Welcome to Resolution Copper Mining's 2009 Sustainable Development Report, a snapshot look at how we measure and manage our efforts to operate in environmentally, economically and socially responsible ways. We believe all of our stakeholders have the right to straight forward, accurate and transparent information about our project, and we hope you find this report valuable.
At Resolution Copper, we know that business success is measured by much more than the financial bottom line. That's why we set clear targets, create detailed plans to guide our contributions to the economic, environmental and social well-being of our host communities and regularly measure our progress.
2009 was a year of challenge and progress.
Our first priority is the health and safety of Resolution Copper's employees and contractors. We were pleased with our 2009 performance in this area.
- In 2009, Resolution Copper received a Sentinels of Safety award for occupational safety from the Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration and the National Mining Association.
- In addition, we completed construction of the #10 shaft headframe ahead of schedule and successfully transitioned from surface preparation to construction of the shaft with no lost-time injuries.
We made important strides in designing and developing an environmentally sound project.
- We renewed our ISO 14001: 2004 certification which validates the success of our work to achieve and maintain environmental excellence.
- We also began the process of removing naturally accumulated groundwater from the historic mine near our project. That water is then treated and tested for quality and used to provide irrigation for Arizona's agricultural industry.
- However, we were disappointed that in response to the global recession and the need to carefully manage costs, we had to pause our work to rehabilitate land affected by previous mining operations and reprioritize our work plans. Our work in 2009 was focused on engineering design and seeking the necessary permit approvals through Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
We forged meaningful community partnerships and made important contributions to local organizations in 2009.
- We awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students, partnered with Arizona State University to bring science instruction to Superior's seventh and eight graders and sent area teens to Anytown Arizona Summer Leadership programs.
- Our employees continued participation in construction of the Arizona Trail and we committed to an ongoing partnership with Audubon Arizona to protect the state's unique native bird species.
- Community Bridges, Pinal County Justice Foundation, Superior Substance Abuse Coalition and the Coolidge Chamber of Commerce were among the non-profit organizations that received financial support from Resolution Copper Mining.
With the launch of our Secure Arizona's Future web site along with associated outreach efforts on YouTube and Facebook, we built awareness of the project and created new channels for open, transparent communication with and participation by our stakeholders.
Our project continued to make an important impact on the economic well being of the Copper Triangle region.
- 50 percent of our contractors came from Superior and the surrounding area.
- Of the $85 million spent on the project a considerable percentage was spent on local purchases of goods and services. While this significant amount made a meaningful difference to the community ... our local spending was down 63 percent year on year as we trimmed expenses in the wake of the global economic downturn.
We did a great deal of work in our ongoing effort to secure passage of the Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act which would give Resolution Copper access to the land needed to move forward with an environmentally responsible project and realize significant job creation and economic benefits for the community.
- In February, Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl introduced new land exchange legislation in Congress.
- In June 2009 we joined Arizona Senators Kyl and McCain and Superstition Area Land Trust Executive Director Rosemary Shearer to testify before the Senate sub-committee on Forests and Public Lands that the proposed land exchange bill would provide jobs and sustainable economic development for Arizona, protect the surrounding environment and produce copper vital to an increasingly environmentally-friendly national economy.
- Senator McCain and Representative Ann Kirkpatrick along with the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, Ken Salazar, toured the site and met with community members.
- In December we made additional changes to the bill to address stakeholder concerns and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved and reported out of committee a version of the bill that will be sent to the Senate for consideration and a vote.
Despite this progress we were unsuccessful in achieving passage of this important piece of legislation. This was our biggest disappointment in 2009.
Looking forward to 2010, we will continue our work to advance the legislation through Congress. We will continue to work on the critical engineering and data collection aspects needed to keep the project moving forward and we will continue to share information with our stakeholders. Most important we will continue to listen.
At Resolution Copper we believe sustainable development can best be achieved through strong partnerships. In the coming year we'll continue to work closely with local businesses and business leaders, citizens living in our local communities, with non-profit organizations whose ongoing work strengthen the fabric of our community, and with the organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting our natural surroundings. And together we'll build a strong and healthy economy, community and environment.
Thank you for your interest in Resolution Copper and our Sustainable Development Report. We value your input and feedback. We invite you to contact us with your comments and suggestions via the contact information provided in this report. For updates about our ongoing decisions and progress visit our website, SecureArizonasFuture.com, and our Issues Brief newsletter.
