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| Published on July 25, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Aya Gold & Silver is a rapidly growing, Canadian-based silver producer with a strong presence in Morocco. Listed on the TSX, the Corporation operates the Zgounder Silver Mine, an underground silver mine located 260km east of Agadir in Morocco. In addition to advancing its Boumadine polymetallic project, Aya Gold & Silver is actively drilling its Imiter bis exploration property located along the prolific Anti-Atlas belt that is host to Zgounder and Managem’s Imiter Mine. |
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| Disclaimer and Forward Looking Statements | |||||||||||||||||||
| Company Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
| Organizational Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
| Name | Aya Gold & Silver | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe nature of activities, brands, products and services |
Aya Gold & Silver's goal is to create shareholder value by generating revenue and growth through its operations and exploration programs. Our experienced team of directors and officers have extensive experience launching and operating precious metals mines around the world. |
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Together with ongoing Zgounder operational improvements, Aya Gold & Silver is focused on extending Zgounder high-grade mineralization through drill programs with the aim of expanding plant capacity from 700 tpd to 2,700 tpd. |
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| Link to Corporate Website | https://ayagoldsilver.com/ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Industry Classification |
NAICS: 2122 Metal ore mining 21222 Gold and silver ore mining |
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| Market Capitalization | $100 Million up to $1 Billion USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| Type of Operations | Primarily production oriented | ||||||||||||||||||
| Company Headquarters | Mont-Royal, Canada | ||||||||||||||||||
| Link to company's statements of: Purpose, Vision, Mission and Values; Sustainability/ESG strategy; previously published Sustainability/ESG performance or reports. (URL) | |||||||||||||||||||
| ESG Accountability | |||||||||||||||||||
| Role and Name of highest authority within company for Environment, Social and Governance strategy, programs and performance. | Benoit La Salle, President & CEO | ||||||||||||||||||
| ESG Reporting Period | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unless otherwise noted, all data contained in this report covers the following period: | |||||||||||||||||||
| From | 2021-01-01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| To | 2021-12-31 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Geographic Scope of Report | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unless otherwise noted, the data in this report covers ESG matters related to the following locations of operations | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| Identify notable exclusions, and reference any existing or planned reports that do or will address these (e.g, assets recently divested or acquired, non-managed joint ventures, specific exploration activities, recently closed sites, etc.) |
Aya Gold & Silver holds five exploration assets located in Morocco and Mauritania. This report focuses on our ongoing operations at the Zgounder Silver Mine. It does not cover exploration sites in Morocco or Mauritania as no exploration was conducted in 2021. |
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Imiter Bis Exploration Project Description Boumadine Exploration Project Description Amizmiz Exploration Project Description |
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| Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify all of the entity's countries of operations that align with the World Bank's list of "Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations" | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Business Operations Scope of Report | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify notable exclusions, and reference any existing or planned reports that do or will address these (e.g, assets recently divested or acquired, non-managed joint ventures, specific exploration activities, recently closed sites, etc.) |
Aya Gold & Silver holds five exploration assets located in Morocco and Mauritania. This report does not cover these exploration sites as no exploration was conducted in 2021. |
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| Mineral Resource Types in Scope | |||||||||||||||||||
| Which of the following mineral resource types are covered by this report |
• Inferred • Indicated • Measured |
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2021 Fourth Quarter Production HighlightsPress Release |
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| Mineral Reserve Types in Scope | |||||||||||||||||||
| Which of the following mineral reserve types are covered by this report |
• Proven • Probable |
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| Currency | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unless otherwise noted, all financial figures referenced in this report are in the following currency | USD | ||||||||||||||||||
| Audit Status | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify the degree to which any inputs of the report are third-party checked: | Self-Declared | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting Practice | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a list of all entities included in the organization’s consolidated financial statements or equivalent documents |
Aya Gold & Silver Inc. (the “Corporation or “Aya”) is a Canadian-based precious metals mining corporation focusing on the exploration, development, production and acquisition of precious metals mining projects. |
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The Corporation is concentrated on producing silver and exploration activities at its flagship project, the Zgounder property. Aya owns 85% of Zgounder Millennium Silver Mine S.A (“ZMSM”), which owns the Zgounder property. The Corporation also owns 85% of the Boumadine polymetallic project and is the sole owner of the permits related to the Amizmiz, Azegour and Imiter Bis properties. All of these properties are located in the Kingdom of Morocco. Following the acquisition of Algold Resources Ltd. (“Algold”) completed on June 11, 2021, Aya owns 75% of the Tijirit project located in Mauritania. Our subsidiaries include: • Compagnie Minière Maya-Maroc S.A. (“CMMM”) • Zgounder Millennium Silver Mining S.A. (“ZMSM”) • Boumadine Global Mining S.A. (“BGM”) • Atlas Gold & Silver S.A.R.L.(“AGS”) • Kanosak (Barbados) Limited (“KANOSAK”) • Algold Resources Ltd. (“Algold”) • Algold Mauritania SARL (“ALGOLD SARL”) • Société Tijirit Recherche et Exploration SARL (“TIREX”) Aya Gold & Silver Financial Reports |
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| Report whether any entity included in the organization’s consolidated financial statements or equivalent documents is not covered by the report |
There are no exclusions related to this report. However, the 2021 ESG report focuses primarily on Zgounder Millennium Silver Mining S.A. (“ZMSM”) as all 2021 operating activities were carried out in the ZMSM concession. |
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| Provide an explanation of the process for defining the report content and the topic boundaries |
Our ESG Report will provide transparent, comprehensive and appropriate content, addressing Aya Gold & Silver's material aspects and impacts, as well as our stakeholders' material topics. |
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| Provide an explanation of how the organization has implemented the Reporting Principles for defining report content |
Our material sustainability topics were determined on the basis of approved GRI methodology. While our identified material topics are key, our wider efforts continue to address topics beyond those in our material section. |
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| Provide a list of the material topics identified in the process for defining report content |
• General Disclosure • Compliance • Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Emissions • Energy • Water and Effluents • Water • Waste • Effluents and Waste • Waste Management • Employment • Labour Relations • Occupational Health and Safety • Workforce Health and Safety • Training and Education • Local Communities • Community Relations • Water Management • Anti-corruption |
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| Report the effect of any restatements of information given in previous reports, and the reasons for such restatements | No restatement | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report significant changes from previous reporting periods in the list of material topics and topic Boundaries |
The 2021 ESG report does not contain any significant changes in the list of material topics and topic boundaries. |
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| If applicable, report the date of the most recent previous report | 2021-06-15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide the contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents |
For questions regarding this report, please contact the following: |
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David Vilder, HSEC Manager, david.vilder@ayagoldsilver.com. |
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| Choose the statement as to whether the organization has chosen the CORE or COMPREHENSIVE options in preparing the GRI aligned report |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: Comprehensive option |
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| If the report has been externally assured, provide: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. A reference to the external assurance report, statements, or opinions. If not included in the assurance report accompanying the sustainability report, a description of what has and what has not been assured and on what basis, including the assurance standards used, the level of assurance obtained, and any limitations of the assurance process |
This is a self-declared report. No external audit has been conducted. |
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| Raw Material Produced | |||||||||||||||||||
| Metals: | 45.378 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Aya Gold & Silver has only one project in operations, the Zgounder Silver Mine, which produces silver. In 2021, The Zgounder Silver Mine produced 1600646 ounces of silver. |
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| Silver (Ag) (tonne) | 45.378 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Finished Product for Sale | |||||||||||||||||||
| Metals: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Silver (Ag) (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Organizational Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a list of externally-developed economic, environmental and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organization subscribes, or which it endorses, e.g., GRI, UN Global Compact |
In 2021, the Corporation was not a member of any associations and did not participate in any external initiatives. |
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For the purpose of this report, Aya Gold & Silver is disclosing information aligned with the following standards: • CDP - Carbon Disclosure Project • GRI - Global Reporting Initiative • GRI Comprehensive - Global Reporting Initiative – Comprehensive • GRI Core - Global Reporting Initiative – Lite • GRI MM Supplement - Global Reporting Initiative - Mining and Metals Supplement • ICMM - International Council on Mining & Metals • IFC - International Finance Corporation - Equator Principles • ISS - ISS & Glass Lewis - Proxy Advisors • ONYEN - Institutional and Investor Questions • OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration • PRI - Principles of Responsible Investing • SASB - Value Reporting Foundation • SASB Modified - Value Reporting Foundation – Modified • UGC - UN Global Compact – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |
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| Strategy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a statement from the most senior decision-maker of the organization (i.e., CEO, chair, or equivalent senior position) about the relevance of sustainability to the organization and its strategy for addressing sustainability (CEO's message for this report) |
As Aya Gold & Silver (“Aya” or “the Corporation”) celebrates its second year of existence, I am proud to share our second Sustainability Report with you. |
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The report, which covers our performance in 2021, follows up on the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) baseline provided last year that characterized my appointment as President and CEO. |
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| CEO Statement | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benoit La Salle, CEO | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a description of key impacts, risks, and opportunities, |
The impacts, risks and opportunities of the Zgounder Silver Mine are outlined in the Zgounder Silver Mine ESIA. Please refer to the link below for further information. |
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| Zgounder Expansion Project ESIA | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ethics and Integrity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a description of the organization’s values, principles, standards, and norms of behaviour |
The Board of Directors of Aya Gold & Silver is committed to ethical practices and high standards of corporate governance. Our mission is to leverage our extensive expertise to play a leadership role in building and operating viable precious metals mines that create value for our shareholders and community stakeholders. |
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Aya Gold & Silver Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy Aya Gold & Silver Strategy |
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| a. Describe internal and external mechanisms for: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Seeking advice about ethical and lawful behaviour, and organizational integrity |
We have a strong commitment to conduct our business in a lawful and ethical manner. Employees are encouraged to report violations of laws, rules, regulations and the Code of Conduct and Ethics either to their supervisor, member of senior management or through the confidential whistleblower mechanism detailed in the Corporation’s Handling of Complaints - Whistle Blowing Policy. We prohibit retaliatory action against any employee who, in good faith, reports a possible violation. It is unacceptable to file a report knowing it to be false. |
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Aya Gold & Silver Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
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| ii. Reporting concerns about unethical or unlawful behavior, and organizational integrity |
Aya Gold & Silver is committed to the highest standards of openness, honesty and accountability as outlined in the Corporation’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”). The latter also provides guidance on alternative methods of reporting employee concerns and directs that employees inform designated members of management regarding known or suspected instances of irregularities, fraud or misconduct. |
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Aya Gold & Silver Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Aya Gold & Silver Handling of Complaints – Whistle-Blowing Policy and Procedure |
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| Supply Chain | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Provide a description of the organization’s supply chain, including its main elements as they relate to the organization’s activities, primary brands, products, and services |
The Zgounder Silver Mine's supply chain's primary elements include: - chemical products for metal processing - machinery and parts - consulting services for engineering, health and safety, environment, and human resources management. |
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| a. Report on significant changes to the organization’s size, structure, ownership, or supply chain, including: |
In 2021, there were no significant changes in the Zgounder Silver Mine's size, structure, ownership or supply chain. |
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| Changes in Locations and Operations | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Changes in the location of, or changes in, operations, including facility openings, closings, and expansions |
There were no changes in the location of, or changes in, operations, including facility openings, closings, and expansions in 2021. |
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| Changes in Capital Structure | |||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Changes in the share capital structure and other capital formation, maintenance, and alteration operations (for private sector organizations) |
There were no changes in the share capital structure and other capital formation, maintenance, and alteration operations in 2021. |
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| Changes in Supply Chain | |||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Changes in the location of suppliers, the structure of the supply chain, or relationships with suppliers, including selection and termination |
There were no changes in the location of suppliers, the structure of the supply chain, or relationships with suppliers, including selection and termination in 2021. |
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| Precautionary Principle | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report whether and how the organization applies the Precautionary Principle or approach |
Where there is potential for environmental or social harm, lack of certainty cannot be accepted as a reason for inaction. At Aya Gold & Silver, we believe that the use of the precautionary principle is a key directive of responsible environmental and social governance and an important factor in the journey towards a more sustainable future. Although applying the precautionary principle means taking action despite scientific uncertainty, it does not negate the need for, or value of, pursuing a risk-based approach – remaining informed of the best available information and taking uncertainties into account. Our dedicated Environment, Health and Safety department takes the lead on assessing the potential for environmental and social harm and taking preventative measures where possible, erring on the side of caution where extensive scientific knowledge of risks is lacking. |
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| Membership of Associations | |||||||||||||||||||
| List of the major memberships of industry or other associations, and national or international advocacy organizations |
Aya Gold & Silver does not belong to industry or other associations, including national and international advocacy organizations. |
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| Environment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Compliance | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report fines and non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and/or regulations in terms of: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total monetary value of significant fines | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total number of non-monetary sanctions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Cases brought through dispute resolution mechanisms | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. If the organization is in compliance with environmental laws and/or regulations, a brief statement if this fact is sufficient |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver was in compliance with all environmental laws and/or regulations. |
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| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scope 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| For your operations, disclose the gross global Scope1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere of the seven GHGs covered under the Kyoto Protocol (tonne CO₂-e): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) (tonne CO₂-e) | 3103.758 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Methane (CH₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrous oxide (N₂O) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrofluorocarbon-23 (CHF₃) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrofluorocarbon-32 (CH₂F₂) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluoromethane (CF₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluoroethane (C₂F₆) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluorobutane (C₄F₁₀) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluorohexane (C₆F₁₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of gross global Scope 1 GHG emissions (CO₂-e) (tonne) | 3103.758 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The percentage of its gross global Scope 1 GHG emissions that are covered under an emissions-limiting regulation or program that is intended to directly limit or reduce emissions, such as cap-and-trade schemes, carbon tax/fee systems, and other emissions control (e.g., command-and-control approach) and permit-based mechanisms. | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Discuss any change in its emissions from the previous reporting period, including whether the change was due to emissions reductions, divestment, acquisition, mergers, changes in output, and/or changes in calculation methodology. |
In the 2020 report, Aya Gold & Silver did not disclose its GHG emissions as they were not material. |
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| In the case that current reporting of GHG emissions to the CDP or other entity (e.g., a national regulatory disclosure program) differs in terms of the scope and consolidation approach used, the entity may disclose those emissions. |
Aya Gold & Silver is reporting its emissions based on CDP disclosure guidelines. |
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| The entity may discuss the calculation methodology for its emissions disclosure, such as if data are from continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), engineering calculations, or mass balance calculations. |
In the 2021 report, Aya Gold & Silver is reporting GHG Scope 1 emissions based on the output of light vehicle and the diesel consumption of mining mobile equipment. |
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| The entity may, where relevant, provide a breakdown of its emissions by mineral or business unit. |
Scope 1 emissions represent operations at the Zgounder Silver Mine only. Aya Gold & Silver had no operations in any of its other assets or jurisdictions in 2021. |
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| The entity shall discuss its long-term and short-term strategy or plan to manage its Scope 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. |
Scope 1 emissions are generated mostly by operating machinery to mine ore. The type of machinery that we currently operate does not exist in electric form. As a result, it is currently impossible for us to significantly reduce our Scope 1 emissions. We plan to monitor new emerging technologies and evaluate other opportunities when our mining equipment needs replaced. |
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| The percentage reduction against the base year, with the base year representing the first year against which emissions are evaluated toward the achievement of the target | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not have any target got emissions reduction. |
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| Total base year GHG emmissions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Present year GHG emmissions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The timelines for the reduction activity | |||||||||||||||||||
| iii The context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of the base year emissions |
In this reporting period, Aya Gold and Silver did not recalculate any of its base year emissions. |
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| Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source |
The source of emission factors is the Onyen reporting platform. |
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| Consolidation approach for emissions - whether equity share, financial control, or operational control | Operational control | ||||||||||||||||||
| Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used |
For the purpose of this report, we used Carbon Disclosure Project guidelines as a calculation tool. |
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| Scope 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the gross location-based energy indirect (Scope 2) global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the atmosphere (tonne CO₂-e): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon dioxide (CO₂) (tonne CO₂-e) | 9556.717 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Methane (CH₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 66.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrous oxide (N₂O) (tonne CO₂-e) | 12307.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrofluorocarbon-23 (CHF₃) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrofluorocarbon-32 (CH₂F₂) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluoromethane (CF₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluoroethane (C₂F₆) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluorobutane (C₄F₁₀) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Perfluorohexane (C₆F₁₄) (tonne CO₂-e) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of gross global Scope 2 GHG emissions (CO₂-e) (tonne) | 21930.617 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of its gross global Scope 2 GHG emissions that are covered under an emissions-limiting regulation or program that is intended to directly limit or reduce emissions, i.e., cap-and-trade schemes, carbon tax/fee systems, and other emissions control (e.g., command-and-control approach) and permit-based mechanisms | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Discussion of long-term and short-term strategy or plan to manage Scope2 emissions, emissions reduction targets, and an analysis of performance against those targets |
In 2024, Aya Gold & Silver will sign a Power Purchasing Agreement with a clean energy provider connected to the Moroccan National Grid. By 2025, the Corporation will effectively reduce its scope 2 emissions to zero at its Zgounder Silver Mine in Morocco. |
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| iii The context for any significant changes in emissions that triggered recalculations of the base year emissions |
No significant change in emissions triggered recalculation of our 2020 emissions. |
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| Source of the emission factors and the global warming potential (GWP) rates used, or a reference to the GWP source |
For the purpose of this report, we utilized the International Energy Agency (IEA) defined emission factors (2021). |
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| Standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used |
In this report, Aya Gold & Silver utilized the Carbon Disclosure Project Calculation guidelines. |
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| GHG Calculation Tool | |||||||||||||||||||
| Intensity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of gross global Scope 1 GHG emissions (CO₂-e) (tonne) | 3103.758 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of gross global Scope 2 GHG emissions (CO₂-e) (tonne) | 21930.617 | ||||||||||||||||||
| GHG emissions intensity ratio for the organization | 112.085 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of organization's specific metric chosen to calculate the intensity ratio. | 223.352 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The above number (223,352) is in thousands of tonnes of ore produced. |
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| The organizations specific metric unit of measure. Note: when choosing a company specific metric, it must be used throughout all calculations | Production volume | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The intensity ratio is thousands of tonnes of ore processed by tonnes of CO2. |
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| Types of GHG emissions included in the intensity ratio; whether Scope 1, Scope 2 and/or Scope 3 |
• Scope 1 • Scope 2 |
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| Carbon Offset | |||||||||||||||||||
| Credits | |||||||||||||||||||
| How much CO₂ (metric tonnes) offset credits were purchased? | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Emissions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Emissions Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the management approach regarding Emissions |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver evaluated the principal sources of its GHG emissions, assessed electrification of its fleet and finding a green energy producer. As a result, management will seek a clean energy producer in the Moroccan national electrical grid to reduce its Scope 2 emissions. |
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| Air Emissions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report emissions of air pollutants that are released into the atmosphere: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Emissions of carbon monoxide, reported as CO (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver is not currently monitoring air emissions but will in the future monitor and disclose as per the Environmental and Social Management Plan included in the Zgounder Silver Mine 2022 ESIA. |
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| Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Production, imports, and exports of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) in metric tonnes of CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) equivalent: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Production of of ODS in metric tonnes of CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) equivalent | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ODS produced in metric tonnes of CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of ODS destoyed by approved technologies | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of ODS entirely used as feedstock in the manufacture of other chemicals | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Import amount of ODS in metric tonnes of CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Export amount of ODS in metric tonnes of CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane) equivalent | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Source of the emission factors used |
Aya Gold & Silver does not utilize equipment in its operations that can produce ozone- depleting substances. |
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| Significant Air Emissions | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Significant air emissions, in kilograms or multiples, for each of the following | |||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver does not produce Persistent Organic Pollutants as a result of its operations. |
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| iv. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold does not utilize equipment in its operations that can produce Volatile Organic Compounds. |
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| v. Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mining Sector: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Acetone (also known as propanone) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Acetaldehyde | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Antimony (Sb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Arsenic (As) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asbestos | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzene (including benzene from gasoline) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1,3-Butadiene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chloroform | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chromium (Cr) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (Cu) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cyanide (CN) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2,3-dimethylbutane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ethylbenzene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hexachlorobenzene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Iron (Fe) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| p-isopropyltoluene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lead (Pb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mercury (Hg) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver considers mercury emissions a material topic but we were not able to monitor these emissions in 2021. The Corporation will monitor and disclose in the future as per the Environmental and Social Management Plan included in the Zgounder Silver Mine 2022 ESIA. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Methane (CH4) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Methylene chloride (Dichloromethane) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nitrous Oxides (NOx) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Particulate Matter (PM2.5) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Particulate Matter (PM10) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i-pentane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Polyhalogenated Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Propene (also known as propylene or methyl ethylene) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sulphur Oxides (SOx) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofurans (TCDF) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thallium (Tl) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Toluene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PCE) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| o-Xylenes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| m-Xylenes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| p-Xylenes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zinc (Zn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Total Particulate Matter (TPM): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| PM2.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| PM10 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Other standard categories of air emissions identified in relevant regulations |
Aya Gold & Silver does not currently monitor air emissions. In the future, it will monitor and disclose as per the Environmental and Social Management Plan included in the 2022 Zgounder Silver Mine ESIA. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total energy consumed in aggregate, in gigajoules (GJ) (hydrocarbons and electricity) including the fuel types used (e.g., biomass, hydro-electric power or bioenergy) | 47970.133 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage energy consumed that was supplied by grid electricity | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of energy consumed that is renewable energy | 37.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Consumption | |||||||||||||||||||
| c. Report the energy consumed in gigajoules for the following : | |||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity consumption (gigajoules, GJ) | 47970.133 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The figure provided here is for the global electricity consumption at the Zgounder Silver Mine in 2021, and does not include the administrative offices in Casablanca. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Heating consumption (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cooling consumption (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Steam consumption (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| d. Report energy sold in gigajoules and report the totals for each: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Electricity sold (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Heating sold (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cooling sold (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Steam sold (gigajoules, GJ) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| f. Report the standards, methodologies, assumptions, and/or calculation tools used |
To calculate this data, the Corporation converted the KWh purchased from the national grid to gigajoules, GJ. |
||||||||||||||||||
| g. Report the source of the conversion factors used |
