32 LEXPERT
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2016/17
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WWW.LEXPERT.CA
SOCIAL LICENCE
LOSING YOUR SOCIAL
LICENCE
THE GLOBAL MINING sector is under crushing pressure to slash
budgets for project development just to survive the current cycle of
low metal prices. Yet, while some Canadian mining outfits operating
domestically and abroad are touching the brakes on their corporate
social responsibility programs, most realize completely stopping CSR
programs to save money could be a death knell for current operations
and future development when prices do bounce back.
Toronto environmental lawyer Adam Chamberlain hasn't person-
ally seen mining-sector clients or companies "pushing aside their CSR
initiatives." But, adds Chamberlain, National Leader of the Team
North, Aboriginal Law and Climate Change Groups at Borden Lad-
ner Gervais LLP, with profits down in the sector there's been a disin-
centive to move CSR initiatives ahead at the pace they once did. "at
Despite tough times,
miners can't afford to
gut corporate social
responsibility programs
by Anthony Davis
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK
