2007 Full Report - Kinross Gold

Reaching a LandmarkAgreement inWashington StateKinross recently reached anagreement regarding theBuckhorn mine with a localgroup that had opposeddevelopment of the minefor more than 15 years.The agreement concernedappeals of U.S. state andfederal permits andauthorizations for developingand operating Buckhorn,which had been initiallylaunched by the OkanoganHighlands Alliance (OHA),and more recentlyincluded the WashingtonEnvironmental Council,and the Center forEnvironmental Lawand Policy.In April 2008, Kinrosssuccessfully negotiated asettlement with thesegroups, pursuant to whichall appeals relating to theBuckhorn mine have beendismissed. Under theagreement, Kinross willfund third-partyenvironmental monitoringmeasures, and additionalwetland, habitat andfisheries restoration andimprovement projects inthe Okanogan Highlands.Wherever we operate in the world, we are typically engaged in an ongoing dialoguewith our communities. At Kettle River-Buckhorn, for example, we participate on a localcommunity advisory board that brings together a broad representation of communityvoices to discuss issues of mutual concern. To learn more, see the case study onpage 45. At Kupol, public consultation is central to our community relations programthere. To learn more, see the case study on page 43.Public Consultation: Key Stakeholder IssuesFrom public consultations at our growth projects, the following key stakeholder issueshave emerged that we believe could have an impact on how gold mining is conductedin the future at these mine sites.Kupol Project• Ongoing respect for traditional land use, knowledge and culture associatedwith indigenous peoples alongside economic development and benefits• Ensuring mechanism is in place to enable community participation in economicopportunities beyond local hiring, training and advancementKettle River-Buckhorn• Reducing noise and improving air quality by restricting haul times for trucking to site• Improving dust control and reducing noise through restricted haul times and backupalarm modifications• Providing environmental monitoring measures and funding of additionalwetland, habitat and fisheries restoration and improvement projects in theOkanogan HighlandsParacatu Expansion• Protecting local water resources from potential pollution due to tailingsdam disposal activities• Implementing closure plans for mines and dams• Managing dust generated by mining activities that could reach nearby citiesand populations• Monitoring potential cracks/damage to neighbouring houses arising frommining activities