To calculate this data, the Corporation converted the KWh purchased from the national grid to gigajoules, GJ. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Intensity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the energy intensity ratio for inside the organization. This intensity ratio is the total ratio for all countries in which the company operates | 0.215 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Intensity | |||||||||||||||||||
| The total energy consumption within the organization, in gigajoules | 47970.133 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The organizations specific metric chosen to calculate the intensity. Note: when choosing a company specific metric, it must be used throughout all calculations | 223352 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Organization-specific metric to identify the denominator: | Production volume | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reduction in Energy Consumption | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the amount of reductions (from the previous reporting period) in energy consumption achieved as a direct result of conservation and efficiency initiatives, in gigajoules (GJ). Note - if you did not report in the previous reporting period, please indicate with a statement in the details section, "This is our foundational (for clarity, our first) ESG report for the organization". | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the basis for calculating reductions in energy consumption, i.e. base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it |
This is Aya Gold & Silver's first ESG report that discloses energy consumption. The Corporation is focused on acquiring and analyzing its data before planning reductions. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Reduction in Energy Requirements | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the reductions in energy requirements of sold products and services in this reporting period (from the previous reporting period), in gigajoules (GJ). Note - if you did not report in the previous reporting period, please indicate with a statement in the details section, "This is our foundational (for clarity, our first) ESG report for the organization", (e.g., if you used electric vehicles this year as opposed to last year, please indicate). | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the basis for calculating reductions in energy requirements, i.e., base year or baseline, including the rationale for choosing it |
This is Aya Gold & Silver's first ESG report that discloses energy consumption. The Corporation is focused on acquiring and analyzing data before planning reductions. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water | |||||||||||||||||||
| Efficiency | |||||||||||||||||||
| Proportion of water reused and recycled by the site to reduce the overall consumptive water demand: | 56.2427% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Intensity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total volume of water consumed per tonne/unit of material moved, ore mined, ore processed: | 0.2136% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Water Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the amount of water that was withdrawn from freshwater sources (in thousands of cubic meters): | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Analyze and list all operations for water risks and identify activities that withdraw and consume water in locations with High (40–80%) or Extremely High (>80%) Baseline Water Stress as classified by the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Water Risk Atlas tool, Aqueduct. |
Aya Gold & Silver's Zgounder Silver Mine and production facility are located across the limits between an area with low Baseline Water Stress and an area with extremely high Baseline Water Stress as classified by the World Resources Institute's (WRI) Water Risk Atlas tool. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Water Risk Atlas tool, Aqueduct |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the freshwater withdrawn in locations with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress as a percentage of the total water withdrawn | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose water withdrawn in locations with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress (in thousands of cubic meters): | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose freshwater consumed in locations with High or Extremely High Baseline Water Stress as a percentage of the total water consumed: | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the amount of water that was consumed in its operations (in thousands of cubic meters) | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total water consumed in locations with high or extremely high baseline water stress (in thousands of cubic meters) | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Was your organization subject to any fines, enforcement orders, and/or other penalties for water-related regulatory violations | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of instances of non-compliance, including violations of a technology-based standard and exceedances of quality-based standards. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure of incidents governed by national, state, and local statutory permits and regulations, including, but not limited to, the discharge of a hazardous substances, violation of pretreatment requirements, or total maximum daily load (TMDL) exceedances. |
Aya Gold & Silver was not subject to any national, state or local authority regulation violation relating to the environment. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water and Effluents | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interactions with Water As A Shared Resource | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe how the organization interacts with water, including how and where water is withdrawn, consumed, and discharged, and the water-related impacts caused or contributed to, or directly linked to the organization’s activities, products or services by a business relationship (e.g., impacts caused by runoff) |
Aya Gold & Silver's Zgounder operations draw freshwater from the Macoste spring, which is located 5km upstream from our operations. Water is consumed by the processing plant and the base camp. There is no discharge into the environment. For the purpose of this report, potential water- related impacts include the use of a shared water resource, and pollution from operations due to accidental runoff or infiltration. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the approach used to identify water-related impacts, including the scope of assessments, their timeframe, and any tools or methodologies used |
Water risks are assessed through the Corporation's risk management system, where mitigation measures are identified, and mitigation plans are developed and incorporated into the annual CAPEX and OPEX budgets. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Zgounder Silver Mine (approved by Moroccan authorities in Q1 2022) also provided Aya Gold and Silver's management with updated baseline information and impact identification. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Describe how water-related impacts are addressed, including how the organization works with stakeholders to steward water as a shared resource, and how it engages with suppliers or customers with significant water-related impacts |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented physical control measures in its operations and initiated an environmental monitoring program with a third-party accredited lab. In addition, in 2020, the Corporation identified that increased water storage could have a significant water-related impact by enabling operations to capture excess water in the rainy season and reduce extraction during the dry season. In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver began construction of a 60,000 m3 water storage basin. The result of this investment will be disclosed in the 2022 ESG report. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Explain the process for setting any water-related goals and targets that are part of the organization’s management approach, and how they relate to public policy and the local context of each area with water stress |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver set up an internal committee to monitor water-related efforts and report to executive management and the Board of Directors. The Corporation's water-related goals, targets and performance are established by this committee. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water Withdrawal | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total freshwater withdrawn by segment, in megaliters (ML): | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Surface water (total in ML): | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Groundwater (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Seawater (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Produced water (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Third-party water (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report on the total water withdrawal from all areas with water stress in megaliters (ML), and a breakdown of this total by the following sources: | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Groundwater (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Seawater (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Produced water (total in ML): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Third-party water, in megaliters (ML), and a breakdown of this total by the withdrawal sources: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Surface water source | Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Surface water | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Groundwater source | Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Groundwater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Seawater source | Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Seawater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Produced water source | Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Produced water | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report any contextual information necessary to understand how the data have been compiled, i.e., any standards, methodologies, and assumptions used |
Data is estimated from the annual tonnage of processed ore and a recirculation rate of 59% from TSF reclaim water. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water Consumption | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total water consumption from all areas in megaliters | 500.488 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total water consumption from all areas with water stress in megaliters | 195.611 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the change in water storage in megaliters, if water storage has been identified as having a significant water related impact, | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2020, Aya Gold & Silver identified that increased water storage could have a significant water-related positive impact as storage enables operations to capture excess water in the rainy season and reduces withdrawals during the dry season. In 2021, the Corporation begun construction of a 60,000 m3 water storage basin. The results of this investment will be disclosed in the 2022 ESG report. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Report any contextual information necessary to understand how the data was compiled, including standards, methodologies, and assumptions used, including whether the information is calculated, estimated, modeled, or sourced from direct measurements, and the approach taken for this, i.e., the use of any sector-specific factors |
Data is estimated from the annual tonnage of processed ore and a recirculation rate of 59% from TSF reclaim water. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water Discharge-Related Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a description of any minimum standards set for the quality of effluent discharge, and how these minimum standards were determined, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. How standards for facilities operating in locations with no local discharge requirements were determined |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder Silver Mine is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. The company does not have operational water discharges and/or runoff into the Zgounder river derived from its operations. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Water quality standards or guidelines developed internally |
Aya Gold & Silver's water monitoring program tests water quality against national and World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards. Water quality is evaluated monthly to ensure compliance. |
||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Sector-specific standards considered |
As per above, at the Zgounder Silver Mine, the Corporation tests water quality against national and WHO drinking water standards. |
||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Profile of the receiving waterbody considered |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Water Discharge | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total water discharge to all areas in megaliters: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder Silver Mine is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. The facility does not have operational water discharges and/or runoff into the Zgounder river derived from its operations. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| i. Surface water | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Groundwater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Seawater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Third-party water (total) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Third-party water that is sent for use to other organizations, if applicable | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the breakdown of total water discharge to all areas in megalitres by the following categories | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Surface water (total): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Groundwater (total): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Seawater (total): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Produced water (total): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Third-party water (total): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Third-party water that is sent for use to other organizations: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total water discharge to all areas with water stress in megalitres | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Surface water (total): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Groundwater (total): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Seawater (total): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Produced water (total): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Third-party water that is sent for use to other organizations: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Freshwater (≤1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other water (>1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids or TDS) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the substances of concern, in priority, where discharges are treated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Alachlor | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anthracene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Atrazine | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brominated diphenylether | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cadmium and its compounds | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| (depending on water hardness classes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Carbon-tetrachloride | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| C10-13 Chloroalkanes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorfenvinphos | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chlorpyrifos (Chlorpyrifos-ethyl) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cyclodiene pesticides: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aldrin | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dieldrin | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Endrin | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Isodrin | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DDT total | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| para-para-DDT | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dichloromethane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diuron | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Endosulfan | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fluoranthene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hexachloro-benzene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hexachloro-butadiene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hexachloro-cyclohexane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Isoproturon | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lead and its compounds | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mercury and its compounds | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Naphthalene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel and its compounds | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nonylphenol (4-Nonylphenol) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Octylphenol ((4-(1,1′,3,3′-tetramethylbutyl)-phenol)) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pentachloro-benzene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pentachloro-phenol | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzo(b)fluor-anthene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzo(k)fluor-anthene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benzo(g,h,i)-perylene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Indeno(1,2,3-cd)-pyrene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Simazine | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tetrachloro-ethylene | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trichloro-ethylene (7) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tributyltin compounds (Tributhyltin-cation) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trichloro-benzenes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trichloro-methane | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trifluralin | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. How priority substances of concern were defined, and any international standard, authoritative list, or criteria used | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. The approach for setting discharge limits for priority substances of concern |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of incidents of non-compliance with discharge limits | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the total volume of planned and unplanned water discharges by (exclude collected rainwater and domestic sewage): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder Silver Mine is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. The facility does not have operational water discharges and/or runoff into the Zgounder river derived from its operations. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| i. Volume of planned discharge to surface water (e.g., wetlands, lakes, rivers) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unplanned discharge to surface water (e.g., wetlands, lakes, rivers) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Planned discharge to groundwater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unplanned discharge to groundwater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. planned discharge to seawater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unplanned discharge to seawater | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Planned third-party water discharge | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unplanned third-party water discharge | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Planned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Unplanned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the water of the planned discharge to surface water (e.g., wetlands, lakes, rivers) |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
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| ii. Treatment method for the planned discharge to surface water | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the water of the unplanned discharge to surface water (e.g. wetlands, lakes, rivers) |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| ii.Treatment method of unplanned discharge to surface water | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the water of the planned discharge to groundwater |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
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| ii. Treatment method for the planned discharge to groundwater | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the unplanned discharge to groundwater |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the unplanned discharge to groundwater | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Was the water of the unplanned discharge to groundwater reused by another organization | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the planned discharge to seawater |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the planned discharge to seawater | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the unplanned discharge seawater |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the unplanned discharge to seawater | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the planned third-party water discharge |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the planned third-party water discharge | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the unplanned third-party water discharge |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the unplanned third-party water discharge | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of the planned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment or send it to third parties. |
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| ii. Treatment method of the planned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Quality of unplanned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| ii. Treatment method of unplanned third-party water discharge that is sent for use to other organizations | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Standards, methodologies, and assumptions used |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not discharge effluent into the environment. Aya Gold & Silver did not have unplanned water discharge during this reporting period. |
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| Waste | |||||||||||||||||||
| Waste Generation and Significant Waste-Related Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Describe the inputs, activities, and outputs that lead or could lead to these impacts; |
Waste streams that may be generated during the operational phase of mining activities include: |
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|
• Residues from mining/processing operations (overburden and tailings); • Hazardous waste (waste oil, chemicals, solvents, batteries, laboratory waste and medical waste); • Industrial waste (scrap metal, wood packaging, plastics); • Household waste (inert waste such as plastics, glass and building materials); • Organic waste (food and plant material). |
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| ii. Describe whether these impacts relate to waste generated in the organization’s own activities or to waste generated upstream or downstream in its value chain |
These impacts relate to waste generated by the Corporation's own activities at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Report the total amounts generated of the following and associated risks (tonnes) | 293099 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Overburden amount (tonnes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Overburden is not applicable to the Zgounder Silver Mine as this is an underground operation as of 2021. |
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| Overburden risks | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rock amount (tonnes) | 74844 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rock risks | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, the Zgounder Silver Mine was an underground mining operation, and as such the volumes of waste rock generated are very low. Waste rock is used for mine back-fill and as material for civil engineering. Aya Gold & Silver commissioned a third-party audit of its waste rock in 2021, and the results showed no significant potential for acid generation. |
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| Tailings amount (tonnes) | 218255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tailing risks |
• Disposal location • Type of waste material disposed • Other, please specify |
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| Tailings contain cyanide. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sludges amount (tonnes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sludges risks | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report actions, including circularity measures, taken to prevent waste generation in the organization’s own activities and upstream and downstream in its value chain, and to manage significant impacts from waste generated |
Aya Gold & Silver implemented a Waste Management Plan (WMP) in 2021 for its Zgounder Silver Mine. The WMP seeks to identify sources of waste generation, promote its sorting, pickup and disposal, in addition to its recycling through partnership with contractors. |
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| If the waste generated by the organization in its own activities is managed by a third party, a description of the processes used to determine whether the third party manages the waste in line with contractual or legislative obligations. |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver contracted a third party to remove large quantities of scrap metal that could not be reused internally. The provider was selected through a tender process that qualified bidders through a rigorous compliance process that verified permits, government issued operation permits, ISO 9001 certification, and previous experience. The third party purchased the scrap metal by weight to recycle and repurpose. |
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|
In 2022, Aya Gold & Silver will establish a partnership with an accredited third-party to dispose of all solid waste present on site that cannot be processed internally: hazardous waste, industrial waste, and domestic waste. |
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| Describe the processes used to collect and monitor waste-related data |
Waste quantity is roughly estimated using the number of pick-up trucks that collect waste twice a week from the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Waste Generated | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total weight of waste generated (tonne) | 293213 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the composition breakdown of the total waste (tonne) |
The total waste (in tonnes) generated by the Zgounder Silver Mine in 2021 is as follows: |
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|
• Sterile Rock: 74 844 • Tailings: 218 255 • Scrap metal: 300 • Toxic waste (oil): 5 • Tires: 25 • Other industrial waste: 20 • Domestic waste: 34 |
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| Explain the relevance to the companies sector or activities, e.g., tailings for an organization in the mining sector, electronic waste for an organization in the consumer electronics sector, or food waste for an organization in the agriculture or in the hospitality sector |
In 2021, relevant waste for the Zgounder Silver Mine was: • Sterile rock; • Tailings; • Scrap metal; • Toxic waste (oils and batteries); • Tires; • Other industrial waste; • Domestic waste. |
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| Materials that are present in the waste |
• Biomass • Metals • Plastics • Textiles |
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| Report contextual information necessary to understand the data and how the data has been compiled |
Waste rock and tailings were calculated based on production numbers for 2021. Domestic waste was estimated based on the number of trucks per week and typical load per truck. Toxic waste was estimated by the site maintenance department. |
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| Waste Diverted from Disposal | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total weight of waste diverted from disposal (tonne) | 400 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total weight of hazardous waste diverted from disposal (tonne), and a breakdown of this total by the following recovery operations: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Preparation for reuse (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preparation for reuse - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preparation for reuse - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Recycling (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recycling - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recycling - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Other recovery operations (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total weight of non-hazardous waste diverted from disposal (tonnes), and a breakdown of this total by the following recovery operations: | 400 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Preparation for reuse (total, tonne) | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preparation for reuse - Onsite | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Preparation for reuse - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Recycling (total, tonne) | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recycling - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Recycling - Offsite | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Other recovery operations (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose contextual information necessary to understand the data and how the data has been compiled |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver contracted a third party to purchase scrap metal by the tonne to be recycled and reused. The data was obtained by weighing the trucks when leaving the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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|
Scrap metal is also reused internally by the fixed maintenance department. The number for reuse - onsite was estimated. |
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| Waste Directed to Disposal | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total weight of waste directed to disposal (tonne). | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total weight of hazardous waste directed to disposal (tonne), and a breakdown of this total by the following recovery operations: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Incineration (with energy recovery), (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (with energy recovery) - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (with energy recovery) - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Incineration (without energy recovery), (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (without energy recovery) - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (without energy recovery) - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Landfilling (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Landfilling - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Landfilling - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Other recovery operations (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total weight of non-hazardous waste diverted from disposal (tonnes), and a breakdown of this total by the following recovery operations: | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Incineration (with energy recovery), (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (with energy recovery) - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (with energy recovery) - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Incineration (without energy recovery), (tonnes) | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (without energy recovery) - Onsite | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incineration (without energy recovery) - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Landfilling (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Landfilling - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Landfilling - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Other recovery operations (total, tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Onsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other recovery operations - Offsite | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose contextual information necessary to understand the data and how the data has been compiled |
Data on on-site incineration waste is estimated based on domestic and industrial waste generated in 2021. |
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| Effluents and Waste | |||||||||||||||||||
| Water Bodies Affected by Water Discharge | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. The reporting organization shall report the water bodies and related habitats that are significantly affected by water discharges and/or runoff: |
The Zgounder Silver Mine is located in the immediate vicinity of the Zgounder seasonal river. |
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|
The Zgounder Silver Mine is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. The company does not have operational water discharges and/or runoff into the Zgounder river derived from its operations. |
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| i. The size of the water body and related habitat | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder River is part of the Zgounder watershed that covers a total area of 74 km2. |
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| ii. Whether the water body and related habitat is designated as a nationally or internationally protected area | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The biodiversity value, i.e., total number of protected species | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder seasonal river is dry from April to October. In the remaining months, the river is utilized by minor fauna that are not on any lists of endangered or protected species. |
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| Waste Type and Disposal | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the total weight of hazardous waste (tonnes): | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Reuse | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Recycling | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Composting | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Recovery, including energy recovery | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Incineration (mass burn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Deep well injection (Oil & Gas) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Landfill | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. On-site storage | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ix. Other (to be specified by the organization) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Total weight of non-hazardous waste (tonnes): | 479 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Reuse | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Recycling | 300 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Composting | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Recovery, including energy recovery | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Incineration (mass burn) | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Deep well injection (Oil & Gas) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Landfill | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. On-site storage | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ix. Other (to be specified by the organization) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| c. How the waste disposal method has been determined: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Reuse |
Disposed of directly by the organization, or otherwise directly confirmed |
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| ii. Recycling |
Information provided by the waste disposal contractor |
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| iii. Composting | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Recovery, including energy recovery | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Incineration (mass burn) |
Disposed of directly by the organization, or otherwise directly confirmed |
