Community
The Nevada mine operations have focused on educating the community by conducting mine tours, participating in classroom activities and community organizations and investing in mining-related education, such as a $2.5 million donation to the Mackay School of Mines at the University of Nevada. For its mining-education efforts and leadership, Newmont received the 2003 Mackay School of Mines’ Corporate Partner of the Year Award.
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Community relations efforts center around the development and implementation of initiatives that provide for sustainability to our communities. The 2004 United Way workplace campaign generated $708,000 for United Way of the Great Basin which provides funding for numerous community programs throughout rural northeast Nevada. Half of this funding comes directly from Newmont Nevada-based employees who recognize the importance of giving to their communities. Employee contributions increased 28% from 2003. Employee participation increased from 67% to 75%. This community investment provides sustainable resources for children, the elderly, families, neighborhoods and the local communities. Eastern Nevada proactively engaged Carlin city officials and private water well owners to resolve water quality issues. Discussions continued with Elko and Eureka County officials regarding net proceeds tax revenue. Local government officials also were informed of ongoing contract labor negotiations, as Newmont is the largest private employer in the area and has a significant economic impact.
Newmont invests in Elko County through philanthropic activities and encourages its employees to volunteer time in local organizations. On the average, approximately 230 employees donate more than 4,000 hours each year to volunteer efforts.
Although not aggressively preparing for mine closure, Eastern Nevada is an active partner with local businesses, other mining companies, educational institutions, civic leaders and government agencies in forming a working group that addresses long-term sustainability issues within the community. Meanwhile, the mine will continue to promote local employment initiatives and continue working with local vendors.
The Western Nevada operations are situated in locations ranging from 5 to 115 miles from the neighboring communities of Winnemucca, Battle Mountain, Midas and McDermitt. Western Nevada also launched a net proceeds workshop to inform community leaders on the net proceeds tax process and its impact to the budgets of local governmental entities.
At the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce in Lander County, Newmont provided information that helps local firms learn how to do business with the Company. Through community relations and community involvement Newmont has reinforced the operation’s commitment to community outreach. The community relations team identified key stakeholders in Winnemucca and Battle Mountain and gathered input through interviews. Community involvement opportunities are communicated and encouraged routinely to employees.
Newmont’s participation in the Humboldt Development Authority supports the sustainability of the town of Winnemucca and Humboldt County. The authority is composed of community representatives from banking, mining, agriculture, small business, city council and the county commission.
Western Nevada’s local community investment program recognizes the importance of investing in the community, and Newmont supports a wide range of community investment activities through grants, the commitment of employee time and skills, and employee volunteerism.
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Newmont collaborated with the Midas Water Cooperative, a drilling contractor, a local general contractor, a water resource consultant and Midas residents to develop a new drinking water well. Newmont participates in the Lowry Mining Foundation in Humboldt County. The foundation is administered by general managers from area mines and is committed to providing scholarship funds to local high school graduates, with the long-term goal of creating an endowment.
To support sustainable development, Newmont made a five-year pledge to an indoor events center in Winnemucca. The final payment in the pledge will be made in 2006. The company provided surveying assistance, equipment and labor to the Winnemucca Raceway facility. This facility will attract tourists and motor racing enthusiasts to the area.
Newmont is currently conducting a social impact assessment in Lander County to fully understand the impacts of the new Phoenix project and the proposed TS power plant project. Site managers continue to meet with county leaders to address the impacts of construction on the community of Battle Mountain. and Humboldt County.
Newmont continues to remain committed to being a good corporate citizen by re-investing back into every host community where the company operates. This philosophy of sharing the wealth comes in the form of contributing to local health-care agencies, educational programs, service organizations and more.
Environment
The Nevada operations have been recognized for many environmental accomplishments. The Company is working with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) to better communicate the quality of its environmental management practices. Newmont senior managers and NDEP staff meet quarterly at Newmont’s Nevada mine sites to demonstrate the Company’s commitment to open disclosure and to showcase environmental practices to key stakeholders.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named Newmont Nevada an “Environmental Hero” for its efforts to voluntarily reduce mercury air emissions from its processing circuits. Newmont partnered with NDEP and three other mining companies in an innovative program to cut mercury emissions across the state.
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Eastern Nevada’s reclamation and closure efforts have progressed with the reclamation of more than 468 acres of land disturbed by mining on the Carlin Trend. To prepare some areas for reclamation, the Eastern Nevada Surface Mine group recontoured more than 200 acres of waste rock dumps and leach pads.
Reclamation efforts included fine grading, fertilizing, mulching and seeding. Projects spanned the Carlin Trend from the Rain facility (14 miles south of Carlin) to the Hollister mine (40 miles north of Carlin). In an effort to expedite the establishment of desirable plant species in areas reclaimed, more than 1,700 plant seedlings, mostly shrubs and small trees, were planted.
Significant progress on closure of the Rain Mine, at the southern tip of the Carlin Trend mining district, has been completed. Reclamation and closure activities continued at the Hollister mine as well. Innovative methods of applying amendments and seed to steep slopes are being tested. These methods are reported to be more effective at resisting erosion, as well as promoting faster germination of the plants.
As one of the largest land owners in Nevada, Newmont is committed to being good stewards of the environment. Twin Creeks operations welcome a leadership role in reclaiming the land for future beneficial use. Through open dialogue with stakeholders, Twin Creeks has established a mutual agreement for wildfire protection in the area.
Newmont’s Lone Tree mine/Phoenix project received the Nevada Excellence in Mine Reclamation Award for its work in planning and developing the Copper Basin Mountain Bike Trail System. The award, presented by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, NDEP, Nevada Department of Wildlife and the Nevada Division of Minerals, recognized the company for innovative post-mining land use. The project was a collaborative effort among Lander County, the BLM’s Battle Mountain Field Office and Newmont.
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The Copper Basin area, a few miles south of Battle Mountain, is rich in mining history. In the mid-1990s, Battle Mountain Gold completed reclamation of historic copper leach dumps. Newmont has continued closure and reclamation work in the Copper Basin area. Newmont, along with area mountain bikers and BLM staff, began discussion of an innovative use of reclaimed mine land. Volunteers, including residents of Battle Mountain, BLM employees, residents of Winnemucca, and Newmont employees, constructed the bike trails. Newmont employees constructed a trailhead signboard and contributed several signs. The Copper Basin Mountain Bike Trail was dedicated in June 2003.
The next phase of development will include additional trails over reclaimed waste rock facilities, trails to historic copper-processing facilities, and interpretive facilities concerning mining, wildlife and wildlife habitat. The fully closed and reclaimed Surprise heap leach pad will be traversed by a trail. This portion of the trail will include an interpretative facility explaining the history, mining and processing technology, and reclamation practices associated with the Surprise project.
Significant progress was made in closure and reclamation of areas and facilities no longer needed for mining or mineral processing. At the Lone Tree complex and Phoenix project, more than 263 acres of disturbed land have been reclaimed. At Lone Tree, over 40 acres of waste rock disposal areas were contoured, the surfaces prepared and the ground seeded.
Following are some of the more innovative reclamation milestones that have been reached:
One of Newmont’s primary objectives is to continually improve environmental performance at its mine sties through improved management practices.
Safety
As at any Newmont operation, no consideration comes before employee health and safety. As part of Newmont’s effort to formalize and standardize a risk management program among its global operations, Nevada initiated its own risk management program. It conducted a Team-Based Risk Assessment to assess high-risk areas or activities, and provided formal risk management training. The operation also performed a high-level risk assessment for each of its three main operational areas: surface mining, underground mining and processing.
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It conducted a formal risk assessment for surface fire prevention, and trained personnel in basic fire prevention methods, emergency procedures and use of equipment.
Health and safety initiatives that were implemented included:
Eastern Nevada Operations achieved one million man hours without a lost time accident in 2004. This significant achievement was recognized by the Nevada Mining Association at its annual convention. The operations also took home two safety awards at the 2003 Nevada Mining Convention in 2003, including a first place award to the Carlin East mine in the underground category. In addition, four employees received individual awards for their personal contributions to mine safety. The Mine Rescue Team also participated in the Metal/Non-Metal Mine Rescue Contest in Golden, Colorado.
In 2004 Midas Operations experienced a 21% improvement in the number of employees requiring medical assessment or treatment as a result of a workplace injury or illness. The Positive Attitude Safety System (PASS), an innovative program that emphasizes reinforcement of positive behavior, was instrumental in this success. In 2004 the Midas Operations received the Nevada Mining Association second place award for underground mining operations. In addition, two employees were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to safety in their roles as middle managers and safety professionals.
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The Lone Tree Complex completed 2004 without a lost time accident – the third consecutive year the employees achieved this accomplishment. The Behavior Based Safety program (BBSI), an innovative program that encourages positive and constructive reinforcement of safe behaviors, continues to positively influence safety culture, resulting in reduced accident severity, cost and frequency of accidents. Lone Tree’s operation received the 2004 Nevada Mining Association first place award for most improved safety performance at a large mine and second place for overall safety record. The Mine Rescue Team placed second in a national competition involving 18 national teams.
The Behavior Based Safety Initiative (BBSI) at Twin Creeks reached a three year anniversary mark in 2004. The efforts of the BBSI Leadership Team helped to revitalize the initiative. To encourage positive reinforcement of safe behaviors and constructive feedback for at-risk behaviors, BBSI extended beyond the site and to employees’ families with a holiday BBSI card. Families were able to reflect on safe behaviors in the home and provide feedback. A complimentary program to BBSI called Safety Teamwork and Risk Reduction (STaRR) was introduced to departments in 2004. The STaRR program builds on the strengths of BBSI by not only focusing on behaviors in safety, but also incorporating environment and community relations components. This program has been shared with other Newmont sites and a training session was held with representatives in Uzbekistan.
The Nevada Mining Association awarded Twin Creeks second place in its mine safety competition in the large open pit (more than 300 employees) category. The operation also was honored with the Safe Mine Award for its low Total Reportable Injury Frequency rate, the John Bunch Memorial Award for its commitment to health and safety, and the Mine Rescue Trainer of the Year award for excellence in leadership and training.
The health and safety of employees is a number one objective. Each employee has the right to return home after a productive day at work without injury. The Newmont Nevada operations continue to strive to reduce risk at all of their operations and look for opportunities to apply the integrated management system throughout the business.
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