PDAC Welcomes Support for Canadian Extractive Sector


OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - November 18, 2014) - The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) welcomes the Government of Canada's commitment to assist the mineral exploration and mining industry to succeed abroad. Measures to support the sector are included in the updated Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy for the Canadian International Extractive Sector that was released last Friday, as well as the Extractive Sector Strategy announced today in Ottawa by The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, and The Honourable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources.

"The Government of Canada has an important role to play in supporting both the global competitiveness of the Canadian mineral industry, and its ability to contribute to the sustainable development of the societies in which it operates," says PDAC President Rod Thomas. "PDAC supports the steps taken to promote responsible mineral development, along with the efforts that provide additional stability for our members operating abroad, such as the development of Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with foreign countries."

The Extractive Sector Strategy consists of four pillars, to secure access to markets for Canadian extractive sector companies promote Canadian companies abroad, support corporate social responsibility and enhance the awareness of the importance of the extractive sector to Canadians.

"Canada is home to a world-class mineral exploration and mining industry," adds Thomas. "It is important for Canadians to understand the enormous contribution the industry makes in their daily lives, from employing geologists, lawyers and accountants, to providing the raw materials used in our smartphones."

The Government's CSR Strategy for the Extractive Sector was launched in 2009 and underwent a five-year review in 2013. The PDAC is supportive of efforts to enhance the capacity of the Trade Commissioner Service to support responsible exploration and mining abroad. The Trade Commissioners are valuable sources of intelligence that can help companies establish positive relationships with all project-affected stakeholders. The PDAC also strongly supports Canada's work to build up the capacity of developing countries to manage their resources responsibly.

"Many Canadian mineral exploration and mining companies are recognized as world leaders in corporate social responsibility practices," notes Thomas. "We are pleased to see the Government of Canada recognize the guidance the industry has developed, including PDAC's e3Plus. The PDAC looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to promote a responsible and competitive Canadian extractive sector."

e3plus is a free toolkit developed by PDAC to help exploration companies continuously improve their social, environmental and health and safety performance. To view PDAC's full submission to the CSR Strategy review, please click here.  

About the PDAC
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is a national association representing the mineral exploration and development industry. The PDAC has more than 10,000 individual and corporate members, and encourages the highest standards of technical, environmental, safety and social practices in Canada and around the world. The PDAC also hosts the mineral industry's largest annual convention in downtown Toronto. The PDAC 2015 Convention will take place from March 1 to March 4.

Contact Information:

Contact Information
Kathleen Napier
Media Relations
PDAC 
416-362-1969 ext. 233
media@pdac.ca