Management Approach

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Goals and Performance | Employment, Income, Education and Training | Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples | Transparency in Operations, Investment and Procurement Practices

Through our relationships with host communities, we have developed policies, goals and programs that respect human rights, cultures, customs and values. We continue to build partnerships with government and community organizations in order to improve community services and infrastructure in the areas around our operations.

Our approach to community relations covers a full range of aspects, as it includes the local communities in which we operate, artisanal and small-scale mining, resettlement, human rights, closure planning, grievance mechanisms and procedures, emergency preparedness, corruption, public policy, anti-competitive behaviour and compliance.

Goldcorp's management approach to Corporate Social Responsibility is led by our Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. Our corporate social responsibility policy is guided by international standards and best practices, and driven by our aspiration for excellence in the overall performance of our business (see our website).

Goals and Performance

Goldcorp is committed to conducting our business responsibly, which means respecting the safety and health of our employees, protecting the environment, respecting the human rights of our employees and the residents of the communities in which we operate and contributing to the sustainable development of those communities.

Our commitment to these efforts is outlined in our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Policy and Human Rights Policy.

Goldcorp is an active supporter of the EITI, both via the Company's membership of the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) and individual corporate action. Goldcorp endorses its principles and criteria as a way to improve the transparency around payments and revenues in the extractives sector in developing countries. Goldcorp's status as a supporter company can be viewed on the EITI's website.

As a matter of principle Goldcorp has established a practice of disclosing all payments made to governments in our annual Sustainable Development Report, regardless of whether the country is a formal supporter of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a partnership of governments, international organizations, companies, NGOs, investors and business and industrial organizations. For example, payments with respect to the Marlin mine in Guatemala have also been disclosed locally on billboards and internationally via the internet since the mine initiated operations in 2005. In countries where governments have indicated a desire to be a part of the process, Goldcorp is actively involved in contributing to the success of the initiative.

Employment, Income, Education and Training

Goldcorp's employment procedures place a high priority on local recruitment. Goldcorp provides education and training programs with the goal of increasing employment opportunities. We also purchase goods and services from local businesses.

83% of employees at our operations are from the local community or region. Only 1% are recruited internationally. Entry-level wages at our operations are significantly higher than those in the local community – ranging from 1.5 to 3.4 times the local wage. Goldcorp employed 1,373 Indigenous employees and contractors, representing total wages of $19 million. More than 87% of goods and services we purchase are sourced locally or regionally.

We have also collected data on the ratio between the standard entry-level wage at our operations compared to local minimum wages. An entry-level wage is the full-time wage offered to an employee in the lowest employment category, and minimum wage refers to the lowest level of compensation allowable under law. The lowest ratio at our operations is 1.5 times the local wage, and the highest ratio is 3.4 times the local wage, with a mean of 2.5.

In areas where there are significant Indigenous populations (e.g., First Nations communities in Canada, or Mam and Sipacapense-speaking communities in Guatemala), we have implemented programs to encourage the employment of members of these groups.

Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples

Goldcorp supports the training and employment of Indigenous people. During 2010, Goldcorp had 924 Indigenous employees and 449 Indigenous contractors, for a total of 1,373 Indigenous workers. The total salaries and wages for Indigenous workers was $19 million in 2010.

Five of our operations are in or adjacent to Indigenous territories. All of the five operations have a formal agreement in place with the Indigenous communities.

Transparency in Operations, Investment and Procurement Practices

Goldcorp ensures anti-corruption mechanisms are in place to support ethical operations and decision-making. These mechanisms include training employees in anti-corruption policies and procedures. In 2010, 92% of our management employees and 55% of our non-management employees were trained in anti-corruption policies and procedures. We demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and provide mechanisms for addressing community grievances and concerns about our operations.

We contribute to the development of public policy, by sharing our perspectives on issues that impact our operations, through representative industry bodies or by engaging directly with governments. In 2010, Goldcorp was engaged in public policy development at our Éléonore, Musselwhite and Peñasquito mines.

Also in 2010, Goldcorp joined with other Canadian gold producers and industry associations in activities related to Private Member's Bill C-300, which proposed new regulations for the Corporate Accountability of Mining, Oil and Gas Corporations in Developing Countries Act. During this process, Goldcorp provided members of the Federal government with information regarding Goldcorp's Corporate Social Responsibility activities across all of our operations and also provided information regarding the international standards that the Company adheres to. In addition, Goldcorp, along with other gold producers and industry advocates, appeared before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development in Ottawa to discuss Bill C-300.

Goldcorp is a member of the World Gold Council. As the gold industry's key marketing body, the World Gold Council works closely with jewellery retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, banks, investment companies and distribution specialists to promote the use of gold in jewellery and industrial applications, as well as by central banks and other official sector institutions.