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| vii. Landfill | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. On-site storage |
Disposed of directly by the organization, or otherwise directly confirmed |
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| ix. Other (to be specified by the organization) | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Spills | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Total number of recorded significant spills: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Oil spills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel spills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spills of wastes | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spills of chemicals | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, as specified by the organization | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Additional information as reported in the organization’s financial statements for significant spills | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Location of spill: | |||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Volume of spill as recorded in the financial statements for significant spills (in megaliters) | |||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Material and impacted surface of spill: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Oil spills | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel spills | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spills of wastes | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spills of chemicals | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other, as specified by the organization | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| c. Impacts of significant spills |
Aya Gold & Silver did not have any significant spills as a result of its operations in 2021. |
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| Transport of Hazardous Waste | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Total weight for each of the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Hazardous waste transported (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Hazardous waste imported (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Hazardous waste exported (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Hazardous waste treated (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| b. Percentage of hazardous waste shipped internationally: | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| c. Standards, methodologies, and assumptions used |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver stored its hazardous waste onsite while evaluating its options for contracting a third party to transport and remove waste safely. |
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| Waste Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of tailings waste generated from mining activities by the entity during the reporting period (tonne) | 218255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of tailings waste that was recycled during the reporting period: | 34.2920% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight of tailings waste material that was reused (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weight of recycled or remanufactured (through treatment or processing) by the entity (tonne), e.g., backfill | 74844 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, the Zgounder Silver Mine operated underground only. As such, the volumes of sterile rocks are relatively low compared to open pit mining, and the Corporation recycles all this material for road maintenance and backfill. |
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| Amount of tailings waste sent externally for further recycling (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of mineral processing waste generated by the entity during the reporting period (tonne), e.g. tailings and slag | 218255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of mineral processing waste that was recycled during the reporting period: | 34.2920% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tailings impoundments according to the following U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) hazard potential classification: | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| High hazard potential (number) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant hazard potential (number) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's Zgounder Silver Mine has a total of 4 tailings dams. Each of the tailings dams have a maximum storage capacity of no more that 4.5 acre-feet. Two of the tailings dams are closed and no longer in operation. The remaining two active tailings dams would not cause loss of life nor disrupt important utilities or cause economic loss due to their distance to surrounding communities. They could potentially cause harm to the surrounding environment. |
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| Low hazard potential (number) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total amount of non-mineral waste generated (tonne) | 384 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total weight of tailings produced (tonne) | 218255 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total amount of waste rock generated (tonne) | 74844 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total amount of overburden removed (tonne) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total weight of waste generated that was hazardous (tonne) | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total weight of hazardous waste generated that was recycled (tonne). | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total number of significant incidents associated with handling, storage, transportation, or disposal of hazardous materials used in mineral processing activities and hazardous waste generated. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the policies and procedures that are set forth by the company's waste and hazardous materials management strategy. |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented a Waste Management Plan at its Zgounder Silver Mine. As per that plan, hazardous waste was stored onsite in 2021 while the Corporation evaluated third parties to safely dispose of hazardous waste. |
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| Describe how its policies and procedures compare with those required by local jurisdictions that apply to the entity. |
The Corporation is in compliance with all policies and procedures required by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development (MEM) of the Kingdom of Morocco. In addition, it generally strives to apply international best practices. |
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| Describe its approach to waste management during the entire project life cycle. |
Please refer to the attached document for a description of Aya Gold & Silver's approach to waste management. |
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|
|
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| Aya Gold & Silver's Approach to Waste Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the approach to the management of hazardous materials used in processing |
At the Zgounder Silver Mine, hazardous material used in processing consists primarily of processing solution. |
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|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented a hazardous material management plan to assess risks, provide safe storage, handling and disposal of hazardous material. |
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| Describe how waste and hazardous materials management efforts are coordinated among business partners (e.g., contractors and subcontractors). |
Please refer to the answer above on the Corporation's approach to waste management during the entire project life cycle. |
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| Describe how the company ensures compliance and conformance with waste and hazardous material management policies and procedures. |
In 2021, a third-party provider was selected through a tender process that qualified bidders through a rigorous compliance process involving verification of permits, government- issued operation permits, ISO 9001 certification, and previous experience. |
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| Tailings Storage Facilities Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Does your company manage Tailings Storage Facilities | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide an inventory of all talings storage facilities (TSFs): | |||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (1) facility name | "Historical Tailings" | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The "Historical Tailings" were operated between 1980 and 1990 by the Société minière de Sidi Lahcen (SOMIL). In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver developed a NI 43-101 Feasibility Study ("FS") for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project, in which the reprocessing of the historical tailings was added to the project for an estimated 817,000 ounces of indicated silver. As per the mining plan described in the FS, the Historical Tailings will be reprocessed towards the end of life of the Zgounder Silver Mine, and the Corporation will then proceed to TSF closure and environmental rehabilitation. |
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| TSF #1: (2) location | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (3) ownership status | Company owned | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (4) operational status | Not in operation | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (5) construction method | Upstream | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (6) maximum permitted storage capacity | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Maximum permitted storage is unknown for this facility. |
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| TSF #1: (7) current amount of tailings stored | 318000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total tailings stored are calculated in tons. | |||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (8) consequence classification | Low | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (9) date of most recent independent technical review | 1980-01-01 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The date of the most recent independent technical review is unknown for this TSF, as it was decommissioned in 1990. |
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| TSF #1: (10) material findings | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (11) mitigation measures |
Not applicable to the results of the most recent independent technical review. |
||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #1: (12) site-specific EPRP | No | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The TSF was decommissioned in 1990 and does not present any stability risks at present. |
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| TSF #2: (1) facility name | "Ancient Tailings" | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Ancient Tailings facility is currently under rehabilitation, and revegetation has begun to close the facility. |
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| TSF #2: (2) location | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (3) ownership status | Company owned | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (4) operational status | Not in operation | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (5) construction method | Upstream | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (6) maximum permitted storage capacity | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Maximum permitted storage is unknown for this facility. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (7) current amount of tailings stored | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The current amount of tailings stored is unknown. |
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| TSF #2: (8) consequence classification | Low | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (9) date of most recent independent technical review | 2021-04-01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (10) material findings | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (11) mitigation measures |
Not applicable to the results of the most recent independent technical review. |
||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #2: (12) site-specific EPRP | No | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The "ancient tailings" facility were operated by the previous management for about one year, in 2019. Decommissioning was already underway when new management started at the Zgounder Silver Mine in mid-2020. In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver organized a third- party audit to get an independent assessment of the stability of the structure. Recommendations were immediately implemented and the Corporation is now evaluating the process of environmental rehabilitation for this TSF. |
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| TSF #3: (1) facility name | "Flotation Tailings" | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (2) location | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (3) ownership status | Company owned | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (4) operational status | In operation | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (5) construction method | Upstream | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (6) maximum permitted storage capacity | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's permitting from the Ministry of Energy, Mine and Sustainable Development does not have a maximum permitted storage capacity. Maximum permitted storage is unknown for this facility. |
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| TSF #3: (7) current amount of tailings stored | 156532 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of tailings stored in 2021 in tonnes. | |||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (8) consequence classification | Low | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (9) date of most recent independent technical review | 2021-10-28 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (10) material findings | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #3: (11) mitigation measures |
Construction of a concrete ditch at the foot of the TSF to collect potential leaks at the foot of the dam. These will be pumped back into the process to build a contingency dam. |
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| TSF #3: (12) site-specific EPRP | No | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver is developing its Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans for conclusion in 2022. |
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| TSF #4: (1) facility name | "Cyanidation Tailings" | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (2) location | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (3) ownership status | Company owned | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (4) operational status | Operational | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (5) construction method | Upstream | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (6) maximum permitted storage capacity | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's permit from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Sustainable Development does not state a maximum permitted storage capacity. Maximum permitted storage is unknown for this facility. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (7) current amount of tailings stored | 130000 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
This amount is an estimation as Aya Gold & Silver does not have data from prior operators of the Zgounder Silver Mine. In 2021, Aya Gold and Silver added 58,360 tonnes of tailings to the facility. |
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| TSF #4: (8) consequence classification | Significant | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (9) date of most recent independent technical review | 2021-10-28 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (10) material findings | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| TSF #4: (11) mitigation measures |
Installation of a secondary pumping mechanism for water evacuation, and a network of auscultation and piezometer devices. |
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| TSF #4: (12) site-specific EPRP | No | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver is in the process of developing its Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. These will be concluded in 2022. |
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| Provide a summary of the tailings management systems used to monitor and maintain the structural integrity of tailings facilities and to minimize the risk of a catastrophic failure. |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented quarterly audits by external third parties to review the structural integrity and overall status of the two operating tailings facilities, with the objective of applying the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management (GIST) retroactively to operating TSFs. |
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|
As per the Feasibility Study for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project, a new TSF will be constructed ("Site C") in 2023. The GIST will be applied from the beginning of the planning process. |
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| Provide summary of tailings management systems and governance structure used to monitor and maintain the stability of tailings storage facilities |
In addition to quarterly audits, Aya Gold & Silver implements monthly internal audits to monitor the implementation of the recommendations issued by the external third- party audits. |
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|
The results of these audits are reported to the VP of Operations and the Board of Directors. |
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| Disclose the approach to the development of Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRPs). |
The Corporation is in the process of developing its Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans. These will be concluded in 2022. |
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| Disclose its approach to engagement concerning Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRPs) at tailings storage facilities, including the preparedness of local stakeholders. |
Aya Gold & Silver's approach to the development of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans includes engagement and coordination with local authorities. |
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| Innovation | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe nature of spending on Research, Development and Technologies for waste management compliance and improvement |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver focused on upgrading its waste-sorting facility in order to improve its waste-management efficiency. |
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| Materials | |||||||||||||||||||
| Materials Stewardship | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify programs related to materials stewardship and report on their progress |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not have any programs related to materials stewardship. |
||||||||||||||||||
| By Weight and Volume | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the total weight or volume of materials that are used to produce and package the organization’s primary products and services during the reporting period, by: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Weight (tonnes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver does not use any materials to produce and package the organization’s primary products and services. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total Volume (cubic metres) | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Weight of non-renewable materials used, (tonnes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Volume of non-renewable materials used (cubic metres) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Weight of renewable materials used (tonnes) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Volume of renewable materials used (cubic metres) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Supplier Environmental Assessment | |||||||||||||||||||
| New Suppliers Screened | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the percentage of new suppliers that were screened using environmental criteria: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Negative Impacts in the Supply Chain and Results | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the number of suppliers assessed for environmental impacts | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not evaluate suppliers based on their environmental impact. During their selection, suppliers are systematically evaluated on criteria such as competitiveness, responsiveness, and reputation in the Moroccan market, which takes into account environmental acceptability factors. In 2022, the Corporation will implement a new approach for the Expansion Project which includes the pre-selection of suppliers. Each work package/tender will include a questionnaire that screens for environmental factors. This questionnaire will allow the Corporation to rank suppliers and eliminate those with a potential history of negative environmental impacts. |
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| b. Report the number of suppliers identified as having significant actual and potential negative environmental impacts | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, the Corporation did not identify any suppliers as currently exerting or likely to exert adverse environmental impact. Raw materials that could potentially impact the environment are imported from global suppliers that respect HSEC international standards and supply leading mining groups in Morocco. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| c. Report significant actual and potential negative environmental impacts identified in the supply chain | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| d. Report the percentage of suppliers identified as having significant actual and potential negative environmental impacts with which improvements were agreed upon as a result of assessment: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| e. Report the percentage of suppliers identified as having significant actual and potential negative environmental impacts with which relationships were terminated as a result of assessment, and why: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Biodiversity | |||||||||||||||||||
| Management Plan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the approach to biodiversity management |
Please refer to the attached document for a description of Aya Gold & Silver's approach to Biodiversity Management. |
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|
|
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| Aya Gold & Silver's Biodiversity Management Plan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe significant impacts of activities, products and services on biodiversity in protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas |
None of Aya Gold & Silver's operations are located in protected areas or in areas of high biodiversity value outside of protected areas. |
||||||||||||||||||
| List the environmental and biodiversity management plan(s) implemented at active sites |
The following plans are implemented at the Zgounder Silver Mine: • Water Management Plan • Waste Management • Environmental and Social Management Plan |
||||||||||||||||||
| 1.1 Mine lifecycle stages to which the plan(s) apply |
• Site development • Production • During closure • Decommissioning • Restoration |
||||||||||||||||||
| 1.2 The topics addressed by the plan(s) |
• Ecological and biodiversity impacts • Waste generation • Noise impacts • Emissions to air • Discharges to water • Natural resource consumption • Hazardous chemical usage |
||||||||||||||||||
| 1.3 The underlying references for its plan(s), including whether they are codes, guidelines, standards, or regulations; whether they were developed by the entity, an industry organization, a third-party organization (e.g., a non-governmental organization, a governmental agency, or some combination of these groups) |
Water and Waste management plans were developed internally and follow the typical ISO 14001 structure as they are part of our Environmental and Social Management System. |
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|
The Environmental and Social Management Plan was developed by NOVEC, the consulting firm that developed the 2022 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project. |
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| Impacts of Policies and Procedures | |||||||||||||||||||
| Where relevant, describe specific policies and practices that apply to areas with protected conservation status and/or areas of critical habitat, which are defined by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 6: |
Aya Gold & Silver does not have any specific policies that apply to areas with protected conservation status and/or areas of critical habitat as the Corporation does not have operations in such areas. |
||||||||||||||||||
| If the management policies and practices do not apply to all of the entity’s sites or operations, indicate the percentage of sites to which they were applied. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Where environmental management policies and practices differ significantly by mineral resource (e.g., bauxite mining as compared to silver mining) then describe differences for each resource. |
Currently, Aya Gold & Silver only produces silver. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the degree to which its policies and practices are aligned with the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, January 1, 2012, including specifically: | |||||||||||||||||||
| IFC Performance Standard 1 — Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts. | Full alignment | ||||||||||||||||||
| IFC Performance Standard 3 — Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention. | Full alignment | ||||||||||||||||||
| IFC Performance Standard 4 — Community Health, Safety, and Security. | Full alignment | ||||||||||||||||||
| IFC Performance Standard 6 — Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources. | Full alignment | ||||||||||||||||||
| Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of its mine sites (by annual production output from mines in tonnes) where acid-generating seepage into surrounding surface water and/or groundwater is: predicted to occur | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of mine sites (by annual production output from mines in tonnes) where acid-generating seepage into surrounding surface water and/or groundwater is: actively mitigated | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of mine sites (by annual production output from mines in metric tonnes) where acid-generating seepage into surrounding surface water and/or groundwater is: under treatment or remediation | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a breakdown by business unit where acid rock drainage occur, is activelly mitigated and/or under treatment or remediation |
Acid rock drainage does not occur at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Does access to the site involve traversing a protected area | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Do any of the entities concessions share a watershed with a protected area | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide context and description of site access involving traversing protected areas, and/or watersheds shared with a protected area. Include reference to measures in place to assure access, any proactive programs to support the biodiversity of the protected area, and any formal complaints or compliance issues and related steps to resolve |
Not applicable to the Corporation's Zgounder Silver Mine. The Zgounder Mine is accessible from the City of Agadir on the well-maintained paved highways of N10 and P1706 that run east for 205 km to Taliouine in the Taroudant Province. Most of the remaining 61 km to the mine is traveled on a paved road to the village of Askaoun. The final five (5) km drive to the mine is via a dirt road. The Zgounder Silver Mine is also accessible with a 278 km drive on paved highways from the City of Marrakesh. |
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| Percentage of proved reserves in sites with protected conservation status or in areas of endangered species habitat: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Grade (in percentage %) of proved reserves located in areas either with protected conservation status or in areas of endangered species habitat | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fossil Fuel: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Coal | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Natural Gas | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nuclear Fuel: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Uranium (U) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thorium (Th) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gemstones: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Flourite (CaF₂) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diamond | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Metals: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aluminium (Al) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Antimony (Sb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bauxite (Al₂H₂O₄) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cobalt (Co) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (Cu) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chromium (Cr) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Feldspar (KAlSi₃O₈) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gold (Au) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Iron ore (Fe) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lead (Pb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lithium (Li) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mercury (Hg) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mica | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Niobium (Nb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Palladium (Pd) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Platinum (Pt) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Silicon (Si) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Silver (Ag) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tin (Sn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Titanium (Ti) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zinc (Zn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of probable reserves in sites with protected conservation status or in areas of endangered species habitat: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Grade (in percentage %) of probable reserves located in areas either with protected conservation status or in areas of endangered species habitat | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fossil Fuel: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Coal | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Natural Gas | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nuclear Fuel: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Uranium (U) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Thorium (Th) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gemstones: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Flourite (CaF₂) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diamond | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Metals: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aluminium (Al) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Antimony (Sb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bauxite (Al₂H₂O₄) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bismuth (Bi) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cobalt (Co) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Copper (Cu) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Chromium (Cr) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Feldspar (KAlSi₃O₈) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gold (Au) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Iron ore (Fe) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lead (Pb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lithium (Li) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mercury (Hg) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mica | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Nickel (Ni) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Niobium (Nb) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Palladium (Pd) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Platinum (Pt) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Silicon (Si) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Silver (Ag) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tin (Sn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Titanium (Ti) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zinc (Zn) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of inferred, indicated and measured reserves in sites with protected conservation status or in areas of endangered species habitat: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amount of land (owned or leased, and managed for production activities or extractive use) disturbed or rehabilitated (hectares). | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total land disturbed and not yet rehabilitated (A: opening balance); | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| This is an estimation. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of land newly disturbed within the reporting period (B); | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of land newly rehabilitated within the reporting period to the agreed end use (C) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total land disturbed and not yet rehabilitated (D= A+B-C; closing balance). | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total cumulative land rehabilitated since the beginning of the operaion (hectars). | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The number and percentage of total sites identified as requiring biodiversity management plans (BMP) according to stated criteria, and the number (percentage) of those sites with plans in place | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify the total number of sites | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report criteria for deciding that a BMP is required. |
• Scale of impact • Sensitivity of the area • Local community use of biodiversity • Ecosystems services provided by the local environment – e.g. wetlands (water purification, carbon sequestration), etc. • Cultural relevance • Protected status (or proximity to protected areas) • Iconic species or red listed species • Potential post closure use • Business case/risk aspects |
||||||||||||||||||
| Report the number of total sites that have been assessed under the criteria as in need of a BMP | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
As per IFC PS6 guidelines, the Zgounder Silver Mine does not require Biodiversity Management Plans. However, as per Aya Gold & Silver's precautionary principles and values, the Corporation will conduct a semi-annual biodiversity assessment as per the Environmental and Social Management Plan included in the 2022 ESIA for the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Report the percentage of total sites that have been assessed under the criteria as in need of a BMP | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Of the number of sites in need of a BMP, report the number that have a BMP in place and operational | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Of the number of sites in need of a BMP, report the percentage that have a BMP in place and operational | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Protected Areas | |||||||||||||||||||
| For each operational site owned, leased, managed in, or adjacent to, protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside protected areas, report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Geographic location |
Aya Gold & Silver does not have any operational sites owned, leased, managed or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside of protected areas. |
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| ii. Subsurface and underground land that may be owned, leased, or managed by the organization |
Aya Gold & Silver does not have any operational sites owned, leased, managed or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside of protected areas. |
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| iii. Position in relation to the protected area (in the area, adjacent to, or containing portions of the protected area) or the high biodiversity value area outside protected areas |
