Social Investment
Addressing sustainability issues means enhancing our relationship with host and partner governments, building consumer confidence in diamonds, and ensuring our activities contribute positively to the livelihoods of both present and future generations.
Detailed accounts of our management systems and performance in this area are presented in the De Beers Group’s Operating and Financial Review 2008, Report to Society 2008, and First Steps in Canada 2008, De Beers Canada’s first Report to Society.
The report to society addresses sustainability issues relevant and material to our key stakeholders in the area of economics, ethics, employees, communities and environment.
This report details our contribution to sustainable development goals across Canada and the communities in which we operate.
They account for how we are “living up to diamonds”.
If you would like your charitable organization to be considered by De Beers Canada, access our social investment policy statement, sponsorship forms and application guidelines.
Key facts from our 2008 Report to Society:
First Steps in Canada
- Exploration in 2008 was primarily focused around the Victor Mine to target previously identified deposits that may extend the life of the mine.
- Successfully transitioned from commissioning into full production achieving more than 1.8 million hours without a Lost Time Injury.
- The Exploration team was awarded the Canadian Mineral Exploration Industry Safety Award for the second year in a row.
- Expenditure in 2008 for all goods, materials and services for:
- Snap Lake totaled $295,870,967 with 60.75% of the total expenditure in the NWT,
- Victor totaled $104,622,000 with 95% of the total supplied by Aboriginal businesses, and Exploration in Canada totaled $2,402,000 for goods, materials and services.
- De Beers Canada contributed $3.6 million in social investment initiatives across the country, focusing on education, training and youth literacy.
- Total payments to the six Aboriginal communities with ratified and signed Impact Benefit Agreements and Working Relationship Agreements was $3,497,000 during 2008. This figure does not include business opportunities for the supply of goods, services and employment.
- In July 2008, De Beers Canada and the Government of Ontario signed an agreement that sees 10% of Victor mine production by value being made available to cutting and polishing operations in Ontario. This builds on similar local supply agreements with the Government of the NWT to make available 10% of production by value from our Snap Lake Mine in the NWT.
