AEM - AR05


Environment, Health and Safety

	Throughout our many years at LaRonde, Agnico-Eagle's actions have been guided by a commitment to the health and well-being of employees and the natural environment, and a concern for the vitality of the communities in which we live and work. The result is a distinctive corporate culture, and a set of operating practices and policies designed to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As the company expands, we intend to apply these same practices and policies to our new operations in Canada and internationally.

	Agnico-Eagle subscribes to the principle of sustainable development in mining. While mining cannot occur without an impact on the surrounding natural environment and community, we focus on limiting our environmental footprint while creating shareholder and societal value. Safety Agnico-Eagle places the highest priority on the safety of our employees and independent contractors. We take great pride in our proactive safety programs that prepare people for any situation. In 2005, we maintained the high standard of health and safety performance that has earned us a reputation for being one of the safest mines in Quebec. The LaRonde mine has now completed more than 14 consecutive months without a single lost-time injury. The 24 volunteers who make up our first-rate mine rescue team embody the idea that our people are always watching out for one another – and for people in other mines as well. In 2005, the team won the prestigious annual Quebec mine rescue competition. Environment Agnico-Eagle employees strive to conduct all mining operations using environmental best practices, and to meet or exceed every environmental regulation that governs the company's exploration, mining and milling activities. In 2005, we continued to optimize the new water treatment plant at the LaRonde mine. This high-tech biological treatment facility represents the final stage in a series of treatments designed to ensure that water released back into the environment meets all applicable provincial and federal water quality standards. Because the new plant utilizes a unique and state of the art technology, optimization has involved extensive analysis and testing. While the plant is being optimized, a number of alternative water treatment technologies have been evaluated and factored into the company's water management plans. Through the year, we also developed a new approach to tailings dike construction that uses the waste rock generated by the mining operation. In addition to its environmental benefits, this approach is simpler and more cost-effective than traditional construction methods. Environmental awareness presentations are delivered to all employees, so that they understand the company's environmental policy and the role they are expected to play in achieving good environmental stewardship. Beyond its operations, Agnico-Eagle supports the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's "Environmental Excellence in Exploration (E3)," which aims to encourage the highest levels of environmental care and social engagement during mineral exploration. Through the application of E3 standards at our exploration properties, Agnico-Eagle teams take measures to minimize the environmental impacts of their work.


	Some members of Agnico-Eagle's mine rescue team.

	Environmental Policy It is the policy of Agnico-Eagle to protect the environment, public health and safety, and natural resources by conducting operations in an environmentally sound manner while pursuing continuous improvement in our environmental performance. To achieve these goals, we are committed to: Assessing the potential environmental impacts of all new undertakings with the objective of minimizing them Designing and operating our facilities to ensure that effective controls are in place to minimize the risks to health, safety and the environment Maintaining emergency response plans to minimize the impacts of unforeseen events Directing professional environmental staff to plan and direct environmental compliance programs and to assist in training and education activities Ensuring that environmental factors are considered in the purchase of equipment and materials Ensuring that contractors operate according to our environmental policy and procedures Complying with all applicable environmental laws and regulations Communicating with employees, the public, government agencies and other stakeholders on activities involving the environment, health and safety Regularly verifying environmental performance and implementing any required corrective action Minimizing the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste and ensuring proper disposal of all wastes Implementing measures to conserve natural resources such as energy and water Rehabilitating sites in accordance with regulatory criteria and established timeframes