Aya Gold & Silver does not have any operational sites owned, leased, managed or adjacent to protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value outside of protected areas. |
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| Significant Impacts of Activities, Products and Services | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the nature of significant direct and indirect impacts on biodiversity with reference to one or more of the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Construction or use of manufacturing plants, mines, and transport infrastructure | Processing/Production | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Pollution (introduction of substances that do not naturally occur in the habitat from point and non-point sources) | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Reduction of species | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Habitat conversion | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Changes in ecological processes outside the natural range of variation (i.e., salinity or changes in groundwater level) | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant direct and indirect positive and negative impacts with reference to the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Species affected | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Extent of areas impacted | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Duration of impacts | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Habitats Protected or Destroyed | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Size and location of all habitat areas protected or restored, and whether the success of the restoration measure was or is approved by independent external professionals |
There are no significant habitats surrounding the Zgounder Silver Mine or impacted by its operation. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Whether partnerships exist with third parties to protect or restore habitat areas distinct from where the organization has overseen and implemented restoration or protection measures |
No partnerships exist with third parties to protect or restore habitat areas as this is not a material issue for the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| IUCN Red List Species and National Conservation List Species | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of IUCN Red List species with habitats in areas affected by the operations of the organization, by level of extinction risk. Note to reader, as there are 37,400 species on the IUCN Red List that are classified in nine categories, you may choose from the nine categories | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Not Evaluated | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Data Deficient | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Least Concern | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Near threatened | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Vulnerable | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Endangered | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Critically Endangered | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. Extinct in the Wild | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ix. Extinct | Not applicable to the Zgounder SIlver Mine. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Social | |||||||||||||||||||
| Employment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Scale of the Organization | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Report the total number of direct employees worldwide (exclude contractors) | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
For this reporting period, Aya Gold & Silver is only reporting on its operations in Morocco. In 2021, the Corporation retained 17 direct employees and 6 contract employees at its corporate office in Montreal, Quebec. These employees' statistics are not included in this report. |
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| ii. Report the total number of contract employees worldwide | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver includes data on contractors from its Zgounder operation. For this reporting period, the Corporation has identified contractors as those with contracts exceeding 6 months. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Female employees and contractors as percentage of total employees and contractors | 3.4749% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Male employees and contractors as percentage of total employees and contractors | 96.5318% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary employees and contractors as percentage of total employees and contractors | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of employees and contractors with gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees and contractors with gender not disclosed as percentage of total employees and contractors | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contractors as percentage of total employed workforce worldwide | 50.4817% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of operations | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of direct employees by employment type (permanent and temporary), by gender: | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of permanent employees | 252 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of permanent employees - female | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of permanent employees - male | 234 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of permanent employees - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of permanent employees - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of temporary employees | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of temporary employees - female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of temporary employees - male | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of temporary employees - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of temporary employees - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of contractors by employment type (permanent and temporary), by gender: | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not collect contractor hire data by gender and employment type for the Zgounder Silver Mine. This data will be collected and reported in subsequent years. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of employees by employment type (full-time and part-time), by gender: | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time employees - female | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time employees - female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time employees - male | 239 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time employees - male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time employees - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time employees - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time employees - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time employees - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of contractors by employment type (full-time and part-time), by gender: | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not collect data from contractors on employment by type, by gender for the Zgounder Silver mine. This data will be collected and reported in subsequent years.. |
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| Total number of full-time contractors - female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time contractors - female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time contractors - male | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time contractors - male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time contractors - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time contractors - Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of full-time contractors - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of part-time contractors - Gender not disclosed | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Turnover | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number and rate of employee turnover during the reporting period, by age group, and gender | |||||||||||||||||||
| All Employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left during the period) | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 2.6253% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Voluntary Turnover: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left voluntarily during the period) | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 1.4320% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Involuntary Turnover: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left involuntarily during the period) | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 1.1933% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number of females that left during the period) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover, females | 12.9032% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Male employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number of males that left during the period) | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover, males | 2.2305% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number non-binary that left during the period) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover, non-binary | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Turnover & Age Breakdown | |||||||||||||||||||
| Employees aged 30 years old and under: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left during the period) | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| As percent of total employees | 23.5067% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 3.2787% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees aged between 30 and 50 years old: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left during the period) | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| As percent of total employees | 61.0790% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 3.0829% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees over 50 years old: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of turnover (the number that left during the period) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| As percent of total employees | 15.4143% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of turnover | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Identify types of employees captured in the turnover rate calculations | All employees on the payroll | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average age of employees | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||
| New Hires and Rate of Hire | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Report the total number and rate of new employee hires during the reporting period, by age group, gender and region | |||||||||||||||||||
| All employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total hires during the reporting period | 211 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of hire | 40.6551% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total female hires during the reporting period | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Females as percent of total new hires | 3.3175% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Male employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total males hires during the reporting period | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Males as percent of total new hires | 96.6825% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total non-binary hires during the reporting period | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary as percent of total new hires | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees aged 30 years old and under: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total hires during the reporting period (30 yr and under) | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 30 yr and under as percent of total new hires | 44.0758% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees aged between 30 and 50 years old: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total hires during the reporting period (30-50 yrs) | 114 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 30-50 yrs as percent of total new hires | 54.0284% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employees over 50 years old: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total hires during the reporting period (50+ yrs) | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 50+ yrs as percent of total new hires | 1.8957% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Identify types of employees captured in the hire rate calculations | All employees on the payroll | ||||||||||||||||||
| Full-time Employee Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the benefits which are standard for full-time employees of the organization but are not provided to temporary or part-time employees, by significant locations of operation | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's part-time employees receive the same benefits as full-time employees at our Zgounder Silver Mine site. |
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| Provide the definition used for ‘significant locations of operation’ |
In this reporting period, Aya Gold and SIlver is disclosing information exclusively from its Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Parental leave | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of employees that were entitled to parental leave, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of employees that took parental leave, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of employees that returned to work in the reporting period after parental leave ended, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of employees that returned to work after parental leave ended that were still employed 12 months after their return to work, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the return to work rates of employees that took parental leave, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the retention rates of employees that took parental leave, by gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Labour Relations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Collective Bargaining Agreements | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of total direct employees covered by collective bargaining agreements: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Notice Periods | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum number of weeks’ notice typically provided to employees and their representatives prior to the implementation of significant operational changes that could substantially affect them | 4 weeks | ||||||||||||||||||
| Collective Bargaining Agreements - US & Foreign Workforce | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of U.S. employees in the active workforce that are covered under collective bargaining agreements: | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of foreign employees in the active workforce that are covered under collective bargaining agreements: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the number of work stoppages of work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers lasting one full shift or longer. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total duration, in worker days idle, of work stoppages involving 1,000 or more workers lasting one full shift or longer. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report total number of strikes and lock-outs exceeding one week's duration | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of lock-outs exceeding one week's duration | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of stikes exceeding one week's duration | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of operations with closure plans | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent of operations with closure plans | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report on the overall financial provision for closure, or include a reference to the relevant financial statements. |
Aya Gold & Silver has designed a closure plan and expansion project for the Zgounder operation. Please see attached NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study, page 379. |
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| NI 43-101 Zgounder Feasibility Study | |||||||||||||||||||
| Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operations and Suppliers At Risk | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the operations and suppliers in which workers’ rights to exercise freedom of association or collective bargaining may be violated or at significant risk either in terms of: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Type of operation (i.e., manufacturing plant) and supplier |
Aya Gold & Silver's operations at the Zgounder Silver Mine consist of underground mining and metal processing activities. Suppliers consist mostly of contractors working on site. |
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| ii. Countries or geographic areas with operations and suppliers considered at risk | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Corporation's Zgounder Silver Mine is located in the jurisdiction of Morocco considered by international organizations to have lax statutes on organizing labor. |
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| Report measures taken by the organization in the reporting period intended to support rights to exercise freedom of association and collective bargaining |
As per the Kingdom of Morocco's Labor code, the Zgounder Silver Mine has elected worker representatives. |
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| Occupational Health and Safety | |||||||||||||||||||
| Health & Safety Management System | |||||||||||||||||||
| For employees and for workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, report the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| A statement of whether an occupational health and safety management system has been implemented | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. The system has been implemented because of legal requirements and, if so, a list of the requirements |
Yes, the OHS System for the Zgounder Silver Mine has been implemented to meet the following legal requirements: - Moroccan labor code (Loi n°65-99) - Occupational environment (Arrêté N° 93-08 du 6 joumada I 1489 (BO n° 5680 du 06/11/08) - Moroccan mining code |
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| ii. The system has been implemented based on recognized risk management and/or management system standards/guidelines and, if so, a list of the standards/guidelines |
The system implemented is based on risk management and ISO 45001:2018. |
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| A description of the scope of workers, activities, and workplaces covered by the occupational health and safety management system, and an explanation of why any workers, activities, or workplaces are not covered |
The safety management system applies to all activities and business processes, namely: geology, mining, process, maintenance, laboratory, logistics, purchasing, projects, etc. |
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| Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Incident Investigation | |||||||||||||||||||
| For employees and for workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, report the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| A description of the processes used to identify work-related hazards and assess risks on a routine and non-routine basis, and to apply the hierarchy of controls in order to eliminate hazards and minimize risks, including: |
For routine tasks and operations, the Corporation uses its occupational risk analysis standard for workstations to identify hazards and assess risks according to the FMECA (Failure mode, effects and criticality analysis) hazard method. Risk assessments are conducted as follows: 1- Division of activities. 2- Identification of workstations and associated tasks. 3-Identification of hazards and associated risks. 4-Assessment and prioritization of risks according to an evaluation grid 5- Interpretation of the Risk Score 6- Action plan & Operating mode. For non-routine activities, the company uses work permits, standards, assesses risks and applies control measures. |
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| i. How the organization ensures the quality of these processes, including the competency of persons who carry them out |
The Corporation ensures the quality of the risk assessment process through its risk assessment standard, training participants tasked with this process, incident analysis and periodic updating of the risk analysis. The risk assessment is led by a qualified HSE team. |
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| ii. How the results of these processes are used to evaluate and continually improve the occupational health and safety management system |
The final product of the risk assessment is in the form of an action plan in which the actions, persons responsible and deadlines for completion are defined. There are also operating modes relating to the identified workstations. The implementation of the action plan is monitored by the HSE manager in consultation with department managers. |
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| A description of the processes for workers to report work-related hazards and hazardous situations, and an explanation of how workers are protected against reprisals |
The Corporation has set up charters for monthly departmental safety meetings in which departmental employees participate and which provide an opportunity to report risky situations. Additionally, HSE inspections and interviews are carried out by the HSE team with employees. Reporting is also conducted through worker representatives. Hygiene, health and safety committee meetings are held quarterly in the presence of staff representatives to discuss aspects relating to the health and safety of staff and working conditions. |
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| A description of the policies and processes for workers to remove themselves from work situations that they believe could cause injury or ill health, and an explanation of how workers are protected against reprisals |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not have a formal process whereby workers could remove themselves from work situations that they believed could cause injury or ill health. The Zgounder Silver Mine Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) Charter, however, states that Aya's Gold & Silver managerial team is responsible for the health & safety of all employees and must assume exemplary behavior and leadership. |
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| A description of the processes used to investigate work-related incidents, including the processes to identify hazards and assess risks relating to the incidents, to determine corrective actions using the hierarchy of controls, and to determine improvements needed in the occupational health and safety management system |
The OHS charter signed by the CEO requires that all accidents, first aid injuries and incidents in relation to the Corporation's activities be analyzed and communicated, in order to learn lessons and take steps necessary to avoid their recurrence. Aya Gold & Silver has a site-specific standard for incident Investigation that defines the requirements and rules relating to the classification, investigation, analysis and reporting of accidents. |
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| Health Services | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information for employees and for workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization: | |||||||||||||||||||
| A description of the occupational health services’ functions that contribute to the identification and elimination of hazards and minimization of risks, and an explanation of how the organization ensures the quality of these services and facilitates workers’ access to them |
The Zgounder Silver Mine's on-site clinic is equipped for first-aid treatment with health services provided by an occupational doctor and 3 nurses. The clinic is accessible to all on- site employees who are under the Corporation's operational control. |
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| Worker Participation and Communication on Health & Safety | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information for employees and for workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization | |||||||||||||||||||
| A description of the processes for worker participation and consultation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the occupational health and safety management system, and for providing access to and communicating relevant information on occupational health and safety to workers |
Worker consultation and participation in the health and safety management system is ensured through monthly safety meetings (SCS, CGS, CHS) as well as through worker representatives. |
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| Where formal joint management–worker health and safety committees exist, a description of their responsibilities, meeting frequency, decision-making authority, and whether and, if so, why any workers are not represented by these committees |
The Zgounder Silver Mine has the following worker-management committees: 1- Safety Governance Committee composed of heads and representatives of each different department and workers. 2- Service Safety Sub-Committee composed of management and workers from each department. Both of these committees have the following objectives. a. Lead and manage safety within departments; b. Encourage participation and consult employees on aspects relating to working conditions in order to build a preventative culture at site level; c. Supervise meetings in order to achieve OHS&E objectives; d. Ensure effective communication based on respect and active listening; e. Ensure the involvement and participation of non-managerial employees in the OHS&E approach; f. Establish an effective action plan to improve working conditions, eliminate risky situations and examine the safety behavior of staff. 3-The Health and safety committee is a legally required committee that meets quarterly. |
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| Promotion of Worker Health | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information for employees and for workers who are not employees but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization: | |||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of how the organization facilitates workers’ access to non-occupational medical and healthcare services, and the scope of access provided |
Aya Gold & Silver's primary operation, the Zgounder Silver Mine, is located in the foreign jurisdiction of Morocco. Zgounder workers are covered under Morocco's public health services. |
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| A description of any voluntary health promotion services and programs offered to workers to address major non-work-related health risks, including the specific health risks addressed, and how the organization facilitates workers’ access to these services and programs |
In 2021, the Corporation did not provide any voluntary health promotion services or programs to workers to address major non- work-related health risks. |
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| Prevention and Mitigation of Health & Safety Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| A description of the organization’s approach to preventing or mitigating significant negative occupational health and safety impacts that are directly linked to its operations, products or services by its business relationships, and the related hazards and risks |
Aya Gold & Silver requires new Zgounder Mine hires to undergo medical exams to ensure their fitness for work. Workers performing high-risk activities are required to complete medical tests on a quarterly basis. |
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| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| If the organization has implemented an occupational health and safety management system based on legal requirements and/or recognized standards/guidelines: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The number all workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, who are covered by such H&S system | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
This is an average calculation as the number of contractors varies from month to month at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| i. Percentage of all employees and workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, who are covered by such H&S system; | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. The number of all employees, who are covered by such H&S system that has been internally audited | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Percentage of all employees and workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, who are covered by such H&S system that has been internally audited; | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The number of all employees, who are covered by such H&S system that has been externally audited | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Percentage of all employees and workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, who are covered by such H&S system that has been externally audited; | 0.1927% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Whether and, if so, why any workers have been excluded from this disclosure, including the types of worker excluded |
No workers have been excluded from this disclosure. |
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| Any contextual information necessary to understand how the data have been compiled, i.e., any standards, methodologies, and assumptions used |
The number of all workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization, is an average calculation. The number of contractors varies from month to month at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Work-related Injuries | |||||||||||||||||||
| Injuries - For all employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Number of fatalities as a result of work-related injury | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Rate of fatalities resulting from work-related injury. Note: calculating per 200,000 hours worked | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Number of high-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Rate of high-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) | 0.788 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of recordable work-related injuries | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Rate of recordable work-related injuries | 0.788 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Main types of work-related injury, e.g., confined space, trips, falls, etc. |
The two high-consequence, work-related injuries reported in 2021 relate to activities requiring tool and machines handling, working at height, and internal circulation. |
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| v. Number of hours worked | 507872 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Time Injuries Rate (LTIR) | 1.575 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Injuries - workers who are not employees but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Number of fatalities as a result of work-related injury | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Rate of fatalities resulting from work-related injury. Note: calculating per 200,000 hours | 0.296 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Number of high-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Rate of high-consequence work-related injuries (excluding fatalities) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of recordable work-related injuries | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Rate of recordable work-related injuries | 0.592 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Main types of work-related injury, e.g., confined space, trips, falls, etc. |
The fatality reported in 2021 occurred when a contract employee was working underground. No other personnel were injured in the accident. Following the accident, Aya Gold & Silver enacted a series of mitigation measures including increased awareness of mining hazards for all workers, review of safety procedures, recruitment and hiring of a dedicated underground safety manager and purchase of a remote-controlled scoop to prevent this from reoccurring. The recordable work injuries included activities resulting from tool and machine handling, and falling objects. |
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| v. Number of hours worked | 675238 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Time Injuries Rate (LTIR) | 0.592 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Combined (Employees and non-employees, but controlled by the organization): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Hours Worked | 1183110 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all work-related injuries | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate of work-related injuries | 1.183 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lost Time Injuries Rate (LTIR) | 1.014 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the work-related hazards that pose a risk of high-consequence injury, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. How have these hazards been determined |
Workplace hazards are determined by workplace safety inspections, risk analyses, and incident investigations. |
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| ii. Which of these hazards have caused or contributed to high-consequence injuries during the reporting period |
In this reporting period, the following hazards contributed to high-consequence injuries: 1) Falls; 2) Use of mobile equipment; 3) Energy isolation; 4) Falling objects; 5) Working at heights; and 6) Internal circulation. |
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| iii. Actions taken or underway to eliminate these hazards and minimize risks using the hierarchy of controls |
The following actions were taken to eliminate these hazards: 1) Reinforcement of the HSE department by HSE coordinators; 2) Improvement of collective protective equipment and infrastructure; 3) Introduction of new technologies meeting safety requirements for work at the underground mine; 4) Development and deployment of operational standards and procedures; and 5) Training and increasing staff awareness. |
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| Report on actions taken or underway to eliminate other work-related hazards and minimize risks using the hierarchy of controls |
Other hazards and their mitigation programs are determined and developed through workplace safety inspections, risk analysis and incident investigation. |
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| Whether and, if so, why any workers have been excluded from this disclosure, including the types of worker excluded, e.g., short-term contractors |
No workers have been excluded from this disclosure. |
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| Disclose any contextual information necessary to understand how the data have been compiled, i.e., any standards, methodologies, and assumptions used |
Aya Gold & Silver used standards and methodologies based on ISO 45001 to compile the data presented in this report. |
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| Work-related Ill-health | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| For all employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The number of fatalities as a result of work-related ill health | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. The number of cases of recordable work-related ill health | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The main types of work-related ill health | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| For all workers who are not employees, but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organization: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The number of fatalities as a result of work-related ill health | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. The number of cases of recordable work-related ill health | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The main types of work-related ill health | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| The work-related hazards that pose a risk of ill health, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. How these hazards have been determined |
Ill health hazards are determined through H&S risk assessments. |
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| ii. Which of these hazards have caused or contributed to cases of ill health during the reporting period |
No cases of ill health hazards were recorded in this reporting period. |
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| iv. Whether and, if so, why any workers have been excluded from this disclosure, including the types of worker excluded |
No workers under the operational control of Aya Gold & Silver at the Zgounder Silver Mine were excluded from this report. |
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| Workforce Health and Safety | |||||||||||||||||||
| For U.S.-based workforce (full-time employees and contract employees), the entity shall disclose: | |||||||||||||||||||
| For non-U.S.-based workforce (full-time employees and contract employees), the entity shall disclose: | |||||||||||||||||||
| All-Incidence Rate (AIR) for full-time employees based on U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Form 7000-1, where incidents include: | 272 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Fatalities, or work-related injuries resulting in death to employees on active mine property - full-time employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Nonfatal, Days Lost (NFDL) cases, or occupational injuries that result in loss of one or more days from the entity’s scheduled work or days of limited or restricted activity while at work - full-time employees | 661 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3. No Days Lost (NDL) cases, or occurrences requiring only medical treatment (beyond first aid); that is, non-fatal injury occurrences resulting only in loss of consciousness or medical treatment other than first aid - full-time employees | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fatality rate for full-time employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| All-Incidence Rate (AIR) for contract employees based on U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Form 7000-1, where incidents include: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1. Fatalities, or work-related injuries resulting in death to employees on active mine property - contract employees | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2. Nonfatal, Days Lost (NFDL) cases, or occupational injuries that result in loss of one or more days from the entity’s scheduled work or days of limited or restricted activity while at work - contract employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3. No Days Lost (NDL) cases, or occurrences requiring only medical treatment (beyond first aid); that is, non-fatal injury occurrences resulting only in loss of consciousness or medical treatment other than first aid - contract employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fatality rate for contract employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the near miss frequency rate (NMFR) for work-related near misses - full-time employees: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Full-time employees - number of unplanned incidents in which no property or environmental damage or personal injury occurred, but where damage or personal injury easily could have occurred but for a slight circumstantial shift | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contract employees - number of unplanned incidents in which no property or environmental damage or personal injury occurred, but where damage or personal injury easily could have occurred but for a slight circumstantial shift | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Occupational Health and Safety | |||||||||||||||||||
| Safety Training | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the average number of training hours provided to its workforce for health, safety, and emergency management training. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours of health, safety, and emergency response training for (a) full-time/direct employees: | 1.59 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours of health, safety, and emergency response training for (b) contract employees: | 1.77 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Training and Education | |||||||||||||||||||
| Annual Training | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the average hours of training that the organization’s employees have undertaken during the reporting period | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. By gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average training hours per employee | 1.68 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of training hours provided to all employees | 872 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of employees | 519 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average training hours per male employee | 1.709 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of training hours provided to male employees | 856 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of male employees | 501 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average training hours per female employee | 0.889 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of training hours provided to female employees | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of female employees | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average training hours per non-binary employee | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of training hours provided to non-binary employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of non-binary employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Report the average training hours of employees by employee category | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Management: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Male | 0.889 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Female | 0.889 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours under 30 years of age | 2.182 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours between 30 and 50 years of age | 0.276 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours over 50 years of age | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salaried (excluding Senior Management): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours under 30 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours between 30 and 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Technical Employees (skilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Male | 0.558 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Female | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Non-binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours under 30 years of age | 1.143 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours between 30 and 50 years of age | 0.571 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Production Employees (unskilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Male | 2.333 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Non-Binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours under 30 years of age | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours between 30 and 50 years of age | 2.851 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours over 50 years of age | 2.24 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contractors: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Male | 1.771 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours Non-Binary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours under 30 years of age | 1.776 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours between 30 and 50 years of age | 1.772 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Average hours over 50 years of age | 1.762 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Skills Upgrading Programs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the type and scope of programs implemented and assistance provided to upgrade employee skills |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver conducted an assessment into the need to implement programs to upgrade employee skills. However, due to the scale and speed at which new employees were being added, it was decided to postpone the programs to 2022. The only training programs implemented in 2021 were related to Health & Safety procedures. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Report on transition assistance programs provided to facilitate continued employability and the management of career endings resulting from retirement or termination of employment |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver assessed the need to implement transition assistance programs in order to facilitate continued employability. However, due to the scale and speed at which new employees were being added, the Corporation decided to postpone these programs to 2022. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Reviews | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of total employees by gender and by employee category who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. By gender: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of all employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 8.6705% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented performance reviews solely for management. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all employees | 519 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of all male employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 7.1856% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all male employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all male employees | 501 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of all female employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 50.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all female employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all female employees | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of all non-binary employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all non-binary employees who received a regular performance and career development review during the reporting period | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of all non-binary employees | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diversity and Equal Opportunity | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Report the percentage of employees per employee category in each of the following diversity categories | |||||||||||||||||||
| Board of Directors: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Board of Directors | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 85.7143% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 14.2857% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Management: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Senior Managers | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 80.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 20.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 24.4444% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 64.4444% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 11.1111% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of minority or vulnerable groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salaried (excluding Senior Management): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Middle Managers | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 76.1905% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 23.8095% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 33.3333% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 52.3810% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 14.2857% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of minority or vulnerable groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Technical Employees (skilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Technical Employees | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 91.4894% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 8.5106% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 29.7872% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 59.5745% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 10.6383% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of minority or vulnerable groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Production Employees (unskilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Production Employees | 144 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 22.2222% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 60.4167% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 17.3611% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of minority or vulnerable groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contractors: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total Contractors | 262 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Male | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Female | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent Non-Binary | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Percent under 30 years of age | 22.1374% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent between 30 and 50 years of age | 61.8321% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percent over 50 years of age | 16.0305% | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Number of minority or vulnerable groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salary Ratio Between Genders | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the ratio of the basic salary and remuneration of women to men for each employee category, by significant locations of operation | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Management: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Male to Female | 1.272 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male | 0.786 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male under 30 years of age | 0.782 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male between 30 and 50 years of age | 1.131 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Salaried (excluding Senior Management): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Male to Female | 0.946 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male | 1.057 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male under 30 years of age | 1.206 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male between 30 and 50 years of age | 1.305 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Technical Employees (skilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Male to Female | 0.907 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male | 1.102 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male under 30 years of age | 1.257 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male between 30 and 50 years of age | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male over 50 years of age | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Production Employees (unskilled hourly): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Male to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male under 30 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male between 30 and 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contractors: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Male to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Male | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Non-Binary to Female | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver, as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, values the diversity of its employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male under 30 years of age | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male between 30 and 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ratio Salary Female to Male over 50 years of age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Discrimination | |||||||||||||||||||
| Incidents and Corrective Action | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of incidents of discrimination during the reporting period: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Race | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gender | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Religion | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Political Opinion | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| National Extraction (place of birth) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Social Origin (social class /social caste) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Age | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disability | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Migrant Status (foreign birth, foreign citizenship, moving temporarily into a new country) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HIV/AIDS | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sexual Orientation (LGBTQQIP2SAA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S), androgynous and asexual. Two-spirit is term used by some indigenous North Americans to describe those who fulfil a traditional third-gender ceremonial role). | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Genetic Predisposition (an increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person's genetic makeup) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lifestyle (healthy diet, not smoking, minimizing alcohol use) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the status of the incidents and actions taken with reference to the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Incident reviewed by the organization |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not record any incidents or corrective actions with regard to non-discrimination across its operations. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Child Labour | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operations and Suppliers At Risk | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose operations and suppliers considered to have significant risk for incidents of: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Child labour |
In 2021, child labour was not considered a risk at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Young workers exposed to hazardous work |
In 2021, young workers were not exposed to hazardous work as child labour is not considered a risk at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose operations and suppliers considered to have significant risk for incidents of child labour either in terms of: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Type of operation (i.e., manufacturing plant) and supplier |
In 2021, neither Zgounder Silver Mine operations nor its suppliers were considered to be significant risks for incidents of child labour. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Forced or Compulsory Labour | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operations and Suppliers At Risk | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information . | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose operations and suppliers considered to have significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor either in terms of: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Type of operation (i.e., manufacturing plant) and supplier |
In 2021, forced or compulsory labour was not considered a risk at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Security, Human Rights and Rights of Indigenous People | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify the countries of operations within the World Bank's list of “Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations” | None | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the nature of any social risks, for all operating countries, that could have a material risk to operations |
In 2021, social risks were not considered significant at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of proved reserves that are located in or near areas of active conflict: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of proved reserves | 28700 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Proven reserves in tonnes. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Grade of proved reserves located in or near areas of active conflict |
As per the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, the Zgounder Silver Mine does not operate in or near an area of active conflict. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of probable reserves that are located in or near areas of active conflict: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of probable reserves | 42100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Probable reserves provided in ounces. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Grade of probable reserves locate in or near areas of active conflict |
As per the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, the Zgounder Silver Mine does not operate in or near areas of active conflict. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of inferred, indicated and measured reserves that are located in or near areas of active conflict: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of inferred, indicated and/or measured reserves | 102447 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of proved reserves that are located in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples’ land: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of proved reserves | 28700 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Grade of proved reserves locate in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples’ land |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not operate in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples' land. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of probable reserves that are located in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples’ land: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| The total amount of probable reserves | 42100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Grade of probable reserves locate in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples’ land |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not operate in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples' land. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of inferred, indicated and measured reserves that are located in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples’ land: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total amount of inferred, indicated and measured reserves | 102447 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe due diligence practices and procedures with respect to indigenous rights of communities in which it operates or intends to operate |
The Zgounder Silver Mine does not operate in or near areas that are considered to be indigenous peoples' land. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Describe its due diligence practices and procedures with respect to human rights |
Aya Gold & Silver has not conducted a complete human rights due diligence exercise for the Zgounder Silver Mine. However, the Corporation has identified and remediated its risks. For example, Aya Gold & Silver requested clarification of land tenure from authorities in the Kingdom of Morocco to ensure this right was respected. The Corporation will evaluate the need for further due diligence in human rights in the future. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Human Rights | |||||||||||||||||||
| Indigenous Rights | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting entity shall disclose: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the number of sites on or adjacent to indigenous territories | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rights of Indigenous Peoples | |||||||||||||||||||
| Incidents of Violations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of identified incidents of violations involving the rights of indigenous peoples during the reporting period | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Human Rights Assessment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operations Reviews and Assessments | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number and percentage of operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or human rights impact assessments, by country: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or human rights impact assessments | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total percentage of operations that have been subject to human rights reviews or human rights impact assessments, by country | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employee Training on Human Rights Policies | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of hours and percentage in the reporting period devoted to training on human rights policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number of hours in the reporting period devoted to training on human rights policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of employees trained during the reporting period in human rights policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Contracts and Agreements | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the total number and percentage of significant investment agreements and contracts that include human rights clauses or that underwent human rights screening: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of agreements that include human rights clauses or underwent human rights screening | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Local Communities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operations with Local Community | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of operations with implemented local community engagement, impact assessments, and/or development programs: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of operations with social impact assessments, including gender impact assessments, based on participatory processes | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Has (Have) the operation(s) incuded the use of the following: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Social impact assessments, including gender impact assessments, based on participatory processes; | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Environmental impact assessments and ongoing monitoring | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Public disclosure of results of environmental and social impact assessments | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Local community development programs based on local communities’ needs | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Stakeholder engagement plans based on stakeholder mapping | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Broad based local community consultation committees and processes that include vulnerable groups | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Works councils, occupational health and safety committees and other worker representation bodies to deal with impacts | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. Formal local community grievance processes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant disputes relating to land use, customary rights of local communities and indigenous peoples |
The status of the land where the Zgounder Silver Mine is located was not clearly defined in the past. However, recently the Moroccan state declared this land as land collectively owned by local villages. More than 40% of Morocco’s land is held collectively by villages. The State via the Ministry of Interior is the trustee of collectively owned land. |
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To avoid confusion, Aya Gold & Silver approached the Ministry of Interior to clarify the land tenure status of the mine. After a due process that included consultation with village representatives conducted by the government, without the Corporation's participation or influence, on March 2, 2022, the Ministry of Interior invited Aya Gold & Silver to sign a lease agreement with the government for the required land use. The agreement, which is for 9 years, allows for indefinite renewals provided the Corporation gives the government a 6- month prior notice of intent to renew. |
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| Number of significant disputes relating to land use, customary rights of local communities and indigenous peoples | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Description of significant disputes relating to land use, customary rights of local communities and indigenous peoples |
The status of the land where the Zgounder Silver Mine is located was not clearly defined in the past. However, recently the Moroccan state declared this land as collective land owned by local villages. More than 40% of Morocco’s land is held collectively. The State via the Ministry of Interior is the trustee of collectively owned land. |
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| The extent to which grievance mechanisms were used to resolve disputes relating to land use, customary rights of local communities and indigenous peoples, and the outcomes |
In observance of customary decision-making processes, Aya Gold & Silver's grievance mechanism has been established in collaboration with local authorities. |
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As per this process, local authorities receive grievances and forward them to the Corporation. The community relations team at the Zgounder Silver Mine, in conjunction with local authorities, investigate the grievance and resolve as required. In addition, local authorities can set up independent, ad hoc dispute-resolution committees to investigate the grievance and provide a response and resolution. |
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| Operations With Negative Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report operations with significant actual and potential negative impacts on local communities, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Identify the location of the operations | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. List the factors that could cause significant actual and potential negative impacts to local communities and provide details about vulnerabilities and risks to the communities from these factors, including intensity, likely duration, reversibility and scale of impact. |
• Physical or economic isolation of the local community • Use of hazardous substances that impact the environment and human health in general, and specifically impact reproductive health • Natural resource consumption |
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The Zgounder Silver Mine utilizes hazardous substances in its processing plant, requires water consumption, and is the major employer in the region. All of the impacts described are reversible and have a low to medium impact. Aya Gold & Silver has implemented controls and safeguards for hazardous material transportation and management. The company is monitoring its water usage and consumption, and has made efforts to employ as many workers from local communities. In 2021, 45% of the Zgounder Silver Mine workforce resided in local villages. Only 1% of the mine's workforce are expats. |
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| Community Relations | |||||||||||||||||||
| Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of company operating sites where artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) takes place on, or adjacent to, the site (not controlled by company/unauthorized): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of company operating sites where artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) takes place on, or adjacent to, the site | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Programs | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report on community relations programs, objectives and achievements in the past 3 years |
Aya Gold & Silver aims to share the benefits of responsible mining and ensure that we leave positive socio-economic and environmental legacies in the areas in which we operate. |
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In addition to local procurement and local employment, the Corporation's CSR plan is expected to help build mutually beneficial relationships between the Aya Gold & Silver and its local stakeholders by contributing to long-term improvements in the quality of life of local communities, and helping to create an environment conducive to private investment. At the Zgounder Silver Mine, the Corporation is concentrating its efforts and its development strategy on income-generating activities (IGAs), education, health, and access to water. |
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| Discuss the processes, procedures, and practices to manage risks and opportunities associated with the rights and interests of communities in areas where it conducts business |
National legislation in Morocco does not require a CSR strategy or community development. However, Aya Gold & Silver strives to comply with international best practices, such as International Finance Corporation (IFC) guidelines. In the spirit of best practices, the Corporation has developed a framework of collaboration with local authorities. |
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This framework includes the following methodology: i. Choice of projects CSR projects will be chosen according to the following criteria: Aligned with the strategic axes defined by the Corporation; Aligned with the strategic axes of Morocco defined by the INDH; Aligned with the recommendations of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Zgounder Silver Mine expansion project. ii. Consultation The Corporation will undertake consultations with the relevant delegations and institutions for each project developed. iii. Communication and reporting The Corporation will communicate its CSR strategy, program development and execution performance monitoring with local authorities on a quarterly basis. An annual report will be produced summarizing the actions carried out by Aya Gold & Silver. |
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| Risks | |||||||||||||||||||
| The entity shall discuss its processes, procedures, and practices to manage risks and opportunities associated with the rights and interests of communities in areas where it conducts business, where community rights and interests include: |
Aya Gold & Silver's CSR strategy aims to be a vehicle for sharing the benefits of responsible mining and ensuring a legacy of positive socio- economic and environmental impact in the areas in which we operate. In addition to local procurement and local employment, the plan is expected to help build mutually beneficial relationships between the Corporation and its local stakeholders, bringing about long-term improvement in the quality of life of local communities. and helping create an environment conducive to private investment. |
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Aya Gold & Silver wishes to concentrate its efforts and its development strategy on the areas of income-generating activities (IGAs), education, health, and access to water. |
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| Economic rights and interests, including, but not limited to, employment, fair wages, payment transparency, national resource governance, and respect of infrastructure and agricultural land. |
Aya Gold & Silver respects and abides by the Kingdom of Morocco's national legislation on labour as follows: |
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|
1) Code du Travail (loi n°65-99) 2) Dahir n° 1-60-007 du 5 rejeb 1380 (24 décembre1960) portant statut du personnel des entreprises minières. |
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| Environmental rights and interests, including, but not limited to clean local air and water, as well as safe discharge and disposal of waste. |
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was conducted in 2021 in order to update the environmental and social baselines and assess potential impacts. The result is an Environmental and Social Management Plan that provides mitigation and control measures to protect the environment and social rights and interests. |
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During the ESIA process, water, air emissions (dust) and hazardous materials were identified as potential risks to the environment. Aya Gold & Silver has developed mitigation controls and management plans for these potential impacts. |
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| Social rights and interests, including, but not limited to adequate health care, education, and housing. |
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was conducted in 2021 in order to update the environmental and social baselines and assess potential impacts. The result is an Environmental and Social Management Plan that provides mitigation and control measures to protect the environment and social rights and interests. |
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The ESIA-updated analysis identified community health and safety in addition to local employment and economic opportunities as potential social risks and interests. Aya Gold & Silver is aligning its environmental-social management plans to the results from its extensive consultation process with villages through their local authorities. |
