Air Quality

A significant environmental issue for a number of our operations is local air quality with respect to particulate matter or dust. Dust can be generated by a number of activities including blasting, trucking, ore crushing and conveyor systems as well as from wind erosion of stockpiles and tailings impoundments. Minimizing the amount of dust that is released from activities such as these is critical. The management of dust can be particularly challenging in arid climates such as at our operations in Chile. Efforts and activities undertaken to minimize dust levels at our operations and in nearby communities include:

• Adjusting blasting practices when winds are unfavorable;
• Applying sealants to material piles and roadways;
• Using water sprays on roadways and while handling dusty materials;
• The use of road sweepers and washing;
• Cover systems for trucks and rail cars;
• Storing and handling materials in buildings where feasible;
• Cover systems (domes) over coarse ore stock piles, and 
• Ventilated conveyor systems and buildings with dust capture.

Air quality is regularly monitored at all of our operations. This can include advanced, real-time, computerized particulate monitors, high-volume monitors which sample air over a 24-hour period, or dust fall jars which are a simple and effective means of assessing dust levels over longer time periods. In addition, weather stations are also typically in place and allow us to determine the relationship between dust levels and winds and precipitation. All of this data is used to assess air quality and to help identify improvement opportunities and to assess the effectiveness of those improvements.

Air Emissions

Each year, our Canadian sites report to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). Air emissions by type are listed in the table below: