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 2010

• With the certification of our newest mine, Gualcamayo, all operating mines have now achieved ISO 14001 certification for their Environmental Management System. 

• Environmental licences were granted at the Mercedes, Ernesto/Pau a Pique, Pilar and C1 Santa Luz development projects. 

• Diesel and water consumption were reduced three percent and 13 percent respectively, compared to 2009. 

• Construction of the Environmental Education Centre began at the Chapada mine.

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 over the past year were successful resulting in impressive year-over-year reductions in energy, water, diesel consumption and solid waste generation.

Air and water monitoring are also a key consideration at all operations.  Yamana’s Air Monitoring Program measures the amount of particles generated in the mining process and seeks to minimize it.  Water is an essential part of the mining process and therefore Yamana is constantly investing in the research of new technologies and processes to increase water recycling and reduce consumption. Each mine makes a significant effort to recycle water and, as a result, in 2009, approximately 81 percent of the water used in our mining process was recycled. The water consumed by the Company is generally sourced from rivers, reservoirs, wells or underground mines and is also accumulated from rainwater in the tailings dams.

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. Yamana is committed to a public/private sector program called Biodiversity Preservation in Cantillana Chile and is focused on the reforestation of the Chilean Wine Palm which once covered the area. Since the beginning of the project, nearly 300,000 seedlings have been produced and planted. Yamana’s goal is to plant an additional 700 hectares over the next 10 years.