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Managing Our Impacts

What it means to us

Environmental stewardship is integral to our business and is a key aspect of our Sustainability Strategy.  From water management to biodiversity initiatives, dust management, progressive reclamation, monitoring to assess impacts and more, our commitment to the environment is evident across the full life cycle of our activities. This commitment begins in exploration and continues through to closure. We recognize the importance of a healthy and vibrant environment, and we are committed to doing our part.  Learn more about our Sustainability Strategy here. 

Environmental Performance 

In Action

New Afton works to manage and monitor environmental impacts across our operation. From air quality to soil composition, our team is dedicated to developing a deep knowledge to inform our programs and systems, as well as our overall approach to environmental stewardship.

Environmental management requirements and provisions are mandated in New Afton’s permits, as well as our Cooperation Agreement with Stk’emlupsemc te Secwépemc Nation (SSN). New Afton maintains an Environmental Management Board (EMB) with members from the environment department, SSN, Skeetchestn Indian Band, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

New Afton’s Biophysical Closure Plan is reviewed and updated every five years, and considers all operation-related activities required before, during and after closure to ensure sustainable and responsible land use. New Afton works closely with the provincial regulators to ensure the site is appropriately bonded to achieve these closure goals.

We recycle waste whenever possible to minimize consumption and reduce landfill and greenhouse gas generation. All wastes are treated according to laws and regulations.

Water management and conservation are essential, and we strive to minimize the water drawn from Lake Kamloops through recycling, reuse, and by preventing water discharge from the site.

Air quality is constantly monitored, and dust suppressant is used in areas of high traffic. A dust mitigation plan has been adopted to ensure that the site does not impact negatively on the local air shed.

As part of New Gold’s Climate Action Plan, the operation continues to explore options to reduce energy use on site. New Afton’s ambitious energy-reduction targets have been exceeded for the past seven years. As part of this plan, New Afton’s Energy Management System is ISO 50001 certified.

System and Standards

The basis of our effective environmental program is our ISO 140001-certified Environmental Management System, which guides site-level activities. The system ensures compliance with permits and other commitments, ensures a consistent approach to identifying and controlling environmental risks, identifies and manages specific environmental aspects, and drives continual improvement through regular audits and assessments.

New Afton’s ISO 50001-certified Energy Management System facilitates cost savings, efficient energy consumption, and continued environmental responsibility and stewardship.

As a member of the Mining Association of Canada, New Afton implements the Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols, which are designed to measure the quality and comprehensiveness of management systems. Through robust systems and a values-based approach to managing impacts, New Afton is committed to responsible operations with the sustainability of land, air, and water as priorities.

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