Rosebel Gold Mines N.V.

ROSEBEL GOLD MINES N.V.

SUSTAINABLE GOLD MINING FOR SURINAME

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

| 10

ROSEBEL GOLD MINES

THE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) INFRASTRUCTURE RUNS PROGRAMS AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE AREAS OF SAFETY, ENVIRONMENT, AND COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS.

FUTURE Sustainable Business Magazine speaks to Jerry Finisie, Sustainability Manager overseeing Community, Social Relations, and Environment at Rosebel Gold Mines N.V., about employment creation, community outreach, and working with the Surinamese government.

1 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Rosebel Gold Mines N.V., located in the Brokopondo district of north-eastern Suriname, began production in 2004, and as of last year had produced 4.4 million ounces of gold. Jointly owned by IAMGOLD (95%) and the Government of Suriname (5%), the 170 km2 Rosebel mining concession has eight open pits, and employs over 1,600 Surinamese employees and contractors.

Rosebel’s latest estimates show a mine life of around ten to twelve years from 2018,

with an expected gold production averaging 300,000 ounces per year.

“The concession that we are working on has a long history, which extends well before we got here,” explains Jerry Finisie, Sustainability Manager overseeing Community, Social Relations, and Environment at Rosebel Gold Mines N.V. “In 1992 Golden Star Resources Ltd. purchased the exploration rights for the area. After gold prices dropped, activities in this area was put on

hold until 2000, when the prices started slowly creeping up again. Some environmental studies were initiated at the time, and we decided to take over and complete these studies. Consequently, construction started in 2003, with production beginning in 2004.

Until last December, this used to be the only large-scale gold mine in Suriname. We have recently acquired additional exploration land that is connected to our current area, which increased our life-of-mine considerably, and

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

|2

ROSEBEL GOLD MINES

WE HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING OUR ACTIVITIES ARE NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

thus ensures job security for our employees in the coming years.”

PRIORITIZING SURINAME As a partly-state-owned enterprise, job creation for local people is a priority for Rosebel. “We employ around 1700 people, of whom over 1600 are nationals, and one of the things that we take seriously is job possibilities,” says Mr. Finisie. “Our project is primarily staffed by Surinamese people and we draw contractors from within the Suri-

namese workforce. Several local companies act as suppliers, and over the years we have seen them grow at the same time as us. We have the largest kitchen in the country at our mining site, and are happy to buy the eggs for our breakfast from a local village chicken farmer who was able to start his company from a community project. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) infrastructure runs programs and development projects in the areas of safety, environment, and community livelihoods. Moreover, whenever possible,

we partner with government and civil society to help deliver more effective and sustainable community development.”

Financially speaking, in addition to regular taxes like the 36% income tax, IAMGOLD Rosebel Gold Mines contributes a fair share to Suriname. “The ownership of the mine is shared with the government,” says Mr. Finisie. “They have a 5% share in the overall operation and they receive an additional 2.25% royalty out of the gold produced by the mine. Then 0.25% of that royalty is directly contributed to the Suriname Environmental and Mining Foundation (SEMIF) for improving mining and environmental practices in the country, which is being promoted by the government and us. This is a national foundation, which is open to anyone to apply for funding of projects related to mining, education, and the environment.”

PROTECTING THE REGION The Rosebel property is located within the Amazon rainforest. “The fact that we are

3 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

CONSTRUCTION | FABRICATION | EQUIPMENT RENTAL, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Techman nv

Industrial and Construction Manpower Agency

Serving Suriname’s industrial community since 1995 Certified ISO 9001:2015

Fulfilling the needs of our clients and partners efficiently and effectively in delivering high quality standards.

CCC GROUP ALSO OFFERS: •NDE Services •Emergency services (Available 24/7)

We deliver from the lowest to the highest skills of labor offering standard and tailored made services with our products. We offer the specialized service of negotiation and communication with communities in remote areas.

• EMPLOYMENT SERVICES • BUILDING and PAINTING • CONSTRUCTION FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Pierpontweg 81, Dijkveld District Of Wanica Suriname,South America Phone: +597-484455/+597-485867 | Fax: +597-485936 | Email: techman@sr.net

+597-323400 CCCGROUPINC.COM/SURINAME

83-Komet_CCCG-0071_SURINAME_A4_AD-R2.indd 1

• CIVIL WORKS • ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • INSTALLATION SERVICES

10/11/17 2:58 PM

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

|4

ROSEBEL GOLD MINES mining in such a diverse nature area makes us extra aware that we should adhere to the highest possible standards,” says Mr. Finisie. “We of course adhere to ISO guidelines. We have continuous programs with our colleagues to enhance knowledge and expand our joint efforts to operate an environmentally sound and safe mine.

