2007 Sustainable Development Report

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  • About Resolution Copper
  • Sustainable Development: An Explanation
  • Stakeholder Assurance Review
  • Message from the President | The Land Exchange
  • 2007 Achievements and Challenges
    • Achievements
    • Challenges
  • Resolution Project Profile
    • The Resolution Project
    • Project Status
    • How We Operate
    • Resolution Project Development Steps | Pre-feasibility Study Update
  • Business Profile
    • Sustainable Business Development
    • Project Planning
    • Employee Training
    • Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Systems
    • Support of SD Policies and Regulatory Compliance
    • Government Affairs
  • Sustainable Development Performance/Targets
    • 2007 Sustainable Development Scorecard
    • Resolution Copper: 2008 Sustainable Development Targets
  • Social Well-Being
    • Safety First
    • Saftey Programs
    • Workforce Profile
    • 2007 Workforce Demographics
    • Employee Survey
    • Community Data
    • Social Well-Being
    • Consulting with Stakeholders
    • Attitudes Toward the Mine: 2007 Copper Triangle Stakeholders Survey/Result Highlights
    • Environment Is Top Concern of Those Surveyed
    • Other Concerns and Complaints
    • Philanthropy and Community Investment
    • Community Engagement
    • Engaging with RCM Stakeholders - 2007
  • Economic Development
    • 2007 Highlights
    • Hiring Locally
    • Corporate Philanthropy
  • Environmental Stewardship
    • Care and Concern
    • Mining Approach
    • Graphic Overview of Block Caving
    • ISO 14001:2004 Certification Achieved
    • Rehabilitation Process
    • 2007 Environmental Incidents
    • Tailings Management
    • Water Management
    • MARRCO Railroad Endures
    • Environmental Impact Study
    • Environmental Partnerships/Environmental Highlights
    • Land Exchange of Critical Importance
  • Reader's Survey

Message from the President

At Resolution Copper Mining, sustainable development is core to the way we conduct business. It’s about striking a balance between business goals and corporate contributions in three key areas: the environment, social responsibility and economic prosperity. This report is one of the ways we share our sustainable development goals, successes and challenges with stakeholders. For example, you’ll learn about the steps we take to ensure the health and safety of our workers, the ways in which we partner with and support local communities, and the process by which we govern an ethical approach to business.

2007 was a year of new opportunities and some disappointments for Resolution Copper Mining. In June, we reached 500 days and nearly 800,000 labor hours without an injury resulting in time lost on the job. This milestone was complemented by the efforts of one of our primary contractors, Cementation, whose workers reached 100,000 hours without a lost-time injury. Sadly, however, we lost a drilling contractor from another company in a fatal on-the-job accident last fall. This loss served as a further reminder that safety must be paramount in everything we do.

We are proud of our progress on the environmental front. During 2007, employee efforts across the company resulted in ISO 14001:2004 certification of our Environmental Management System. ISO 14001 is the recognized global standard for achieving environmental excellence, and involves a rigorous audit and maintenance program to ensure ongoing compliance. We also advanced the clean-up work at our Superior, Arizona, site, not only restoring lands disturbed by previous mining operations, but also supporting the local economy by using local independent contractors. Using a “green” approach, we remodeled the former Magma Hospital (renamed the Verde Building) to become our corporate headquarters in Superior. The building restoration includes environmentally friendly materials and incorporates energy and water-efficiency systems.

Our aim is to be always respectful of local community concerns. In 2007, we worked collaboratively with Superior leaders and residents, as well as the Arizona Department of Commerce, to further economic regeneration and diversification. We have worked closely with several environmental organizations and government agencies seeking solutions to land use and water management issues in the Lower San Pedro River area. We collaborated with members of the climbing community to identify locally suitable climbing domains to replace areas where they currently climb in and around Oak Flat. We also have a recreational climbing license in place with the Access Fund, a national advocacy organization.

Unfortunately, the San Carlos Apache Tribe continues to voice opposition to our mine development efforts, and we have been unable to open a two-way dialogue. We will, however, continue to seek ways to minimize our environmental footprint and address any cultural issues of concern to Native communities.

The Land Exchange

For a variety of reasons, the legislative process involving an exchange of lands needed for our mine to be developed has taken longer than we expected. This delay is impacting our project schedule and, unfortunately, the related economic and societal benefits we provide. Working with stakeholders and legislative representatives, we remain committed to driving the bill through the US Congress, and are hopeful it will be passed in 2008. We appreciate the continuing strong support for our project from local communities and many other stakeholders, and we urge you to communicate that support to your local, regional, state and congressional officials at this point in time.

In addition to sharing our sustainable development goals and performance with you, this report is intended to provide useful information on how we approach mining in the 21st century. Our intent is to discuss the Resolution Project in a way that is understandable and informative, whether or not you have had direct experience with mining. Finally, once you have read this report, I invite you to share your opinion and feedback so that we can continue to improve our reporting in future years. A reader’s survey is included at the end.

Sincerely,

David Salisbury
President
Resolution Copper Mining, LLC

View the pdf version here.