Canadian-based gold mining and exploration company, Centerra Gold Inc, has officially joined the Coalition of Energy Efficient Comminution (CEEC) as a new sponsor. Centerra has assets in Canada, the Kyrgyz Republic and Turkey.
Centerra is one of the largest Western-based gold producers in central Asia, and its Mount Milligan mine is the first, large new operation in British Columbia in a generation.
CEEC CEO, Alison Keogh, welcomed Centerra to CEEC’s global network of miners, mining supply companies and researchers working toward more sustainable practices.
“We are thrilled with Centerra’s decision to become a CEEC sponsor. Our sponsors work collaboratively to accelerate energy-efficient, productive mining processes. That’s vital for our industry and communities as we reduce impact, tackle costs and improve shareholder value,” Ms Keogh said.
“As a CEEC sponsor Centerra helps CEEC provide industry with information and tools from experts and grow the network of committed professionals working to accelerate eco-efficient comminution and maximise the potential of their mineral resources and assets.”
Centerra Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Desjardins, praised CEEC for its contributions towards ESG actions in the field and welcomed the opportunity to share information to advance business goals.
“Centerra’s financial and operational objectives are underpinned by a fundamental commitment to ethical and sustainable practices,” Mr Desjardins said.
“Our values are strongly aligned to CEEC’s mission for eco-efficient comminution; environmental, social and governance factors are our foremost priorities as we strive to continually improve the management of our operations.”
Mr Desjardins noted that CEEC offers a pathway to share best practice and innovation in the international mining sector.
“We look forward to collaborating with like-minded organisations on shared challenges such as energy and water use,” he said.
“We see value in sponsoring CEEC and contributing to the network. Not only can we and others in industry access best practice case studies of improvement, it is an avenue for open collaboration and knowledge sharing.”
Centerra produced 783,308 ounces of gold and 3220 tonnes of copper in 2019, making it one of Canada’s leading gold and copper producers.
The company’s major assets include the Kumtor Mine in the Kyrgyz Republic, which has produced more than 12.6 million ounces of gold between 1997 and the end of 2019, and the long life, low-cost gold/copper Mount Milligan Mine in British Columbia, Canada.
The third operating mine, the Öksüt Gold Mine in Central Anatolia, Turkey, poured gold for the first time on 31 January 2020 after just 22 months of construction.
Ms Keogh said with social licence and productivity key priorities for the mining sector, Centerra’s sponsorship and actions towards more sustainable approaches were commendable.
“As a lean, virtual not-for-profit, we thank all our sponsors for their continued support and involvement in driving lower footprint mining. Their ongoing commitment helps CEEC and industry to invest in positive change,” she added.
CEEC, a global not-for-profit registered charity, is funded wholly by sponsorship from the minerals industry: Anglo American, Ausenco, Centerra Gold, CRC ORE, Eriez, FLSmidth, Freeport McMoRan, Gekko Systems, Glencore Technology, Hatch, Hudbay Minerals, Lundin Mining, Magotteaux, ME Elecmetal, Molycop, Newcrest Mining, Newmont Corporation, OZ Minerals, PETRA Data Science, Teck Resources, Thermo Fisher Scientific, TOMS Institute, University of Adelaide IMER, Weir Minerals, and Wheaton Precious Metals.
