Corporate Responsibility Overview 

Sustainability is a long-term view that requires commitment and awareness during the implementation of important business decisions. Yamana is committed to operating in a socially and environmentally conscious manner and for the betterment of local communities.

To these ends, the Company has adopted codes of conduct that are designed to ensure the health and safety of its personnel and people in local communities and the protection of the environment.

Yamana – Sustainability

Applying social, health and safety and environmental standards and policies to our business operations is the key to sustainability at Yamana. We are committed to balancing the ethical and environmental demands of the market, while responding to the concerns of local communities and stakeholders. For Yamana, sustainability encompasses issues such as reclamation, cultural responsibility, employee best practices, ecological and environmental awareness and economical viability. As a result, we are committed to the following: 

• To follow all the laws of the country and local communities where we operate;
• To maintain best practices for mining, health and safety and the environment;
• To understand and control risks related to safety, the environment, and the community;
• To maintain respectful relationships with the communities in which we operate;
• To operate our business in a highly ethical manner while supporting the Yamana strategy and vision.

The Yamana Management System: Responsible Mining

Yamana is focused on minimizing and controlling risk for both employees and the environment. That’s why, based on the highest international standards, we developed the Yamana Integrated Management System (SYG) - a socio-economic philosophy that strives to achieve exceptional health and safety, environmental, community relationship, and operational practices at all levels of the organization. Yamana follows the best practices of the International Council of Metal and Mining’s Safety, Health, Environment and Community Impact Management (SHEC) protocols.

In addition to SYG, Yamana is putting into place the following protocols:

Environmental Management Systems - ISO 14001:2004:

• An international environmental management standard with environmental management requirements for the creation and implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS).
• Rollout to all operations by end of 2008 and 2009 for new operations.

Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - OHSAS 18001:1999:

• An international occupational health and safety management system specification.
• Rollout to all operations by 2010.
• International Cyanide Management Code.
• A voluntary program for the gold mining industry that focuses exclusively on the safe management of cyanide, cyanidation tailings and leach management.
• Rollout to all operations by end of 2008 and for new operations by 2009.

In a short period of time, Yamana has introduced 84 corporate standards to mining operations based on the best management practices and International Standards as ISO 14001, ISO 18001, and SA 8000, including newly acquired operations. An additional 21 system improvements are slated for implementation in 2008. By the close of 2008, Yamana will implement SYG throughout all operations. We are constantly aiming to improve existing management systems that result in greater health, safety and environmental controls.

Our Communities

Yamana works and lives in communities across North, Central, and South America. We share the air and soil, work with local suppliers, hire local employees and build relationships in the same regions in which we operate. As a result, we listen and value the input from community consultations. We embrace the rich local cultural and economic opportunities. Our community relations practices assure our place amongst the world’s leading gold producers.

In 2007, Yamana conducted Partnership Seminars with the communities around our mining operations. The program accepts proposals to support local education, environmental, cultural, economic, and health projects.

Over the past year, 71 local institutions have attended our Partnership Seminars. From the 81 submissions, Yamana selected 44 project representing a $367,000 investment in creating and supporting sustainability, employment, business, sports and culture in the communities.

Partnership In Action: Creating Sustainable Communities

• At San Andrés in Honduras, the “Open Doors” project has created an opportunity for local leaders to communicate with Yamana at anytime.
• In the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil, Yamana has supported the construction of a new home for senior citizens and a hangar for the development of community projects for the community of Alto da Glória.
• For the community of Bacilândia district and Fazenda Nova, around Yamana’s operations at the Bacilândia mine site in Brazil, the program has supported the construction of a new church, an expansion of the local police station, and the purchase of new uniforms for over 700 students at Tiradentes State School and Alfredo Nasser State School.
• In Goiás, near the Chapada operations in Brazil, the Partnership Seminar program provides financial services that support local sustainable community development. Yamana equipped the local medical centre with X-ray machines, ultrasounds, defibrillators and other necessary medical devises for the communities of Alto Horizonte and Nova Iguaçu.
• At Minera Florida in Chile, a program has been put in place for families to receive a new bathroom financed by Yamana. As well, potable water programs have been created for the three local communities of El Asiento, Alhue, and Talami.
• For the communities surrounding Jacobina in Brazil, Yamana has financed a local bakery, the purchase of an ambulance, and new equipment to combat forest fires. Yamana has also supported the local Rio do Ouro Philharmonic to advance music education.
• At Fazenda Brasileiro in Brazil, Yamana has financed the construction of the Santa Barbara Chapel, a dental clinic and a cultural centre.  
• Working with Local Suppliers

At Yamana we strive to work with local suppliers, and when possible, source local products, equipment and services. Currently, our suppliers are selected under the due diligence of the Safety, Health, Environment and Community Studies and industry standards. Yamana’s goal is to stimulate local economies and create opportunities for employment and business growth. In 2008, we are creating a new supplier standardization and management program.