More specifically, we have an environmental department, which is responsible for ensuring our activities are not negatively impacting the environment. A national environmental law, which would also regulate mining impacts, is still in development.

Because there are limited national guidelines, we follow international best practice codes very closely. For example, we have a closed circuit so there is no water from the mine itself flowing into the surrounding environment. There are also industrial hygiene programs that we are running specifically for this area.”

“Since Suriname is an environmentally intact region, both the government and Rosebel Gold Mines are focused on ensuring minimal impacts,” elaborates Mr. Finisie. “The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) created a set of standards in Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM), stating that companies who signed up to be part of it had to abide by their tools and indicators, and demonstrate an appropriate amount of care

5 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

for the local environment, including specifics such as health and safety, biodiversity, sustainability, and the community. IAMGOLD is one of the few mining companies that applies TSM to its non-Canadian operations, such as here at Rosebel and other IAMGOLD sites worldwide. We signed up to this protocol and aim to perform better every time, holding ourselves to the highest of standards.”

COMMUNITY OUTREACH In addition to environmental protection, community outreach is central to the way Rosebel Gold Mines does business. “Since we began construction, we have been building our relationships with the surrounding community,” says Mr. Finisie. “We’re creating infrastructure in a way that gives local people ownership over the platform through which we communicate. We have at least two

• Investigations & Intelligence • Close Protection (VIP) Services • Technical Security Solutions • Offsite Alarm & CCTV Monitoring • Alarm Monitoring and Response • Fleet Management and Asset Tracking • International Risk & Loss Prevention Management Services • Physical Security and Manned Guarding Services: - Mining Security; - Oil and Gas Security - Banking and Hospitality Security - Residential Security - Event Security - Diplomatic Security Services - Crowd Control • Security Training Center

Mozart Security Services has established itself as the leading Private Security Service Provider in Suriname through the combined and traceable experience of more than 35 years in the rendering of quality, effective, comprehensive integrated security solutions in the Caribbean market.

This positions Mozart Security Services to provide the following service offerings through the application of our range of integrated security solutions to meet the ever changing security environment of our clients.

Leaders in High Quality and Reliable Training, Inspection & Consulting Services • • • • • • •

Heavy Equipment Safety & Operation Training

Crane Safety & Operation Training Rigging & Signaling Training Arial Work Platform Safety & Operation Training Crane & Lifting Equipment Certification Inspections Fall Protection Training & Inspections

Workplace Safety Training & Inspections

info@shebs.org +597 8101739/ +597 8795119 Costerstraat 96, Paramaribo, Suriname.

www.shebs.org

Quality, Efficiency, Safety.

We specialize in the highest quality service, providing you with comfortable, safe transportation throughout Suriname.

Always on time, every time

Address: Bazalstraat # 119 T: 452 603 | E: info@mozartnv.com

www.mozartnv.com

Mozart Security Services

T: 458000 / 458887 | F: 450190 | E: leonstransport@yahoo.com

INTERFARM N.V. is one of the most reliable foodservice distributors and ship chandlers in Suriname. We have wide experience in provisions and special supplies for the offshore and mining industries. Service, quality and food safety are top priority for INTERFARM N.V. and we aim at all time to provide first-rate, costumer-friendly foodservice for our customers in Suriname. When it comes to food safety, we meet the most stringent requirements. We recently obtained our HACCP certificate and we have fully integrated the HACCP system into our daily operations.

INTERFARM N.V. has teamed up with Ecolab to offer innovative products and systems, state-of-the-art technology and a global knowledge base. Together, Ecolab and INTERFARM N.V. can provide incomparable products and services across a wide range of sectors including hotels and restaurants, commercial cleaners and laundries, healthcare facilities and food processing plants.

