e3 Plus - A Framework for Responsible Exploration
On November 6, 2008, Avalon announced the implementation of a formal policy concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the form of "e3 Plus - A Framework for Responsible Exploration" developed by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC). These principles and guidelines are environmental best practice for the exploration industry as well as helping improve the social performance of exploration companies and reduce the risks to their projects. e3 stands for "Environmental Excellence in Exploration".
Avalon believes that good social and environmental practice is good business as well as being consistent with its goal to become a producer of the rare metals and minerals. Now that the rare metals and minerals have a vital role in empowering clean technology and energy efficiency for today's sustainability-focused society, applying the principles and guidelines of e3 Plus provides a sound foundation for Avalon's subsequent actions as it moves toward bringing its projects to production.
The eight (8) Principles for Responsible Exploration are:
- Adopt responsible governance and management
Objective: To base the operation of exploration on sound management systems,
professional excellence, the application of good practices, constructive
interaction with stakeholders, and the principles of sustainable development.
- Apply ethical business practices
Objective: To have management procedures in place that promote honesty,
integrity, transparency and accountability.
- Respect human rights
Objective: To promote the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration
of Human Rights by incorporating them into policies and operational procedures for
exploration.
- Commit to project due diligence and risk assessment
Objective: To conduct an evaluation of risks, opportunities and challenges to
exploration, and prepare strategies and operational plans to address them before
going into the field.
- Engage host communities and other affected and interested parties
Objective: To interact with communities, indigenous people, organizations, groups and
individuals on the basis of respect, inclusion and meaningful participation.
- Contribute to community development and social wellbeing
Objective: To have measures in place which support the social and economic
advancement and capacity building of communities whose lives are affected by
exploration while respecting the communities' own vision of development.
- Protect the environment
Objective: To conduct exploration activities in ways that create minimal
disturbance to the environment and people.
- Safeguard the health and safety of workers and the local population
Objective: To be proactive in implementing good practices for health and safety
performance in all exploration activities and seek continual improvement.
To read in full e3 Plus: A Framework for Responsible Exploration Principles and Guidance, please go here.
To read Avalon's news release from November 6, 2008, please go here.
