Learn More
Managing Our Impacts
What it means to us
Environmental stewardship is integral to our business and is a key aspect of our Sustainability Strategy. We understand our approach to the environment is important to the surrounding communities and we incorporate traditional knowledge into our monitoring where possible to ensure we respect the shared knowledge of our partners.
Our environmental policies and adherence to regulations protect our water, air quality, fish and wildlife, migratory birds, human health, site archaeology, heritage, and cultural resources while the mine is active and through closure. In addition to annual compliance reporting to provincial and federal regulatory bodies, we take a collaborative approach to environmental monitoring through the Environmental Monitoring Board, which is made up of community members from surrounding Indigenous Nations and New Gold employees. Learn more about our Sustainability Strategy here.
In Action
Our team works to ensure adherence to regulatory environmental obligations and uses a consistent approach to identifying and controlling environmental risks. Extensive plans are in place to ensure the reclamation and revegetation of the mine site.
- Water management and conservation are essential. We strive to minimize water use through recycling, reuse, and by discharging only clean, treated water from the site. We use reclaimed water from our onsite catchments and ensure that no untreated water is discharged from the site.
- Air quality is constantly monitored, and dust suppressant is used in areas of high traffic. A dust mitigation plan has been adopted to ensure that the site does not impact negatively on the local air shed.
- We recycle waste whenever possible, including office paper, cardboard, aluminum, plastics and batteries, fluorescent lights and used tires, to minimize consumption and reduce landfill and greenhouse gas generation. All wastes are treated according to laws and regulations.
- As part of New Gold’s Climate Action Plan, the operation continues to explore options to reduce energy use on site.
System and Standards
The core of our effective environmental stewardship is our Environmental Management System which guides site activities. Our policies and practices are guided by principles found in the United Nations Global Compact and our operational standards are based on the Mining Association of Canada’s Towards Sustainable Mining Protocols.
Related Stories
-
Aiming for Excellence in Water Management
Managing water as a resource is increasingly being recognized as a significant global challenge. This challenge intersects with other pertinent issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, Indigenous rights, values and interests of the communities in which we operate and human rights. As an active member of the Mining Association of Canada, New Gold supports …
-
Tailings Management Area South Dam Raise
The Capital Projects team at Rainy River is excited to kick off the 2021 Stage 3 dam raise at our Tailings Management Area (TMA). The TMA is an integral part of the operation and is required to be raised yearly to maintain milling operations throughout the mine life. This years’ dam raise will involve raising …
-
Groundwater Monitoring at Rainy River
Groundwater sampling is conducted three times a year from wells located on and around the Rainy River Mine site. The purpose of groundwater sampling is to ensure groundwater levels and quality around the Rainy River Mine remain constant and project activities do not impact groundwater quantity and quality. Sampling a well includes the following steps: …
