RED LAKE

SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental Initiatives | Community Development

Environmental Initiatives

Red Lake mine has developed a series of management programs for environmental activities, tailings management and occupational health and safety that enable the Corporation to reach its commitments.  Red Lake mine regularly updates and modifies its environmental program to help lead Goldcorp and the mining industry in Canada toward the goals of sustainable development. 

In 2006, a waste water treatment plant was designed to treat water from the tailings facility at the Red Lake Complex. The plant is designed to treat up to 30,000 cubic metres of water per day.

A waste water treatment facility was constructed at the Cochenour Complex in 2006 and can treat up to 8,000 cubic metres of water per day for arsenic removal. 

The Campbell complex has constructed a wetland to provide better removal of nutrients and improve discharge water quality to Balmer Lake.  Environmental Effects Monitoring is carried out annually to determine changes in aquatic ecosystems as a result of mining activities in the Red Lake area. 

Due to the history of mining in the local area, Red Lake mine has developed strong working relationships with several universities, research consultants and government agencies to develop and examine rehabilitation techniques and environmental monitoring programs.  With continued environmental improvements around the Red Lake mine site, biological activity has been improving in the watershed and the aquatic ecosystems are improving and reestablishing in Balmer Lake.  In 2006 a final report was submitted to Environment Canada that summarized the findings of fieldwork carried out in 2005.  The report verified a general improvement trend in the benthic community and acknowledged that Balmer Lake is a viable, yet altered ecosystem.

Canadian Geese at Diversion Ditch

Moose at the Tailing Management System

Community Development

The Red Lake mine has been an integral part of the local community for many years and will continue to bring prosperity to the district in the years ahead. The Red Lake complex spends more than US$110 million annually with local suppliers (Ontario & Manitoba).

Red Lake mine provides employment for about 1,270 employees and contractors, more than half of whom live in the Red Lake Area. Staff and contractors are actively involved in the community through various activities.

The mine actively supports the community of Red Lake and other surrounding communities with health, education and recreational activities as the top priorities. The mine supports those community activities that have the greatest benefit for our employees and the community at large.

The mine also supports local schools through donations for playground equipment, improvements to facilities and fundraising events. The mine is actively involved in the school curricula by providing guest speakers, making presentations and judging speeches or science fairs. The company also provides awards for academic achievement, annual graduate scholarships and student employment.

With the current boom in the mining sector, the Red Lake mine recognized an opportunity to train local First Nations residents as potential candidates for mining related employment. A partnership has been formed with the RLGM, Red Lake Indian Friendship Center, Northern Chiefs Tribal Council and Confederation College. Partnering with local First Nations will help develop 80 new underground miners over a three-year period.

Red Lake Norseman Festival
Stope School participants	Annual Red Lake Sled Dog Races
School Tour of wetlands at Campbell	Giving Donation from Campbell to Crimestoppers

 Red Lake Mine Sustainability Report 2005