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| Cultural rights and interests, including, but not limited to protection of places of cultural significance (e.g., sacred sites or burial sites). |
Sacred sites are managed by the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Morocco. No sacred sites have been identified in the project footprint of the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| The entity shall disclose the following, where relevant: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecycle stages to which its practices apply |
• Mineral production • During closure • Decommissioning and restoration |
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| The community rights and interests (enumerated above) specifically addressed by the practices. |
Aya Gold & Silver is concentrating its efforts on managing two primary rights and interests: 1) Community health and safety and; 2) Local employment and economic opportunities. |
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| The underlying references for its procedures, including whether they are codes, guidelines, standards, or regulations and whether they were developed by the entity, an industry organization, a third-party organization (e.g., a non-governmental organization), a governmental agency, or some combination of these groups. |
Aya Gold & Silver develops and implements its procedures internally based on the experience of its HSEC managers and IFC Performance Standards. |
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|
These procedures reference IFC and ICMM guidelines and documentation. |
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| Risks associated with community relations include: | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver monitors and closely manages its water withdrawal and usage to avoid potential impacts derived from the use of this shared resource. In 2021, as a result of the ESIA, the Corporation improved the water efficiency plans for its expanded mine and processing plant project to avoid consuming additional shared resources. |
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| Opportunities | |||||||||||||||||||
| The entity shall discuss its processes, procedures, and practices to manage risks and opportunities associated with the rights and interests of communities in areas where it conducts business, where community rights and interests include: |
National legislation in Morocco does not require a CSR strategy or community development. However, in addition to local procurement and local employment, the Corporation's CSR plan is expected to help build mutually beneficial relationships between the Aya Gold & Silver and its local stakeholders by contributing to long-term improvements in the quality of life of local communities, and helping to create an environment conducive to private investment. Please refer to the attached document. |
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| Community Relations: Processes, Procedures and Practices | |||||||||||||||||||
| Economic rights and interests, including, but not limited to, employment, fair wages, payment transparency, national resource governance, and respect of infrastructure and agricultural land. |
Aya Gold & Silver respects and abides by the Kingdom of Morocco's national legislation on labour as follows: |
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|
1) Code du Travail (loi n°65-99) 2) Dahir n° 1-60-007 du 5 rejeb 1380 (24 décembre1960) portant statut du personnel des entreprises minières |
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| Environmental rights and interests, including, but not limited to clean local air and water, as well as safe discharge and disposal of waste. |
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was conducted in 2021 in order to update Aya Gold & Silver's knowledge of the environmental and social baseline and to assess potential impacts. |
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|
The result is an Environmental and Social Management Plan that is designed to provide mitigation and control measures to protect environment and social rights and interests. |
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| Social rights and interests, including, but not limited to adequate health care, education, and housing. |
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was conducted in 2021 in order to update the Corporation's knowledge of the environmental and social baseline and assess potential impacts. The result is an Environmental and Social Management Plan that is designed to provide mitigation and control measures to protect environment and social rights and interests. |
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| Cultural rights and interests, including, but not limited to protection of places of cultural significance (e.g., sacred sites or burial sites). |
Sacred sites are managed by the Ministry of Interior in the Kingdom of Morocco. No sacred sites have been identified in the project footprint of the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| The entity shall disclose the following, where relevant: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Lifecycle stages to which its practices apply |
• Mineral production • During closure • Decommissioning and restoration |
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| The community rights and interests (enumerated above) specifically addressed by the practices. |
The Environmental and Social Management Plans that resulted from the 2021 ESIA for the Zgounder Silver Mine expansion project include the following rights and interests: |
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|
1) Economic rights and interests, including, but not limited to employment, fair wages, payment transparency, national resource governance, and respect of infrastructure and agricultural land. 2) Environmental rights and interests, including, but not limited to clean local air and water, as well as safe discharge and disposal of waste. 3) Social rights and interests, including, but not limited to adequate job creation, health care, education, and housing. |
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| The underlying references for its procedures, including whether they are codes, guidelines, standards, or regulations and whether they were developed by the entity, an industry organization, a third-party organization (e.g., a non-governmental organization), a governmental agency, or some combination of these groups. |
Aya Gold & Silver develops and implements its procedures internally based on the experience with its HSEC management and IFC Performance Standards. |
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|
The underlying references for its procedures are aligned with IFC and ICMM available guidelines and documentation. |
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| Opportunities associated with community relations include: | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
At the Zgounder Silver Mine, Aya Gold & Silver has implemented local recruitment programs that have resulted in a 45% local workforce. The Corporation has also signed a collaboration agreement with local authorities to foster programs that will increase economic opportunities for villages and promote programs that allow villages to prepare for emergencies within their communities. |
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| Risks and Opportunities | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the degree to which its policies and practices are aligned with the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability, January 1, 2012, including specifically: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Standard 4 — Community Health, Safety, and Security |
The breadth, depth, and type of analysis is proportionate to the nature and scale of the proposed project’s risks to and potential impacts on the health and safety of the local community |
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| Performance Standard 5 — Land Acquisition and Involuntary Resettlement | 100% aligned | ||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Standard 8 — Cultural Heritage | 100% aligned | ||||||||||||||||||
| The discussion shall include how practices apply to business partners, i.e., contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and joint venture partners |
Aya Gold & Silver's HSEC policy and corporate standards are shared with suppliers, as well as the Zgounder Silver Mine's Environmental and Social Management Plan that is included in the 2022 ESIA. In the future, and specifically as per the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project, Aya will develop a Health & Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) Management Plan to be shared with all contractors and suppliers involved in the construction of the Project. The HSEC Management Plan will summarize and cite all of Aya's existing applicable practices and will be shared during the tendering process. The HSEC Management Plan, along all other management plans related to the Project's construction, will serve as contractual obligations. |
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Cyanide providers are all registered with the International Cyanide Management Code. The ESMP and ESIA will be shared with suppliers for the Zgounder Silver Mine expansion project as well. |
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| Describe efforts to eliminate or mitigate community risks and/or address community concerns: | |||||||||||||||||||
| The use of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that evaluates, manages, and mitigates risks | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Efforts to engage with stakeholders, build consensus, and collaborate with communities | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| “Shared” or “blended” value projects that provide quantifiable benefits to the community and the entity | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7.2.1 Discuss how the site risks differ and manifest themselves from country (national), regional (state), community (local) levels, and project levels |
Water is the Zgounder Silver Mine's primary risk. In terms of ESG, this risk is shared with local villages and the Kingdom of Morocco. |
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| 7.2.2 Sites that are affected by Sovereign Risk (defined as the potential for a central bank or government-backed entity to willingly or unwillingly default on debt obligations, or significantly alter key economic variables, i.e., currency exchange rates, import ratios, and money supply): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Site 1 | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7.3 The organization should identify and describe country risks specific to its projects and unique operating context | |||||||||||||||||||
| 7.2 and 7.3.1 The organization will include the identification of country, regional, community and site risks and/or the discussion of specific projects: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risks | General license to operate | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7.3.2 Discuss how the entity has mitigated these risks (e.g., through community engagement partnerships, and blended value projects); the entity shall quantify this reduction in risk according to the methods described above (reduction in Value at Risk): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risk Mitigation |
In addition to its ESIA management for risk identification and mitigation, Aya Gold & Silver has developed social management processes and procedures aligned with international best practices and local customs. These have generated efficient procedures for dispute resolutions and alliances for social investment that can potentially outlast the life of mine. |
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| 7.3.3 The organization will disclose the country risk classification applied | |||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total number of site shutdowns or project delays due to non-technical factors. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Disclose the total aggregate duration (in days) of site shutdowns or project delays due to non-technical factors. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Resettlement | |||||||||||||||||||
| Have there been community resettlements in order to accommodate business activities and if so, please provide details about the specific sites. | No | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Zgounder Silver Mine did not require any village resettlement. Economic displacement was compensated after a thorough due diligence conducted by Aya Gold & Silver through the ESIA and the Moroccan Ministry of Interior. The Corporation signed an economic compensation agreement with the Ministry of the Interior and has also signed an agreement of collaboration with local authorities to promote economic development in villages affected by the economic displacement. |
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| Economic Performance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Economic Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information. When compiling the information specified in Disclosure 201-1, the reporting organization shall, if applicable, compile the EVG&D from data in the organization’s audited financial or profit and loss (P&L) statement, or its internally audited management accounts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Direct economic value generated and distributed (EVG&D) on an accruals basis, including the basic components for the organization’s global operations as listed below. If data are presented on a cash basis, report the justification for this decision in addition to reporting the following basic components | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Direct Economic Value Generated (EVG): Revenues ($ Millions) | 34301914 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Economic Value Distributed (EVD or D): operating costs, employee wages and benefits payments to providers of capital, payments to government by country, and community investments (expenses) ($ Millions) | 31629315 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Costs ($ Millions) | 26675908 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Employee wages ($ Millions) | 1747006 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benefits payments to providers of capital ($ Millions) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Payments to government by country ($ Millions) | 3021411 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Payments made to Moroccan government - 2,516,478 Payments made to Mauritanian government - 504,933 |
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| Community investments (expenses) ($ Millions) | 184990 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Economic value retained ($ Millions): | 2672599 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Direct economic value generated ($ Millions) | 34301914 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Economic distributed ($ Millions) | 31629315 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Economic Value Generated and Distributed | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report countries of operation that are either candidate to or compliant with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
|
For this purpose of this report, Aya Gold & Silver is only disclosing information on its Zgounder Silver Mine located in the Kingdom of Morocco. The host government is not an EITI signatory. |
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| Financial Implications | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risk 1 - Risks posed by climate change that have the potential to generate substantive changes in operations, revenue, or expenditure, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. A description of the risk and its classification as either physical, regulatory, or other |
Direct Short-term Physical - changes in sea level, ambient temperature, and water availability |
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| ii. A description of the impact associated with the risk | Increased capital and operational costs | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The financial implications of the risk before action is taken ($ Millions) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. The methods used to manage the risk | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
As part of its corporate risk management system, Aya Gold & Silver has invested in infrastructure to capture and store water during the rainy season in order to offset potential loss due to an extended or excessively dry season at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| v. The costs of actions taken to manage the risk ($ Millions). Note: if the reporting organization does not have a system in place to calculate the financial implications or costs, or to make revenue projections, it shall report its plans and timeline to develop the necessary systems to do so. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit and Retirement Plans | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| If the plan’s liabilities are met by the organization’s general resources, the estimated value of those liabilities | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver is subscribed to a retirement plan in which the employee and the Corporation contribute on a monthly basis in order towards the employee's retirement. |
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| If a separate fund exists to pay the plan’s pension liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The extent to which the scheme’s liabilities are estimated to be covered by the assets that have been set aside to meet them |
Pensions are managed by a pension fund belonging to an external organization. |
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| ii. The basis on which that estimate has been arrived at | Contributions are a percentage of salary. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. When that estimate was made | 2021-01-01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of salary contributed by the organization (employer) | 9.0514% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Level of participation, as a percentage, in retirement plans: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Voluntary schemes (%) | 98 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mandatory schemes (%) | 100 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Regional, country-based schemes, or other - please specify. | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Government Financial Assistance | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information by country: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total monetary value of financial assistance received by the organization from any government during the reporting period, including ($ Millions): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Tax relief and tax credits | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Subsidies | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Investment grants, research and development grants, and other relevant types of grant | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Awards; | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Royalty holidays | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Financial assistance from Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Financial incentives | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
1) Corporate tax rate is capped at 20% applicable to exporting (and mining) companies, instead of 31% according to the normal scale. 2) Suspensive regime for exporting companies according to which the company can make certain local purchases previously authorized, without VAT. |
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| viii. Other financial benefits received or receivable from any government for any operation | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Whether, and the extent to which, any government is present in the shareholding structure |
Through ONHYM (Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines), the Moroccan government holds 15% of the capital of ZMSM and BGM. |
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| Market Presence | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wage Ratios in the Market | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| When most employees are compensated subject to minimum wage rules, report the ratio of the entry level wage by gender at significant locations of operation to the minimum wage | |||||||||||||||||||
| Site 1- Male: | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Site 1 - Female: | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Site 1 - Non-binary: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
No employees at the Zgounder Silver Mine have self-identified as non-binary. Aya Gold & Silver as part of its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct values the diversity of our employees and is committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. |
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| If a local minimum wage is absent or variable, reference which minimum wage is being used (by gender): | |||||||||||||||||||
| Male | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Female | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-binary | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| The definition used for ‘significant locations of operation’ |
In this report, Aya Gold & Silver is only disclosing information relative to its Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Management Representation | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of senior management at significant locations of operation that are hired from the local community: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| The definition used for ‘senior management’ |
People who have decision-making powers and who are experts in their field of activity. |
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| The organization’s geographical definition of ‘local’ |
Local refers to the immediate villages around the mine, within an approximate50km radius. |
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| The definition used for ‘significant locations of operation’ | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
| In significant locations of operation, report proportion (percentage) of the facility’s total workforce from the local community. | 45.1362% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Indirect Economic Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| Infrastructure Investments and Services Supported | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Extent of development of significant infrastructure investments and services supported |
In 2021, through its collaboration agreement with local authorities, the Corporation provided in-kind assistance to help refurbish local roads. |
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| Current or expected impacts on communities and local economies, including positive impacts where relevant |
The aid provided in 2021 improved transit between villages. |
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| Types of investments | In-Kind | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Indirect Economic Impacts | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Examples of significant positive indirect economic impacts of the organization |
• Economic development in areas of high poverty (such as changes in the total number of dependents supported through the income of a single job) • Economic impacts of improving or deteriorating social or environmental conditions (such as changing job market in an area converted from small farms to large plantations, or the economic impacts of pollution) • Availability of products and services for those on low incomes (such as preferential pricing of pharmaceuticals, which contributes to a healthier population that can participate more fully in the economy, or pricing structures that exceed the economic capacity of those on low incomes) • Enhanced skills and knowledge in a professional community or in a geographic location (such as when shifts in an organization’ s needs attract additional skilled workers to an area, who, in turn, drive a local need for new learning institutions) • Number of jobs supported in the supply or distribution chain (such as the employment impacts on suppliers as a result of an organization’s growth or contraction) • Economic impacts from the use of products and services (such as economic growth resulting from the use of a particular product or service) |
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| Examples of significant negative indirect economic impacts of the organization |
Economic impacts from the use of products and services (such as economic growth resulting from the use of a particular product or service) |
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| Significance of the indirect economic impacts in the context of external benchmarks and stakeholder priorities, i.e., national and international standards, protocols, and policy agendas |
The positive indirect economic impacts of the presence of the Zgounder Silver Mine align with local and national interests for economic stimulation. |
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|
Aya Gold & Silver is monitoring the potential increase in indirect local economic demands to determine the potential level of impact on increased costs of goods and services as a result of market demand. |
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| Procurement Practices | |||||||||||||||||||
| Local Spending | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the percentage of the procurement budget used for significant locations of operation that is spent on suppliers local to that operation (i.e., percentage of products and services purchased locally): | 15.9052% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Supplier Assessment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Suppliers Screened Using Social Criteria | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of new suppliers that were screened using social criteria: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Negative Social Impacts in the Supply Chain | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of suppliers assessed for social impacts | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of suppliers identified as having significant actual and potential negative social impacts | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| List of significant actual and potential negative social impacts identified in the supply chain |
• No harsh and inhumane treatment including any sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of workers, or threat of such treatment • Potential for exposure to safety hazards are to be identified and assessed • Potential emergency situations and events are to be identified and assessed • Procedures and systems are to be in place to prevent, manage, track and report occupational injury and illness • Worker exposure to chemical, biological and physical agents is to be identified, evaluated, and controlled according to the hierarchy of controls • Exposure to the hazards of physically demanding tasks • Production and other machinery shall be evaluated for safety hazards • Workers are to be provided with ready access to clean toilet facilities, potable water and sanitary food preparation, storage, and eating facilities • Provide workers with appropriate workplace health and safety information and training in the language of the worker or in a language the worker can understand for all identified workplace hazards that workers are exposed to • All required environmental permits approvals and registrations are to be obtained, maintained and kept • Emissions and discharges of pollutants and generation of waste are to be minimized or eliminated at the source • Chemicals and other materials posing a hazard to humans or the environment are to be identified, labelled and managed • Implement a systematic approach to identify, manage, reduce, and responsibly dispose of or recycle solid waste (non- hazardous) • Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements regarding prohibition or restriction of specific substances • implement a water management program that documents, characterizes, and monitors water sources, use and discharge • Highest standards of integrity are to be upheld in all business interactions • Bribes or improper advantage prohibited • Business dealings should be transparently performed and accurately reflected • Ensure the confidentiality, anonymity and protection of supplier and employee whistleblowers • Commitment to compliance and continual improvement • Senior management reviews the status of the management system on a regular basis • Process to identify, monitor and understand applicable laws, regulations and customer requirements • Process to identify the legal compliance, environmental, health and safety and labor practice and ethics risks associated with operations • Effective grievance mechanism, to assess employees’ understanding of and obtain feedback • Process for timely correction of deficiencies identified by internal or external assessments • Creation and maintenance of documents and records to ensure regulatory compliance • Process to communicate conduct code requirements to suppliers and monitor compliance |
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| Locations of suppliers | Morocco | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, all of Aya Gold & Silver's contractors for the Zgounder Silver mine were located in the Kingdom of Morocco. Highly specialized goods and services may also be purchased from other locations worldwide. |
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| Socio-Economic Compliance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Compliance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report significant fines and non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with laws and/or regulations in the social and economic area in terms of: | Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total monetary value of significant fines | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total number of non-monetary sanctions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Cases brought through dispute resolution mechanisms | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| If the organization has not identified any non-compliance with laws and/or regulations, a brief statement of this fact is sufficient |
In 2021, Aya Gold and Silver was in compliance with all legally mandated social and economic obligations for its Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Governance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Climate Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Oversight | |||||||||||||||||||
| Is there board-level oversight of climate-related issues within your organization | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Responsibility | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide the highest management-level position(s) or committee(s) with responsibility for climate-related issues: | Other committee, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's ESG Committee is responsible for overseeing climate-related issues. |
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| Nature of primary responsibility |
Assessing climate-related risks and opportunities |
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| Reporting | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency of reporting to the board on climate-related issues | Annually | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incentives | |||||||||||||||||||
| Do you provide incentives for the management of climate-related issues, including the attainment of targets | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Key management is awarded incentives for water management at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Risk and Opportunity Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Does your organization have a process for identifying, assessing, and responding to climate-related risks and opportunities | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
For the Zgounder Silver Mine, Aya Gold & Silver aligns its climate-change management strategies with the continuous feedback from investors and rating agencies. |
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| Risk Assessments | |||||||||||||||||||
| Have you identified any inherent climate-related risks with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on your business | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide details of identified risks in your direct operations with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on your business, and your response to those risks | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risk 1: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Where in the value chain does the risk driver occur | Direct operations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Risk type and primary driver |
Chronic Physical - Changes in precipitation patterns and extreme variability in weather patterns |
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| Time horizon of risk | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
| From short-term to long-term. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Likelihood of impact | Very likely | ||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation |
Stoppage of operations due to change in weather pattern and less precipitation. |
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| Primary potential financial impact | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The primary potential financial impact of a reduced water supply would be lower production output and higher operating costs. |
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| Cost of response to risk and description |
In 2021, Aya Gold and Silver's primary response to water scarcity was to invest more capital in water retention infrastructure in order to capitalize on the excess water in rainy seasons. In 2021, Aya invested USD 694,373.00 in response to the risk of change in precipitation. |
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| Opportunity Assessments | |||||||||||||||||||
| Have you identified any climate-related opportunities with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on your business | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Have climate-related risks and opportunities influenced your organization’s strategy and/or financial planning |
Yes, and we have developed a low-carbon transition plan |
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| Water Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quality and Quantity Dependency | |||||||||||||||||||
| Rate the importance (current and future) of freshwater quality and quantity to the success of your business: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Direct use importance rating | Vital | ||||||||||||||||||
| Indirect use importance rating | Important | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rate the importance (current and future) of sufficient quantity of recycled, brackish and/or produced water for the success of your business: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Direct use importance rating | Neutral | ||||||||||||||||||
| Indirect use importance rating | Neutral | ||||||||||||||||||
| Risk Assessments | |||||||||||||||||||
| Does your organization undertake a water-related risk assessment | Yes, water-related risks are assessed | ||||||||||||||||||
| Select the options that best describe your procedures for identifying and assessing water-related risks: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Coverage | Full | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Risk Assessment Procedure |
Water risks are assessed as part of an enterprise risk management framework |
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| iii. Frequency of Risk Assessment | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver assessed water-related risks during the development of the NI 43-101 Feasibility Study for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project. The assessment covers the life of mine. |
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| iv. How far into the future are risks considered | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver assessed water-related risks during the development of the NI-43101 Feasibility Study for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project. The assessment covers the remaining life of mine. |
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| Have you identified any inherent water-related risks with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on operations | Yes, only within our direct operations | ||||||||||||||||||
