Thirteen large, Canadian mining companies have reduced emissions of 12 major substances by 43% and have pledged to reduce the discharges by 71% by the end of the decade.
The companies, members of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), account for 83% of Canada’s base metal production and are part of a larger group of companies that has voluntarily accepted the Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET) challenge to reduce emissions to air, water and land. The ARET initiative was launched by a coalition of various industrial sectors, health and academic associations and federal and provincial governments.
MAC, an industry lobby group, says in its report Voluntary Emissions Reductions: the Mining Industry and the ARET program that such co-operative, voluntary programs can be more effective than the current regulatory approach. These programs allow companies to plan more efficiently, thus allowing for a satisfactory balance between environmental protection requirements and competitive economic performance.
Canadian exports of minerals and metals in 1993 (the latest year available) were valued at $26.13 billion, representing 14.8% of total Canadian exports. In 1993, mining contributed 4% of the country’s gross domestic product.
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