ECOLOGO Certification for Mineral Exploration
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The first comprehensive certification for mineral exploration companies and their service providers that features third-party certification of environmental, social and economic practices. Now offered across Canada.
OVERVIEW
By its very nature, mineral exploration can disrupt natural ecosystems and local economies and trigger effects in communities. As one of the largest industries in Canada, mineral exploration can have considerable impact on the economy and environment.
Recognizing this, the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) mandated the UQAT-UQAM Chair in Mining Entrepreneurship (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue/Université du Québec à Montréal) to develop a standard to evaluate mineral exploration companies and their service providers on:
- Environmental impact
- Safety of people in the mineral exploration process
- Well-being of impacted communities
- Fair and ethical business practices
- Compliance with applicable legal requirements
- Efficient use of financial resources.
This consensus standard has been adapted by UL Solutions, and now companies can pursue ECOLOGO Certification for their mineral exploration activities providing credible, third-party verification to a globally recognized and trusted ecolabelling program, validating their responsible business practices to the market, and demonstrate increased value to financiers and investors.
Through documentation review, the ECOLOGO Certification offers mineral exploration companies and their suppliers the visibility they need to identify, address and promote their responsible processes.
Companies can pursue certification to ULC TS-2723:2024 ECOLOGO® Certification Program for Responsible Development for the Mineral Exploration Industry.
Companies are evaluated on the following requirements in the standard:
Legal Requirements
Compliance with Sustainable Design principles along the value chain
Environmental Quality
- Efficient use of natural resources
- Water quality
- Soil quality
- Sensitive areas and wildlife habitat
- Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of Indigenous communities
Quality of Life
- Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of communities affected
- Noise and sensory environment
- Quality of visual environment
- Health and safety of communities
- Cultural heritage
Local Procurement
- Selection of local labor
- Selection of local and Indigenous Service Providers
Work Environment
- Occupational health and safety
Business Ethics
- Corruption prevention
- Diversity and accountability of board members, executives and managers
Transparency and reporting
- Information sharing
Innovation
- Responsible use of technologies
Economic efficiency
- Efficient use of financial resources
BENEFITS
ECOLOGO Certification for Mineral Exploration offers mineral exploration companies and their service providers an opportunity to verify their responsible practices and their ability to reduce their impact on the environment and communities. Certification enables companies to communicate their commitment to the environment, human health, well-being of the community, and fair economic practices to both investors and stakeholders. In addition, the thorough auditing process can provide visibility into a company’s own operations and those of their suppliers – identifying potential problems early, so they can be addressed prior to safety, social or environmental crises. Certified companies may receive additional benefits including marketplace preference, green investment dollars and potential tax reductions.
WHY UL SOLUTIONS
A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. We deliver testing, inspection and certification services, plus software and advisory offerings that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth.
UL certification Marks serve as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflect an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission.
We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly.
From the adoption of electrification to the enablement of 5G and new mobility, we look toward new frontiers. Our science is your advantage.
To get a copy of the technical specification ULC TS-2723:2024, ECOLOGO® certification program for responsible development for the mineral exploration industry, please click here.
To see the list of companies that have achieved the ECOLOGO® certification for responsible development for the mineral exploration industry, please visit the sustainable product database SPOT.
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