Yamana has designed programs that minimize our environmental impact while maximizing the sustainability of our environment for future generations. Exploring new programs to reduce our carbon footprint is always a priority. Yamana upholds best practices to manage environmental matters in compliance with local and international legislation.

Key Milestones Achieved in 2011

• A new energy efficiency committee was formed to identify energy consumption reduction opportunities
• Decreases in consumption included: diesel oil nine percent, electric energy three percent, freshwater 27 percent, and non-mineral solid waste generation eight percent

• Environmental construction licenses were issued for the C1 Santa Luz, Ernesto/Pau-a-Pique and Pilar projects in Brazil 

Development Based on Environmental Responsibility

Yamana’s environmental policy is incorporated into all aspects of the mining process, from the exploration stage to decommissioning. The Company’s environmental impact assessment, analysis and management of risks and environmental monitoring and control are all part of the Yamana Management System.

It is Yamana’s goal to continually reduce the consumption of all natural resources.  Our consumption reduction efforts in 2011 resulted in impressive year-over-year reductions of energy, water and diesel consumption and solid waste generation, highlighted by our 27% reduction in fresh water usage. Additionally, we have monitoring and control systems in place for other environmental indicators, including effluent discharge levels and land reclamation, in an effort to further improve our environmental management.

Protecting Biodiversity

Each operation is committed to protecting the environment and has developed various initiatives to preserve biodiversity in surrounding areas. All operations are periodically monitored by specialized professionals starting from the project’s feasibility stage.

Although Yamana does not operate in protected areas, Yamana has two mines adjacent to protected areas or areas that are rich in biodiversity: Jacobina in Brazil and Minera Florida in Chile. Potential risks or environmental impacts as a result of Yamana’s operations are minimized with specific action plans and initiatives, such as air and water quality control and the rationalization of deforestation.

At Yamana,  business and operational decisions are guided by the concern for our environment. Every project we work on has a direct connection with the environment, and every business decision incorporates and assesses Yamana’s environmental impact in a specific region.  The Company is committed to the regional Biodiversity Preservation Program and currently is focused on reforesting efforts for the Chilean wine palm, an endangered species. In 2011 alone, 40,100 seedlings of native species were produced at Minera Florida, and 14,000 were planted as part of our conservation efforts.