where we worked with the community leaders and clinic staff to upgrade the local clinic building and assist in providing supplies and training program.
For 2010, we plan to continue our work with the Dachaidan government, targeting a Mahai primary school, a Mahai village road and the DCD general hospital.
Earthquake Relief
We contributed to an earthquake relief fund after the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008.
Recently, after the Qinghai Yushu earthquake in April 2010, Eldorado and QDML responded with an initial contribution of 700,000RMB (US$100,000). Donations from Tanjianshan employees were matched renminbi for renminbi by the mine. In addition, we provided funds to assist an international non-profit organization at the earthquake zone.
Eldorado Gold response to the Qinghai Yushu Earthquake: Mark Platts, General Manager of Tanjianshan mine (right) and Mr. Lu, one of QDML partners at Tanjianshan (left) presenting the donation cheque to Dachaidan official (center) (Click to enlarge)
Protecting the environment
In 2008, our Tanjianshan mine received one of two Provincial Awards for Environment Friendly Projects from the Provincial Environment Protection Bureau in recognition of our environmental initiatives at the mine site. In 2009, we cooperated with Qinghai University on a Re-Vegetation Program. During 2009, we constructed a new agriculture water well to provide water for crops in the area surrounding the Perama Village.
Eldorado Gold: Agriculture water well, Greece (Click to enlarge)
Read our full 2008 Stakeholder & Community Relations Report and update page in our 2009 Annual Report to learn more about our current and past activities exemplifying our commitment to community development.
Last update: May 20, 2010.