SURINAME’S #1 FOOD DISTRIBUTOR AND SHIP CHANDLER

We are the sole representative agent in Suriname for: • Lavazza

• McCain International

• Yellow Tail

• Ecolab

• Certified Angus Beef

• American Hotel Register

Dr. J.F. Nassylaan #117A Paramaribo, Suriname • South America Tel: (597) 521035 • Fax: (597) 521344

www.interfarmnv.com SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

|6

ROSEBEL GOLD MINES meetings per month with communities for them to make requests for support or give us feedback. Our Community Relations programs focus mainly on education, health and income generation. These programs aim to generate effective sustainable development that will support the long-term growth of successful communities in Brokopondo far beyond the closure of our operations. The rural nature of the area requires us to make substantial investments in basic infrastructure. We have therefore been building schools as one of our priorities, as well as updating existing buildings, training teachers, supporting the schools in terms of transportation, and teaching students in terms of practical skills, such as public speaking.”

This educational component is the centerpiece of Rosebel’s approach to CSR. “We not only have our 1600-plus national employees, we also have a new generation growing up in communities around the mine,” says Mr. Finisie, who grew up in one of those communities himself and is passionate about education opportunities and guidance. “Education is key for them to connect with their future. We run, for example, a ‘dropout’ program to get kids to find their passion, as well as a full scholarship program for high-performing students from the communities who need to move to the capital city, Paramaribo, to advance their

7 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

educational careers. The scholarship not only covers tuition but also ensures those students have somewhere to live, buys them books and school appliances, and gives them access to tutoring – basically all things they need to help them succeed.”

“Our technical support has shown to be invaluable, as well as the social programs we run to help these young adults adapt to the city lifestyle,” says Mr. Finisie. “It is quite a change for those that move from rural areas into the city. Our program helps them to learn basic life skills like budgeting,

expressing your opinion, and presenting yourself. Our priority throughout these programs are the technical-oriented studies, since most of the available jobs in rural Suriname are in the technical fields, and as a developing country, technical skills need to be supported and promoted. To support basic needs in our direct communities and guarantee health services, we joined with the Government of Suriname and Project C.U.R.E. in a health project supplying medical products and services to all health centers in the Brokopondo district and

one hospital in Paramaribo. Next to this, we are now shifting to projects developing income-generating initiatives.”

At Rosebel and throughout Brokopondo, Rosebel Gold Mines partners with local stakeholders to enable sustainable income generation through employment and supply chain benefits. “One initiative has included heavy equipment training for young professionals in nearby villages to help them build the skills needed for employment in the mining sector,” says Mr. Finisie. “Some of our other projects have included the construction of a brick factory that supports the construction of local infrastructure, including local schools and a community centre, and a production facility that supplies fisherman and other locals with a dependable source for ice. Rosebel will continue to support programs that best empower our local communities and generally contribute to an improved standard of well-being in the region.”

SUSTAINABLE VISION Rosebel Gold Mines is currently preparing for a new mining project. “We are develop-

ing a new satellite pit 25km southwest of our current location,” says Mr. Finisie. “We plan to start production by the end of 2019 and are currently amidst of the licensing processes with the government. The new project would guarantee a longer stay of our operation in Suriname. This gives us the opportunity to enhance our existing relationships and expand our sustainable investments. We have developed a 5MW solar farm, the first of its size in the country, that enables us to reduce our expenditure on energy and improve our environmental impact, as well as increase our productivity.

Projects like this, which are mutually beneficial, are things we will continue to explore in the future.” This solar farm will be handed over to the Surinamese government after Rosebel Gold Mines concludes their mining activities in the area.

“We are very proud of the way our future looks today, and we also have a strong connection with our host community.” says Mr. Finisie. “As a result of this connection, we have been rated AAA for our community outreach by MAC. It’s a big win for the company, our employees, the communities,

suppliers, and the Government of Suriname.

Rosebel Gold Mines is one of the biggest players in the gold mining industry in Suriname. Part of what makes us unique is our commitment to continually strive to reach the highest standards in health and safety, minimize our impact on the environment, and work co-operatively with our host communities. Since adopting the Zero Harm Vision in 2008, we continuously seek to add rigor to our health, safety, and sustainability practice, building on the challenges and successes of the past. We know achieving Zero Harm is not only a vision but an ongoing journey which we continue in partnership with our internal and external stakeholders.” c

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE

|8

www.iamgold.com

SUSTAINABLE

B U S I N E S S

M A G A Z I N E

SBM Media Ltd, The Henderson Business Centre, 51 Ivy Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 8BF, UK T: +44 (0)1603 516519 E:mail: info@sustainablebusinessmagazine.net www.sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

9 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MAGAZINE