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ECOLOGO Certification for Mineral Exploration

The first comprehensive certification for mineral exploration companies and their service providers that features third-party certification of environmental, social and economic practices.  Currently offered in Quebec and expanding across Canada and abroad.

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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, 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 a process that includes on-site visits and thorough 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 one of two standards:

  1.    UL 2723 ECOLOGO Certification Program for Mineral Exploration Companies
  2.    UL 2724 ECOLOGO Certification Program for Suppliers of 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
  • Air quality
  • Water quality
  • Soil quality
  • Respect for sensitive areas and wildlife habitat

Quality of Life

  • Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of local communities
  • Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of Aboriginal communities
  • Noise and sensory environment
  • Quality of visual environment
  • Health and safety of communities
  • Respect for cultural heritage

Local Investment

  • Selection of local labor
  • Selection of local suppliers

Work Environment

  • Occupational health and safety

Business Ethics

  • Corruption prevention
  • Accountability of 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 local 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 can receive additional benefits including marketplace preference, green investment dollars and potential tax reductions.

WHY UL

A trusted name in third party testing and certification for more than 125 years, UL is a science-based testing, inspection and certification company with expertise in developing standards and certifying against those standards. Third-party certifications from UL demonstrate integrity of claims and can add more value to your brand.  When your success is at stake, leave nothing to chance—put UL’s vast expertise, thoroughness, broad capabilities, widespread acceptance and world-class reputation to work for you.