| Provide details of identified risks in your direct operations with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on your business, and your response to those risks | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risk 1: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of risk | Physical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Primary risk driver |
Physical - Seasonal supply variability/inter annual variability |
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| Primary potential impact | Reduction or disruption in production capacity | ||||||||||||||||||
| Risk timeframe | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable to Life of Mine | |||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of potential impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Likelihood of potential impact | More likely than not | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation |
Potential reduction in production capacity due to water shortage, estimated at a maximum reduction of 30% or USD 10.5M of revenue per annum. |
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| Primary response | Increase capital expenditure | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of response and description of response |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver's primary response to water scarcity was to increase CAPEX on water retention infrastructure in order to capitalize on the excess water in rainy seasons. Cost of USD 700,000 to construct 60,000 m3 water retention basin in 2021 (Completed in 2022) |
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| Risk 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of risk | Physical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Primary risk driver |
Physical - Acid rock drainage and metal leaching (metals & mining sector only) |
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| Primary potential impact | Loss of license to operate | ||||||||||||||||||
| Risk timeframe | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable to Life of Mine | |||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of potential impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Likelihood of potential impact | More likely than not | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation | To be verified | ||||||||||||||||||
| Primary response | Improve monitoring | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of response and description of response |
The Corporation's primary response was to implement third-party monitoring of water quality for 15 control points and management committee to discuss and review monitoring results and actions to be taken. Cost of monitoring: USD 45,688 /year. |
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| Risk 3: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of risk | Physical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Primary risk driver |
Physical - Rupture of tailings dams and toxic spills (metals & mining sector only) |
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| Primary potential impact | Fines, penalties or enforcement orders | ||||||||||||||||||
| Risk timeframe | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable to Life of Mine | |||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of potential impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Likelihood of potential impact | Unlikely | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation |
Quantification of the potential impact was not completed in 2021. |
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| Primary response | Increase capital expenditure | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of response and description of response |
In 2020 and 2021, the Corporation's primary response was to spend capital reinforcing tailing dams. Tailings dams were raised and reinforced, and storm water control infrastructure was built. Tailing basin improvements totaled USD 550,000 in 2021 . |
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|
In 2021, a secondary response was to implement third-party quarterly audits on the two TSFs in operation at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Opportunity Assessments | |||||||||||||||||||
| Have you identified any water-related opportunities with the potential to have a substantive financial or strategic impact on your business |
Yes, we have identified opportunities, and some or all are being realized |
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| Opportunity 1: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of opportunity |
Efficiency: Improved water efficiency in operations |
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| Opportunity timeframe | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable to life of mine. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of potential impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation | To be verified | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opportunity 2: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Type of opportunity | Efficiency: Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver has improved its water retention infrastructure to capitalize on excess precipitations during the rainy season. |
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| Opportunity timeframe | More than 6 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Applicable to Life of Mine | |||||||||||||||||||
| Magnitude of potential impact | High | ||||||||||||||||||
| Potential impact financial figure and explanation | To be verified | ||||||||||||||||||
| Responsibility | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide the highest management-level position(s) or committee(s) with responsibility for water-related issues | Other C-Suite Officer, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's VP of Operations is responsible for assessing and managing water- related issues at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Does your organization have a documented water policy | Other, please specify | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver has an HSEC Policy that includes all environmental aspects and performance management. Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy |
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| Select the options that best describe the scope and content of your organizations' water policy |
• Description of water-related performance standards for direct operations • Reference to international standards and widely-recognized water initiatives • Commitment to align with public policy initiatives, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Commitments beyond regulatory compliance |
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| Reporting | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency of reporting to the board on water-related issues | Annually | ||||||||||||||||||
| Incentives | |||||||||||||||||||
| Do you provide incentives to C-suite employees or board members for the management of water-related issues | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's VP of Operations has incentives for water-related performance at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Strategy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Are water-related issues integrated into any aspects of your long-term strategic business plan: | Yes, water-related issues are integrated | ||||||||||||||||||
| If water-related issues are integrated into any aspects of your long-term strategic business plan, please describe further |
Aya Gold & Silver integrated water-related issues into the feasibility study for the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project and its accompanying business plan that drives the operations for the life of mine. |
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| If water-related issues are integrated into any aspects of your long-term strategic business plan, identify the associated long-term time horizon | 5-10 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| General Disclosure | |||||||||||||||||||
| Structure | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Report the governance structure of the organization, including committees of the highest governance body, e.g., the Board of Directors, the Executives, the Board Environment Committee, Board Safety Committee, the Advisory Committee, etc. |
Aya Gold & Silver's Board of Directors has four committees as follows: 1) Audit; 2) Compensation; and 3) Corporate Governance In addition, in 2021, the ESG committee was added to the governance body. |
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|
Aya Gold & Silver Board of Directors Committees |
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| Committees | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Report the committees responsible for decision-making on economic, environmental, and social topics, e.g., the Board of Directors, the Executives, the Board Environment Committee, Board Safety Committee, the Advisory Committee, etc. |
In 2021, the ESG committee was tasked with overseeing economic, environmental and social topics. |
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| Responsibility | |||||||||||||||||||
| a. Has the organization appointed an executive-level position or positions with responsibility for economic, environmental, and social topics , e.g., is it part of the Governance structure of the company, the CFO or internal audit reporting to the Board | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Reporting Structure | |||||||||||||||||||
| b. Report whether position holders report directly to the highest governance body or CEO |
Aya Gold & Silver's CEO is responsible for all ESG issues and reports directly to the Board of Directors. |
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| Consultation Process | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the processes for consultations between stakeholders and the highest governance body on economic, environmental and social topics, e.g., for most mining companies it would be the executives and operations and not the Board, and if delegated, explain how |
The Board of Directors receives regular feedback from investors, financial institutions and rating agencies. In addition, C-Suite executives provide quarterly reports and presentations on ESG topics communicated by stakeholders at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Composition | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the composition of the highest governance body and its committees by: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number of executive members | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of non-executive members | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of independent members | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Less than 3 years | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3-6 years | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6-9 years | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| More than 10 years | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lists of each individual’s other significant positions and commitments, and the nature of the commitments, e.g., other boards and executive positions |
Please refer to the link below for a biographical description of Aya Gold and Silver's Board of Directors and the significant positions and commitments they currently hold. |
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|
Below please find the list of significant positions and commitments of Aya Gold & Silver's individual Board members. 1) Benoit La Salle 2) Robert Taub 3) Marc Nolet de Brauwere 4) Yves Grou 5) Nikolaos Sofronis 6) Dr. Elena Clarici 7) Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht Board of Directors Biographical Information Aya Gold & Silver's AIF |
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| Number of Male governance body members | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of Female governance body members | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of members from under-represented social groups | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Description of competencies relating to economic, environmental, and social topics |
Aya Gold & Silver's Board members' competencies relating to economic, environmental, and social topics are described on the company website. |
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|
Please refer to the link below. Aya Gold & Silver's Board of Directors |
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| Description of stakeholder representation |
Aya Gold & Silver takes a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement and feedback to incorporate into its management practices. Feedback is received from investors, shareholders, financial institutions as well as employees, Canadian and Moroccan authorities, and village representatives. |
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| Non-Executive Director | |||||||||||||||||||
| Is the chair of the highest governance body also an executive officer in the organization | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| If the chair is also an executive officer, describe his or her function within the organization’s management and the reasons for this arrangement |
Benoit La Salle is President & Chief Executive Officer of Aya Gold & Silver. |
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| Conflicts of Interest | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the processes for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided and managed, e.g., list procedures |
Conflicts, if any, are subject to the procedures and remedies under the Canada Business Corporations Act. No conflicts of interest currently exist between the Corporation or its subsidiaries and a director or officer of the Corporation or its subsidiaries. Unresolved potential conflicts involving employees, senior management or Directors are referred to the Board of Director's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. |
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|
Aya Gold & Silver Code of Ethics and Business Conduct |
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| Report whether conflicts of interest are disclosed to stakeholders, including, as a minimum: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
|
To incentivize disclosure, a quarterly questionnaire is sent out to all members of the Board, as well as senior management, and collected by the corporate secretary regarding any conflicts in the course of the quarter. |
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| i. Cross-board membership | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Cross-shareholding with suppliers and other stakeholders | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Existence of controlling shareholder | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv.Related third party disclosures | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the highest governance body’s and senior executives’ roles in the development, approval, and updating of the organization’s purpose, value or mission statements, strategies, policies, and goals related to economic, environmental, and social topics |
Aya Gold & Silver's corporate governance policies are approved by the Board of Directors and shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. |
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| Report on the measures taken to develop and enhance the highest governance body’s collective knowledge of economic, environmental, and social topics, e.g., board training |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not provide training on ESG topics for the Board of Directors. |
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| Report the actions taken in response to evaluation of the highest governance body’s performance with respect to governance of economic, environmental, and social topics, including, as a minimum, changes in membership and organizational practice, (response to external evaluations) |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver conducted an internal evaluation of ESG issues and developed key ESG performance indicators that are tracked by the organization. |
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| Report the highest governance body’s role in identifying and managing economic, environmental, and social topics and their impacts, risks, and opportunities – including its role in the implementation of due diligence processes, (committee roles) |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver created a board- level ESG committee to oversee economic, environmental and social impacts, risks and opportunities. |
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| Is stakeholder consultation used to support the highest governance body’s identification and management of economic, environmental, and social topics and their impacts, risks, and opportunities, and if delegated, explain how | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
|
The Board of Directors continuously receive feedback from investors, financial institutions and rating agencies. In addition, C-Suite executives provide quarterly reports and presentations on ESG issues communicated by stakeholders, and reported by site department heads at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Remuneration | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report how performance criteria in the remuneration policies relate to the highest governance body’s and senior executives’ objectives for economic, environmental, and social topics |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver included water- related key performance indicators for its VP of Operations and site teams at the Zgounder Silver mine. |
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| How are stakeholders’ views sought and taken into account regarding remuneration |
Remuneration packages for directors, C-Suite and Senior Managers at Aya Gold & Silver are approved by shareholders at Annual General Meetings. |
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| Ethics | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the management system and due diligence procedures for assessing and managing corruption and bribery risks internally and associated with business partners in its value chain. |
Issues such as corruption and bribery are addressed in Aya Gold & Silver's International Business Conduct Policy. Please refer to the link below. |
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|
Aya Gold & Silver International Business Conduct Policy |
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| Aya Gold and Silver’Aya Gold & Silver's International Business Conduct Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report net production from activities located in the countries with the 20 lowest rankings in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) (Saleable tonne): | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anti-corruption | |||||||||||||||||||
| Communication and Training | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total number of governance body members that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of governance body members that have been communicated to on anti-corruption: | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number and percentage of employees that have have been communicated to on anti-corruption: | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1a. Total number of employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver concentrated its anti-corruption efforts on transactional due diligence with suppliers and with regards to potential mergers and acquisitions. Communication to employees of anti- corruption policies will be conducted in 2022. |
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| 1b. Total percentage of employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2a. Total number of senior employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2b. Percentage of senior employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3a. Total number of middle management employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3b. Percentage of middle management employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4a. Total number of technical employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4b. Percentage of technical employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5a. Total number of production employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5b. Percentage of production employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6a. Total number of administrative employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6b. Percentage of administrative employees that have been communicated to on anti-corruption | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total number and percentage of business partners that the organziation's anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to: | |||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of suppliers that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of suppliers that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of agents that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of agents that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of lobbyists and other intermediaries that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of lobbyists and other intermediaries that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of joint-venture and consortia parnters that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of joint-venture and consortia parnters that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of government partners that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of government parnters that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Total percentage of customer/client partners that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | Does Not Apply | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of customer/client partners that that the organization´s anti-corruption policies and procedures have been communicated to | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Have the anti-corruption policies and procedures been communicated to any other persons or organizations | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total number of governance body members that have received training on anti-corruption, broken down by region | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver's Board approved the company's International Business Conduct Policy that requires periodic training on bribery and anti-corruption with a minimum frequency of once every three years. In 2021, training was not implemented. |
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| Security Practices | |||||||||||||||||||
| Policy and Procedure Training | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the percentage of security personnel who have received formal training in the organization’s human rights policies or specific procedures and their application to security: | 0.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Aya Gold & Silver's security personnel at the Zgounder Silver mine do not carry person- restraining equipment. Their functions are limited to conducting vehicle checks, metal checks at entrances and exits, and registering visitors. In case of situations requiring further action, security personnel are instructed to follow the company's chain of command structure and immediately advise the site Director of Operations and, if required, local authorities. |
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| General Disclosure | |||||||||||||||||||
| Delegation of Authority | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the process for delegating authority for economic, environmental, and social topics from the highest governance body to senior executives and other employees |
At the Zgounder Silver Mine, ESG topics are identified and managed on site by the HSE and CR departments. |
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|
Information on potential ESG risks, and opportunities are reported quarterly to the ESG Committee at the board-level. All Aya Gold & Silver employees are assigned HSE key performance indicators as part of their performance evaluations. |
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| If consultation is delegated, describe to whom it is delegated and how the resulting feedback is provided to the highest governance body |
The HSE and CR departments are overseen by the Corporation's HSEC Manager who reports to the VP of Operations and the CEO. |
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| Highest Governance Body | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the nomination and selection processes for the highest governance body and its committees |
The CEO and Chairman of Aya Gold & Silver seek qualified candidates who wish to be considered for nomination as directors. Proposed nominations are subject to review and approval by the Board. |
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|
Any new appointees or nominees to the Board must have a favourable track record in general business management, special expertise in areas of strategic interest to the Corporation, and the ability to devote the time required. |
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| i. Stakeholders (including shareholders) are involved |
Aya Gold & Silver's shareholders participate in the election of Board of Directors. |
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| ii. Diversity is considered |
While Aya Gold & Silver adheres to its equal opportunity statement, no formal mechanisms have been put into place for diversity considerations at the Board level. |
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|
Please see the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Policy below. Code of Ethics and Business Conduct Policy |
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| iii. Independence is considered |
In accordance with the Canadian regulatory National Instruments (NI) and the TSX corporate manual, the majority of Aya Gold & Silver's Board of Directors are independent. |
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| TSX Issuer Resources : Corporate Governance | |||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Expertise and experience relating to economic, environmental, and social topics are considered |
Nominations for Board membership are made by the Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee which screens potential candidates based on their expertise and experience in economic, environmental and social topics. |
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| Risk Management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the highest governance body’s role in reviewing the effectiveness of the organization’s risk management processes for economic, environmental, and social topics |
ESG issues are reported to the ESG Committee on a quarterly basis and advice is sought from the Board on improving the organization's effectiveness in managing ESG issues. |
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| Review Frequency | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the frequency of the highest governance body’s review of economic, environmental, and social topics and their impacts, risks, and opportunities | Quarterly | ||||||||||||||||||
| Highest Review Position | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the highest committee or position that formally reviews and approves the organization’s sustainability report and ensures that all material topics are covered | ESG Committee | ||||||||||||||||||
| Escalation Process | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the process for communicating critical concerns to the highest governance body |
ESG issues are reported to the ESG Committee on a quarterly basis and advice is sought from the Board on improving the organization's effectiveness in managing ESG issues. |
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| Critical Concerns | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Report the number of critical concerns that were communicated to the highest governance body | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Report the nature of critical concerns that were communicated to the highest governance body |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver reported a fatal accident as a critical concern to the Board of Directors. |
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| Report the mechanism(s) used to address and resolve critical concerns |
The incident was communicated to the Board immediately and discussed in a special session convened to provide context, mitigation, and remediation measures. |
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| Remuneration | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report which of the following remuneration policies apply to the highest governance body and senior executives: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Fixed pay | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Variable pay | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Performance-based pay | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Equity-based pay | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Bonuses | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| i. Deferred and vested shares | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Sign-on bonuses | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. Recruitment incentive payments | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Termination payments | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. Clawbacks | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Retirement benefits, including the difference between benefit schemes and contribution rates for the highest governance body, senior executives, and all other employees | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report the process for determining remuneration |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented a compensation program for directors and executive management incorporating fixed pay and variable pay compensation policies. |
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|
The new management team has subsequently worked tirelessly to attract top-tier talent and has hired over a dozen executives from the mining industry. In this transition year, given the significant number of hires, the company engaged an external compensation consultant to help establish a normalized competitive benchmark for compensation across the Corporation, namely for top executives and management. |
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| Report whether remuneration consultants are involved in determining remuneration and whether they are independent of management | Independent Consultants | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report any other relationships that the remuneration consultants have with the organization |
Remuneration consultants utilized by Aya Silver & Gold have no other business relationships with the Corporation. |
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| Compensation | |||||||||||||||||||
| The reporting organization shall report the following information | |||||||||||||||||||
| The organization shall calculate the ratio of the annual total compensation for the organization’s highest-paid individual in each country of significant operations to the median annual total compensation for all employees (excluding the highest-paid individual) in the same country as follows | |||||||||||||||||||
| Country 1: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Identify highest paid individual in the reporting period as defined by total compensation | 133875 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Calculate the median annual total compensation for all employees, except the highest-paid individual | 6409 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Calculate the ratio of the annual total compensation of the highest-paid individual to the median annual total compensation for all employees | 20.887 | ||||||||||||||||||
| For the ratio calculation: | |||||||||||||||||||
| List types of compensation included in the calculation | All | ||||||||||||||||||
| Specify whether full-time and part-time employees are included in the calculation | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||
| Specify whether full-time equivalent pay rates are used for each part-time employee in this calculation | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| Specify which operations or countries are included, if the organization chooses to not consolidate this ratio for the entire organization |
For the purpose of this report, the ratio calculated includes the Zgounder Silver Mine in the Kingdom of Morocco. |
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| Report the ratio of the percentage increase in annual total compensation for the organization’s highest-paid individual in each country of significant operations to the median percentage increase in annual total compensation for all employees (excluding the highest-paid individual) in the same country | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6.2 Percentage increase in annual total compensation for the organization’s highest-paid individual: | 90.9020% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6.1 Highest-paid individual for the reporting period, as defined by total compensation | 133875 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Annual salary in USD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the median percentage increase in annual total compensation for all employees (excluding the highest-paid individual): | 78.1245% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6.3 Median annual total compensation for all employees except the highest-paid individual for the present reporting period | 6409 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6.4 Percentage increase of the median annual total compensation from the last reporting period to the present reporting period: | 78.0097% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Increase of the median annual total compensation from the current reporting period for all employees | 6421 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6.5 Calculate the ratio of the annual total compensation percentage increase of the highest-paid individual to the median annual total compensation percentage increase for all employees | 1.165 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stakeholder Engagement | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a list of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization |
Aya Gold & Silver continuously engages with the following stakeholders: |
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|
1. Canadian and host country authorities at the national and local levels; 2. Canadian and host country administrative and regulating bodies (Ministry of health, education, etcetera); 3. International and local civil society organizations (NGO's, associations and co-ops); 4. Investors and shareholders, TSX authorities and financial institutions; 5. Employees; and, 6. Supply chain buyers and service providers |
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| Report the basis for identifying and selecting stakeholders with whom to engage |
Aya Gold & Silver undertakes stakeholder mapping exercises to determine the level of interest and influence of national and local stakeholders in its operating asset in the Kingdom of Morocco. |
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| Report the organization’s approach to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group, and an indication of whether any of the engagement was undertaken specifically as part of the report preparation process |
Aya Gold & Silver's stakeholder engagement is based on the interest and influence of stakeholders resulting in the following: |
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|
1. Continuous engagement is maintained with host country authorities, and regulating bodies; 2. Project- specific engagement with administrative bodies and civil society to implement CSR initiatives; 3. Civil society organizations are also engaged to obtain feedback on needs, interests and expectations of stakeholders on their relationship to the Zgounder Mine; and 4. In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver additionally received feedback on the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project through the ESIA expansion project engagement process and its public consultation. |
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| Report on key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement, including: |
During the 2021 ESIA consultation process, stakeholders identified the following primary concerns: 1. Local employment 2. Water management 3. General environmental impacts |
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| i. How the organization has responded to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting |
Aya Gold & Silver has a local employment process that has been communicated to contractors for the expansion project. Water concerns were added to the design criteria for the feasibility study of the Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project. |
