ECOLOGO CERTIFICATION
ECOLOGO certification provides credible, third-party verification to a globally recognized and trusted ecolabelling program.
AMEX Exploration is UL ECOLOGO® Certified for Mineral Exploration!
We are very proud to have received UL 2723 ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration companies. We have successfully completed the certification process, which includes audit results, use of the UL ECOLOGO® mark for mineral exploration, and registration in UL’s SPOT sustainable product database. We intend to continue working to promote this certification and its advantages, helping to make it a key objective in our mineral exploration program.
Victor Cantore, Amex Exploration’s president and CEO commented, “Being awarded ECOLOGO Certification is a proud achievement for our whole team. The ECOLOGO certification demonstrates to all our stakeholders, including investors and communities, that a trusted third party has carefully evaluated our operations and procedures to validate that our environmental, social and governance procedures and practices in relation to exploration in Quebec meet or exceed best practices. This certification illustrates our company’s commitment to sustainable and responsible mining.” |
A plan for the future
Amex recognizes that responsible development of mineral resources, has become apriority for the sector. For mineral exploration companies and their service providers, every project needs to be designed and executed byapplying the best social, environmental, and economic practices.
For Amex Exploration, UL 2723 ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration companies promotes a better work environment, motivates employees, improves our appeal as an employer, strengthens strategic planning, and aids in risk management. As studies tend to show, being certified means we could be better prepared for changes to legislation and are likely to have better relationships with stakeholders, which would contribute to the social acceptability of our projects.
The certification process
We began the accreditation process on January 11, 2022, successfully completing it on August 15, 2022. In completing the process, we showed that we met all of the responsible development indicators required to obtain UL ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration.
A team effort
We would like to thank the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) and their coaching program for their collaboration. We greatly appreciate their support and guidance and are grateful for their contribution to the success of our efforts.
ABOUT ECOLOGO CERTIFICATION FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION
The first comprehensive certification for mineral exploration companies and their service providers that features third-party certification of environmental, social and economic practices. Currently offered in Quebec and expanding across Canada and abroad.
OVERVIEW
By its very nature, mineral exploration can disrupt natural ecosystems and local economies and trigger effects in communities. As one of the largest industries in Canada, mineral exploration can have considerable impact on the economy and environment.
Recognizing this, the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) mandated the UQAT-UQAM Chair in Mining Entrepreneurship (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue/Université du Québec à Montréal) to develop a standard to evaluate mineral exploration companies and their service providers on:
- Environmental impact
- Safety of people in the mineral exploration process
- Well-being of impacted communities
- Fair and ethical business practices
- Compliance with applicable legal requirements
- Efficient use of financial resources.
This consensus standard has been adapted by UL, and now companies can pursue ECOLOGO Certification for their mineral exploration activities providing credible, third-party verification to a globally recognized and trusted ecolabelling program, validating their responsible business practices to the market, and demonstrate increased value to financiers and investors.
Through a process that includes on-site visits and thorough documentation review, the ECOLOGO Certification offers mineral exploration companies and their suppliers the visibility they need to identify, address and promote their responsible processes.
Companies are evaluated on the following requirements in the standard:
- Legal Requirements
- Compliance with Sustainable Design principles along the value chain
- Environmental Quality (Efficient use of natural resources, Air quality, Water quality, Soil quality, Respect for sensitive areas and wildlife habitat)
- Quality of Life (Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of local communities, Recognition of the concerns and accommodation of Aboriginal communities, Noise and sensory environment, Quality of visual environment, Health and safety of communities, Respect for cultural heritage)
- Local Investment (Selection of local labour, Selection of local suppliers)
- Work Environment (Occupational health and safety)
- Business Ethics (Corruption prevention, Accountability of executives and managers)
- Transparency and reporting (Information sharing)
- Innovation (Responsible use of technologies)
- Economic efficiency (Efficient use of financial resources)
BENEFITS
ECOLOGO Certification for Mineral Exploration offers mineral exploration companies and their service providers an opportunity to verify their responsible practices and their ability to reduce their impact on the environment and local communities. Certification enables companies to communicate their commitment to the environment, human health, well-being of the community, and fair economic practices to both investors and stakeholders. In addition, the thorough auditing process can provide visibility into a company’s own operations and those of their suppliers – identifying potential problems early, so they can be addressed prior to safety, social or environmental issues. Certified companies can receive additional benefits including marketplace preference, green investment dollars and potential tax reductions.
WHY UL
A trusted name in third party testing and certification for more than 125 years, UL is a science-based testing, inspection and certification company with expertise in developing standards and certifying against those standards. Third-party certifications from UL demonstrate integrity of claims and can add more value to your brand. When your success is at stake, leave nothing to chance—put UL’s vast expertise, thoroughness, broad capabilities, widespread acceptance and world-class reputation to work for you.
Sources and information:
UL ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration
https://canada.ul.com/ulcprograms/explore/
QMEA’s coaching program: