World Leader In Environmentally Safe Mining Methods

Many people 's image of mining focuses on practices of half a century ago - methods long abandoned by mining companies. The realities of modern mining paint a much improved picture.

Ontario 's mining companies spend about $50 million a year on environmental programs and many companies are word renowned for their energy efficiency and environmentally responsible operations. "Fly-in" operations reduce the impact of mining in wilderness areas. Only basic mining and shelter structures are built and workers are flown in for extended shift periods.

In Hagersville, lake trout flourish in groundwater pumped from the gypsum mines. The Canadian Gypsum Company initiated testing of water quality in these trout ponds even before government regulations took effect.

Children play safely in the water beside the Sifto salt mine of Goderich, one of North America 's largest salt mines; and local high school students learn about the environment by conducting watershed monitoring with Placer Dome environmental technologists.

In the early 1900s, open air roasting on clear-cut lands stripped away vegetation in regions around Sudbury. In the last two decades, INCO Limited and Falconbridge Limited spent $1 billion on sulphur abatement programs and now recover an extremely high level of sulphur from the nickel ore. Three million new trees have been planted and Sudbury has received international awards for environmental progress including a United Nations award at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The energy-saving accomplishments of INCO Limited and Falconbridge Limited have earned them Industrial Energy Innovator Awards for Canadian industrial practices protecting the environment.