Eldorado Gold Corporation, trading as TSX: ELD and NYSE American: EGO, has announced a significant achievement for its Lamaque Complex located in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The mining operation has been honored with the prestigious Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Gold Leadership Award by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). This recognition celebrates the facility's exceptional performance in responsible mining practices, marking a milestone in the company's sustainability journey.
Highest Sustainability Rating Achieved
The TSM Gold Leadership Award is reserved for mining operations that attain Level AAA across all applicable TSM performance indicators. This represents the highest possible rating within the framework and is subject to verification by independent external auditors. The Lamaque Complex successfully earned Level AAA ratings in its relevant indicators, demonstrating excellence in sustainability practices throughout its operations.
Notably, this award is a rare distinction within the mining industry. Only five other facilities have received this recognition to date, and the Lamaque Complex represents the first recipient since 2020. The achievement underscores Eldorado Gold's commitment to maintaining world-class environmental and social standards at its Quebec operations.
Leadership Recognition and Company Commitment
George Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Eldorado Gold, expressed pride in the accomplishment, stating, "Receiving the TSM Gold Leadership Award for our Lamaque Complex is a tremendous honour for Eldorado Gold. This recognition reflects the dedication of our employees and our unwavering commitment to responsible mining in Québec and across our global operations."
Burns emphasized that TSM protocols are integrated into Eldorado's Sustainability Integrated Management System (SIMS), which establishes company-wide standards for health, safety, environmental management, social performance, and security. The SIMS framework, first launched in early 2021, aligns with internationally recognized standards including TSM and undergoes regular review to incorporate evolving best practices.
Collaborative Achievement and Community Engagement
Sylvain Lehoux, Vice President for Canada at Eldorado Gold, highlighted the collective effort behind the award. "This award belongs to our entire team, as well as our local partners and communities of interest who help guide our work and decisions," Lehoux remarked. "This recognition reflects the care our employees take every day to operate safely, ensure a healthy environment, and work collaboratively with our local communities."
Lehoux noted that the journey toward this achievement began during the earliest development phases of the Lamaque mine, representing a multi-year commitment to sustainable practices and community relationships.
Rigorous Evaluation Standards
The TSM performance assessment occurs on a three-year cycle and evaluates operations against comprehensive environmental and social standards. Key areas of evaluation include climate change mitigation, water stewardship, tailings management, Indigenous and community relationships, safety and health protocols, biodiversity conservation, and crisis management preparedness.
Eldorado Gold applies TSM protocols across all its global mining operations, with Canadian facilities required to maintain MAC membership and adhere to these standards as part of their operational framework.
Industry Recognition and Significance
Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, commented on the award's significance, stating, "The Gold Leadership Award represents the best of the best when it comes to exemplary responsible practices and strong commitments to environmental and social performance."
Gratton emphasized the mining industry's critical role in providing minerals and metals essential for economic development, national security, and technological advancement. "It is essential that they are produced to the highest standards in the world, including through TSM," he added, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in modern mining operations.
The award was presented during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Conference in Toronto, where Eldorado Gold representatives including Christian Milau (President), George Burns (CEO), Sylvain Lehoux (VP & Country Manager, Canada), Valerie Gourde (Regional Director, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development), and Jennifer Prospero (Senior Director, Sustainability) accepted the recognition alongside MAC representatives.
