Goldcorp's 2017 sustainability performance highlights included achieving zero fatalities during the year and improving the company's safety performance overall. Over the year, Goldcorp's all injury frequency rate (AIFR) declined by 37% and the company reduced its lost time injury frequency rate (LTFR) by 17%.
The miner also developed and implemented the Goldcorp Sustainability Performance Index (SPI) to monitor and measure performance in key sustainability areas (safety & health, environment, community relations and security) at all operating sites, as well as developing a multidisciplinary diversity and inclusion strategy, which outlines actionable steps to advance Goldcorp's inclusive working environment.
It contributed approximately US$9.94 million in cash and US$6.98 million in-kind to local communities in the form of donations, community investments, sponsorships and infrastructure improvements.
In addition, the company implemented a risk integration project, which included updates to the corporate risk governance framework, the roll-out of a centralised risk management system and sustainability impact considerations.
New talent development opportunities were also launched, including a redesigned StepUP leadership programme and roll-out of a new future leaders programme. Both programmes reinforce Goldcorp's ongoing commitment to supporting employee development at every stage of their career.
An employee opinion survey was used to identify specific areas to improve employee engagement. Each site/office is now working on an action plan designed to enhance the employee work experience.
Goldcorp also introduced a water accounting framework, which defines the targets, milestones and success criteria of Goldcorp's Towards Zero Water (H2Zero) initiative.
In 2017, the company said it achieved greenhouse gas emission (GHG) savings of approximately 100,000 tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to taking approximately 21,000 cars off the road for a year.
In line with this, Goldcorp announced Canada's first, fully electric underground mine at Borden, which will eliminate the use of diesel fuel and propane gas.
Furthermore, the miner has commenced significant reclamation work at Guatemala's Marlin mine, the second mine in the world decommissioned and verified under the Principles & Standards of Practice of the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMC). Goldcorp's El Sauzal mine was the first one.
Brent Bergeron, executive vice-president, corporate affairs and sustainability, commented: "Innovation, consultation and partnerships are cornerstones of our sustainability strategy, and underscore sustainability initiatives that are fully integrated with our business drivers.
"We are pleased to see that ongoing efforts to build trust and constructive working relationships with our host communities are delivering sustainable value - long-term social and economic benefits that make a positive difference in areas where we operate."
Goldcorp's 2017 Sustainability Report is independently assured and follows the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the International Council on Metals & Mining (ICMM).
The report is available here.
