Inco - 2004 Social Responsibility Report - Protecting the Environment

Environmental protection is an integral part of our practice and our culture at our Sudbury operations. We continued our work with a range of groups on environmental initiatives throughout 2004.

As an active participant in Earthcare, we continue to partner with the City of Greater Sudbury and other community members to improve the environment, ensure economic viability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to improve the quality of life in the Greater Sudbury area.

We also maintained our support of the Laurentian University Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit, a multi-stakeholder organization with a range of participants including Inco. The unit focuses on ecological research. Among the research conducted to date, the unit has documented significant improvements in water quality as emission reductions have occurred.

ENGAGING OUR STAKEHOLDERS

Environmental stewardship is best served by engaging all our stakeholders. That's a belief we act upon. On an ongoing basis, for instance, we work with governing agencies responsible for setting regulatory limits to contribute to the development of appropriate standards based on quality research.

As well, we work closely with our communities. In 2004, we met with residents of both Copper Cliff and Lively, Ontario to update them on specific issues of concern to their respective communities.

INVESTING IN THE ENVIRONMENT

To date, Cdn. $845 million has been invested in SO₂ abatement at our Sudbury operations. In 2004, we continued to build our fluid bed roaster (FBR) off-gas treatment system to reduce SO₂ emissions in Sudbury. Dave Marshall (right) and FBR Project Environmental Coordinator, Karen Hardy, stand by one of the huge tanks installed in the Weak Acid Treatment Plant.

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We are making significant investments on the environmental front as we work hard to meet public expectations today and anticipate more demanding requirements down the road. In 2004, we continued to build our fluid bed roaster off-gas treatment system to reduce our sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions in Sudbury, bringing our total investment in SO₂ abatement since 1986 to Cdn. $845 million. Meanwhile, we are researching to find the right technical solution for the next phase of SO₂ reduction in Ontario, with the target of a 75 per cent reduction from current emission caps by 2015.

SUDBURY SOILS

2004 marked the fourth year of the five-year Sudbury Soils Study, which was developed to determine whether elevated metal levels in the soils of the Sudbury region pose any risk to human health or the natural environment. Funded by Inco and Falconbridge Ltd., the $4 million (Cdn. $5 million) evaluation is one of the most comprehensive studies of its kind in North America.

As a voluntary community initiative, the study partners include the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), the Sudbury and District Health Unit, the City of Greater Sudbury, Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Falconbridge Ltd. and Inco. Also participating in the process is a Public Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of community volunteers who provide Inco and other study partners with public input on the process and feedback on the study's communications.

As part of the study, data is being analyzed from more than 10,000 soil samples taken from the Greater Sudbury area. Samples were also taken from water and air as well as vegetables from local gardens.

"The interpretation of the data will be followed by a peer review by an independent, international panel of experts," says Glen Watson, an Environmental Biologist with Inco's Environment, Health and Safety Department in Sudbury. "Although we do not expect any soil related health risks, we are committed to abiding by the results of the study and will undertake any remedial action that may be deemed necessary."

TOWARDS A GREENER COMMUNITY

As part of regreening efforts, 250,000 Inco-grown seedlings are planted annually in Sudbury.

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Regreening remains an important and visible part of Inco's environmental stewardship program in Sudbury. Over the last decade, we have spent $2 million (Cdn. $3 million) to lime, fertilize and reseed 3,000 acres of land as part of our aerial regreening program. We have also contributed to the reclaiming of public lands through our support of the Vegetation Enhancement Technical Advisory Committee of the City of Greater Sudbury.

We operate both surface and underground greenhouses to further our goal of returning the area landscape to its natural state. Through this effort, some 250,000 red and jack pine seedlings, which can reach heights of 25 metres, are planted annually.