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| ii. The stakeholder groups that raised each of the key topics and concerns |
All concerns enumerated above were raised by the totality of our stakeholders during the consultation process. |
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| Material Topics | |||||||||||||||||||
| Process to determine material topics | |||||||||||||||||||
| Describe the process followed to determine its material topics, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. How has the organization identified actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights, across its activities and business relationships; provide details. |
• Environmental impact assessment • Social impact assessment • Civil society organizations |
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| ii. How has the organization prioritized the impacts for reporting based on their significance; |
In 2021, the Corporation used the output of the ESIA risk assessment and the output of its internal risk analysis to determine the material topics for the Zgounder Silver Mine. In addition, we included stakeholder concerns communicated through our continual engagement. |
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| Specify the stakeholders and experts whose views have informed the process of determining its material topics and provide details. |
• Civil society organizations • Customers • Employees and other workers • Governments • Local communities • Non-governmental organizations • Shareholders and other capital providers • Suppliers |
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| List of material topics | |||||||||||||||||||
| List the organization's material topics |
• Energy • Water • Emissions • Effluents and Waste • Overall environmental • Occupational Health and Safety • Training and Education • Local Communities • Anti-corruption • Emergency Preparedness |
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| List the organization's non-material topics |
• Economic Performance • Market Presence • Indirect Economic Impacts • Procurement Practices • Materials • Biodiversity • Products and Services • Compliance • Transport • Supplier • Environmental Assessment • Environmental Grievances • Employment • Labor/Management Relations • Diversity and Equal Opportunity • Equal Remuneration for Women and Men • Supplier Assessment for Labor Practices • Labor Practices • Grievance Mechanisms • Human Rights Investment • Non-discrimination • Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining • Child Labor • Forced or Compulsory Labor • Security Practices • Indigenous Rights • Supplier Human Rights Assessment • Human Rights Grievance Mechanisms • Public Policy • Anti-competitive Behavior • Supplier Assessment for Impacts on Society • Grievance Mechanisms for Impacts on Society • Artisanal and Small-scale mining • Resettlement • Closure Planning • Customer Health and Safety • Product and Service Labeling • Marketing • Communications • Customer Privacy • Materials Stewardship |
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| Provide reason for considering such topics not material, provide details. | Not applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report changes to the list of material topics compared to the previous reporting period. |
In this 2021 disclosure, Aya Gold & Silver has included GHG emissions in its materiality analysis. |
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| Management of material topics | |||||||||||||||||||
| For the top 5 material topics, the reporting organization shall report the following information: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Topic #1: | Water | ||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of why the topic is material; describe the actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights. |
Use of water resources, or water stress, is both an operational and a societal risk. |
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| Report the boundary for the material topic: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Where the impacts occur |
For operations, water is taken from a spring located 5 km upstream and brought gravitationally by aqueduct to the mine. |
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|
Expansion of the Zgounder Silver Mine is dependent on finding new water sources, which communities require for drinking and agriculture. |
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| ii. The organization’s involvement with the impacts. e.g., whether the organization has caused or contributed to the impacts, or is directly linked to the impacts through its business relationships |
The expansion of the Zgounder Silver Mine is dependent on finding new water sources. |
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| Any specific limitation regarding the topic boundary |
The Zgounder project is located in an area of high-water stress. |
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| Report whether the organization is involved with the negative impacts through its activities or as a result of its business relationships, and describe the activities or business relationships; | Activities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe/provide a link to the corporate policies or commitments regarding the topic |
Please refer to the Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy in the link below. |
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| Aya Gold & Silver's HSEC Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the organization manages the topic; describe actions taken and related impacts, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. actions to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts; |
Water risks are assessed through the Corporation's risk management system, where mitigation measures are identified and mitigation plans are developed and incorporated in the annual CAPEX and OPEX budgets. |
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|
In 2021, Aya Gold & SIlver refurbished the Macoste spring infrastructure (piping and reservoir), and built 2 water basins with a 30,000m3 of water storage capacity. |
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| ii. actions to address actual negative impacts, including actions to provide for or cooperate in their remediation; |
In 2021, no negative impacts related to water were identified in local communities. The 2021 CAPEX investment aimed to mitigate potential future impacts related to the expansion project. |
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| iii. actions to manage actual and potential positive impacts; |
Aya Gold & Silver, together with national authorities, is evaluating the feasibility of building a retention dam or similar infrastructure to take advantage of excess water during the rainy season. |
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| Report the following information about tracking the effectiveness of the actions taken: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. processes used to track the effectiveness of the actions; |
• Internal auditing • Impact assessments • Measurement systems • Stakeholder feedback • Grievance mechanisms |
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| ii. goals, targets, and indicators used to evaluate progress; |
The Zgounder Silver Mine Expansion Project is currently assessing the feasibility study. Goals, targets and indicators will be established as per the validation process of the impact assessment. |
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| iii. the effectiveness of the actions, including progress toward the goals and targets; any related adjustments. | Does not apply at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. lessons learned and how these have been incorporated into the organization’s operational policies and procedures | Does not apply at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe how engagement with stakeholders has informed the actions taken and how it has informed whether the actions have been effective. | Does not apply at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Topic #2: | Water | ||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of why the topic is material; describe the actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights. |
Use of water resources, or water stress, is both an operational and a societal risk. |
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|
Use of water resources, or water stress, is both an operational and a societal risk. |
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| Report the boundary for the material topic: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Where the impacts occur |
During its due diligence process for the acquisition of the Zgounder Silver Mine, Aya Gold & Silver determined the asset had a history of weak water management. Water pollution is often the first topic that comes up when talking to local communities and local authorities about the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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|
The Corporation's quarterly water quality sampling reports show that river water in the immediate vicinity of the mine has regularly shown traces of pollution since 2015. Although it remains contained (sample points 3 km downstream are always negative), the Corporation’s management team considers this an extremely urgent matter. |
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| ii. The organization’s involvement with the impacts. e.g., whether the organization has caused or contributed to the impacts, or is directly linked to the impacts through its business relationships |
Aya Gold & Silver's analysis concluded that the water pollution stems from a pulp overflow from the cyanide processing plant. |
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|
Please refer to Aya Gold & Silver's 2020 Sustainability Report for further information. Aya Gold & Silver 2020 Sustainability Report |
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| Any specific limitation regarding the topic boundary |
There are no specific limitations regarding this material topic. |
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| Report whether the organization is involved with the negative impacts through its activities or as a result of its business relationships, and describe the activities or business relationships; | Activities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe/provide a link to the corporate policies or commitments regarding the topic |
Please refer to Aya Gold and Silver's HSEC Policy below. |
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| Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the organization manages the topic; describe actions taken and related impacts, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. actions to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented physical control measures in its operations and initiated an environmental monitoring program with a third-party accredited lab. |
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| ii. actions to address actual negative impacts, including actions to provide for or cooperate in their remediation; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver implemented physical control measures in its operations and initiated an environmental monitoring program with a third-party accredited lab. |
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| iii. actions to manage actual and potential positive impacts; |
No positive impacts have been identified regarding this material topic. |
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| Report the following information about tracking the effectiveness of the actions taken: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. processes used to track the effectiveness of the actions; |
• Internal auditing • External auditing or verification • Impact assessments • Measurement systems • Stakeholder feedback • Grievance mechanisms |
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| ii. goals, targets, and indicators used to evaluate progress; |
Aya Gold & Silver's water monitoring program tests water quality against national and WHO drinking water, and sampling is carried out monthly to ensure compliance. |
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| iii. the effectiveness of the actions, including progress toward the goals and targets; any related adjustments. |
In 2021, the water monitoring program was in its initial stage of implementation. In 2022, the effectiveness of the measures described above will be assessed and reported. |
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| iv. lessons learned and how these have been incorporated into the organization’s operational policies and procedures | Not applicable at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe how engagement with stakeholders has informed the actions taken and how it has informed whether the actions have been effective. |
Stakeholder engagement and information were provided in 2021 through the ESIA stakeholder consultation process. |
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| Topic #3: | Effluents and Waste | ||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of why the topic is material; describe the actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights. |
TSF dam leakages or dam failures can impact host populations and the environment. For further information please refer to the Corporations's 2020 Sustainability Report. |
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| Aya Gold & Silver 2020 Sustainability Report | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report the boundary for the material topic: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Where the impacts occur |
This material topic is linked to the Company's TSF obligations. There are four TSFs at the Zgounder Silver Mine. One is the “historical TSF” that was used by operations until the 1990s. |
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|
The satellite imagery clearly shows the presence of historical leakage under this TSF, observable by the grayish coloration of the soil downstream. The second TSF was used for the new flotation plant built in 2019, but was closed immediately by new management due to instability. Currently, there are 2 active TSFs: one for the cyanidation and the other for the flotation plant. Originally built in 2002, the cyanidation TSF was expanded in 2014 to its current footprint. The dam of the cyanidation TSF shows sign of leakage in the layers built during the early 2000s. |
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| ii. The organization’s involvement with the impacts. e.g., whether the organization has caused or contributed to the impacts, or is directly linked to the impacts through its business relationships |
Impacts are directly linked to the Zgounder Mine site operations. |
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| Any specific limitation regarding the topic boundary | No limitations are identified. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report whether the organization is involved with the negative impacts through its activities or as a result of its business relationships, and describe the activities or business relationships; | Activities | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe/provide a link to the corporate policies or commitments regarding the topic |
Please refer to Aya Gold and Silver's HSEC Policy below. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the organization manages the topic; describe actions taken and related impacts, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. actions to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts; |
In 2020, the Corporation’s management team conducted an internal audit of the four TSFs present at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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|
After extensive repairs in 2020, in 2021, internal quarterly audits were conducted with the objective of implementing GIST standards. |
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| ii. actions to address actual negative impacts, including actions to provide for or cooperate in their remediation; |
Please refer to the 2020 sustainability report below. |
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| iii. actions to manage actual and potential positive impacts; |
No positive impacts have been identified for this material issue. |
||||||||||||||||||
| Report the following information about tracking the effectiveness of the actions taken: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. processes used to track the effectiveness of the actions; |
• Internal auditing • External auditing or verification • Measurement systems • Stakeholder feedback |
||||||||||||||||||
| ii. goals, targets, and indicators used to evaluate progress; |
Goals, target and indicators are reported by external audits and verifications on a quarterly basis. |
||||||||||||||||||
| iii. the effectiveness of the actions, including progress toward the goals and targets; any related adjustments. | Not applicable at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iv. lessons learned and how these have been incorporated into the organization’s operational policies and procedures | Not applicable at this stage of development. | ||||||||||||||||||
|
Please note the material topic was part of an environmental legacy that Aya Gold and Silver acquired and is not part of the Corporation's operational policies and procedures. |
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| Describe how engagement with stakeholders has informed the actions taken and how it has informed whether the actions have been effective. |
Stakeholder engagement and information were provided in 2021 through the ESIA stakeholder consultation process. |
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| Topic #4: | Occupational Health and Safety | ||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of why the topic is material; describe the actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights. |
In 2020, Aya Gold & Silver reported Health & Safety (“H&S”) as a major concern at the Corporation’s operations. Preliminary findings from the Corporation’s assessment pointed to a clear lack of risk awareness, and to the absence of a H&S culture at all organization levels of the Zgounder Silver Mine. This issue remains a top priority in 2021 |
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| Report the boundary for the material topic: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Where the impacts occur |
H&S is a concern for operations within the mine site and applies to both direct employees and contractors. H&S is a material issue and concern at all operational levels of the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| ii. The organization’s involvement with the impacts. e.g., whether the organization has caused or contributed to the impacts, or is directly linked to the impacts through its business relationships |
H&S is a concern for operations within the mine site and applies to both direct employees and contractors. |
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| Any specific limitation regarding the topic boundary | No limitations have been identified. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report whether the organization is involved with the negative impacts through its activities or as a result of its business relationships, and describe the activities or business relationships; | Both Activities and business relationships | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe/provide a link to the corporate policies or commitments regarding the topic | Please refer to the document in the link below. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the organization manages the topic; describe actions taken and related impacts, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. actions to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver revamped its H&S system to incorporate all of the elements of a working performance management system based on IFC standards including: |
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1. A new H&S policy at site; 2. A risk identification and impact system; 3. The development of management plans, procedures (SOPs), corporate standards; 4. Organizational capacity and competency; 5. Emergency response and preparation system and; 6. A monitoring and evaluation system for continuous improvement. A senior manager was hired to lead H&S efforts and organize a new H&S department to strengthen the H&S culture among our employees and contractors at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| ii. actions to address actual negative impacts, including actions to provide for or cooperate in their remediation; | Please refer to the answers above. | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. actions to manage actual and potential positive impacts; |
The results from the newly implemented H&S system at the Zgounder Silver Mine will be reported in 2022. |
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| Report the following information about tracking the effectiveness of the actions taken: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. processes used to track the effectiveness of the actions; |
• Internal auditing • External auditing or verification • Impact assessments • Measurement systems • Benchmarking |
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| ii. goals, targets, and indicators used to evaluate progress; |
Aya Gold & Silver utilizes the standard H&S KPI list and benchmarks against its industry peers to evaluate its performance. |
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| iii. the effectiveness of the actions, including progress toward the goals and targets; any related adjustments. |
In 2021, after the implementation of the system, the Zgounder Silver Mine installed collective protective equipment in its operations resulting in a decrease of potential accidents and near misses. There was also an increase in risk awareness among employees. |
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| iv. lessons learned and how these have been incorporated into the organization’s operational policies and procedures |
In 2022, Aya Gold & Silver will report the results of the implementatation of the new management system. |
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| Describe how engagement with stakeholders has informed the actions taken and how it has informed whether the actions have been effective. |
In 2021, a number of H&S committees were established to represent all levels of the workforce. These are instrumental in providing timely feedback to the development and implementation of the new H&S system. |
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| Topic #5: | Local Communities | ||||||||||||||||||
| An explanation of why the topic is material; describe the actual and potential, negative and positive impacts on the economy, environment, and people, including impacts on their human rights. |
The Zgounder Silver Mine has over 40 years of history that spans several operators and administrations, from state companies to private ownership, and includes intermittent periods of inactivity. This has resulted in complicated relations and historical baggage with the communities. |
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| Report the boundary for the material topic: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Where the impacts occur |
Concerns related to the relationship between the Zgounder Silver Mine and its host communities. |
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| ii. The organization’s involvement with the impacts. e.g., whether the organization has caused or contributed to the impacts, or is directly linked to the impacts through its business relationships |
The impact was caused by an absence of relationship-building between past mine operators and the surrounding villages. |
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| Any specific limitation regarding the topic boundary |
In 2021, local elections were held. Therefore, Aya Gold & Silver engaged cautiously to avoid the potential perception of exercising influence or create expectations over election matters. |
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| Report whether the organization is involved with the negative impacts through its activities or as a result of its business relationships, and describe the activities or business relationships; | Both Activities and business relationships | ||||||||||||||||||
| Describe/provide a link to the corporate policies or commitments regarding the topic | Please refer to the document in the link below. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Aya Gold & Silver HSEC Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Explain how the organization manages the topic; describe actions taken and related impacts, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. actions to prevent or mitigate potential negative impacts; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver hired a senior community relations lead t who established regular engagement practices with local administrations, resulting in the identification of a fixed set of actions to be implemented by the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| ii. actions to address actual negative impacts, including actions to provide for or cooperate in their remediation; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver worked with local authorities to formalize its grievance mechanism. |
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| iii. actions to manage actual and potential positive impacts; |
In addition to maintaining a high local content management strategy, in 2021, Aya Gold & Silver developed a community investment plan aligned with national and regional development programs, and local authority and village feedback and participation. |
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| Report the following information about tracking the effectiveness of the actions taken: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. processes used to track the effectiveness of the actions; |
• Internal auditing • Impact assessments • Measurement systems • Stakeholder feedback • Grievance mechanisms • Benchmarking |
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| ii. goals, targets, and indicators used to evaluate progress; |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver established and committed to an annual community investment budget. All investment targets were met. |
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| iii. the effectiveness of the actions, including progress toward the goals and targets; any related adjustments. |
Please refer to the answer above. No adjustments were identified in 2021. |
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| iv. lessons learned and how these have been incorporated into the organization’s operational policies and procedures |
Aya Gold & Silver defined internal administrative procedures to streamline community investments, and learned to work with local administrations to achieve joint objectives while safeguarding the company's commitment to transparency. |
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| Describe how engagement with stakeholders has informed the actions taken and how it has informed whether the actions have been effective. |
All community investments in 2021 were based on feedback from local administrations and villages. |
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| A description of the grievance mechanism, if the management approach includes such mechanism |
Aya Gold & Silver formalized the Zgounder Silver Mine grievance mechanism in 2021. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: Ownership of the mechanism |
The grievance mechanism is managed by Aya Gold & Silver in conjunction with the local representative of the Kingdom of Morocco's Ministry of the Interior. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: The purpose of the mechanism and its relationship to other grievance mechanisms |
The Zgounder Silver mine grievance mechanism is exclusively for use by external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders report grievances through the Human Resources system and their representatives. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: The organization’s activities that are covered by the mechanism |
The community grievance mechanism is utilized by external stakeholders. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: The intended users of the mechanism |
Intended users of the mechanism include: 1. Village residents 2. Local administration 3. Local service providers 4. Civil society organizations 5. Any other external stakeholders affected by Zgounder Silver activities |
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| Grievance Mechanism: How the mechanism is managed |
The mechanism is co-managed by Aya Gold & Silver and local authorities. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: The process to address and resolve grievances, including how decisions are made |
Grievances are received by local authorities and/or community relations employees. Grievances are jointly investigated and resolved. If required, ad hoc committees can be formed to resolve complaints. If warranted the grievance may escalate to be resolved through the justice system. |
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| Grievance Mechanism: The effectiveness criteria used |
The effectiveness of the grievance mechanism is measured by the expedient resolution of grievances, and by a general lack of interruptions to the operations as a result of unresolved community grievances. |
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| The total number of grievances filed through the mechanism during the reporting period | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The number of grievances that were addressed (or reviewed) during the reporting period | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The number of grievances that were resolved during the reporting period; | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The number of grievances filed through the mechanism prior to the reporting period that were resolved during the reporting period; | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The number of grievances that were resolved by remediation | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anti-corruption | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corruption Risks to Operations | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Total number of operations assessed for corruption risks | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. Percentage of operations assessed for corruption risks | 100.0000% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Report any significant corruptions risks identified: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Risk 1 |
In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not identify any significant corruption risks to its operations at the Zgounder Silver Mine. |
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| Confirmed Incidents and Response | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of confirmed incidents in which employees were dismissed or disciplined for corruption | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of contracts terminated or not renewed with business partners due to corruption related violations | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Public legal cases brought against the organization or its employees during the reporting period related to corrupton and the outcomes of such cases | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anti-competitive behaviour | |||||||||||||||||||
| Legal Actions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total number of legal actions pending or completed during the reporting period regarding anti-competitive behaviour and violations of anti-trust and monopoly legislation in which the organization has been identified as a participant: | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of legal actions pending during the reporting period regarding anti-competitive behaviour | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Number of legal actions completed during the reporting period regarding anti-trust behaviour | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tax | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a description of the approach to tax, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Does the organization have a tax strategy | No | ||||||||||||||||||
| ii. The frequency of formal review and approval of the tax strategy by the governance body or executive-level position within the organization; | Not Applicable | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The approach to regulatory compliance |
In addition to its publicly-mandated corporate audits, Aya Gold & Silver employs local legal counsel and tax advisor services to ensure the Corporation meets its commitment to full compliance and transparency with regard to tax obligations. |
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| iv. How the approach to tax is linked to the business and sustainable development strategies of the organization |
Aya Gold & Silver is committed to full compliance and transparency with regard to the Corporation's tax obligations in every jurisdiction in which it operates. |
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| Tax governance, control, and risk management | |||||||||||||||||||
| Provide a description of the tax governance and control framework, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The governance body or executive-level position within the organization accountable for compliance with the tax strategy |
Since there is no tax strategy in place, there is no single individual responsible for tax planning. Tax planning is done in concordance with the corporation's external auditors - KPMG. Tax implications are reviewed by the Corporation's CFO and Corporate Controller as situations arise. |
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| ii. How the approach to tax is embedded within the organization | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
| iii. The approach to tax risks, including how risks are identified, managed, and monitored |
As part of its risk management strategy, Aya Gold & Silver has developed a series of "red fIags" to identify potential business misconduct. Among these red flags is the identification of any payment requested to a bank in a “tax haven” jurisdiction (e.g. the Cayman Islands) or in a country identified by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering) as a “Non- Cooperative Country or Territory” for no apparent reason. |
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Aya Gold and Silver International Business Conduct Policy |
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| iv. How compliance with the tax governance and control framework is evaluated |
Compliance with tax governance is partially attained through the Corporation's external auditors. In addition, the Moroccan entities have strict procedures in place in terms of the accuracy and timeliness of tax filings for sales tax, withholding tax, and corporate tax. |
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| Provide a description of the mechanisms for reporting concerns about unethical or unlawful behaviour and the organization’s integrity in relation to tax |
The Audit Committee Chairman is responsible for the receipt, retention and investigation of complaints or concerns received regarding, but not limited to, fraud, misconduct, management override, accounting, internal controls, auditing matters and corporate governance issues whether received through the whistle-blower mechanism or other means. |
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|
Aya Gold & Silver Whistleblower Policy and Procedure Aya Gold & Silver International Business Conduct Policy |
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| Describe the approach to stakeholder engagement and management of stakeholder concerns related to tax, including: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. The approach to engagement with tax authorities |
Aya Gold & Silver does not directly or (indirectly) engage with tax authorities in any of the jurisdictions in which it operates. "Indirect engagement" includes not adhering to public policy recommendations on tax from industry groups. |
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| ii. The approach to public policy advocacy on tax |
Aya Gold & Silver does not advocate on tax issues in any of the jurisdictions in which the Corporation operates. |
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| iii. the processes for collecting and considering the views and concerns of stakeholders, including external stakeholders |
Aya Gold & Silver receives timely information on tax-related issues from external counsel to meet its tax obligations. |
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| Country-by-Country Reporting | |||||||||||||||||||
| Report all tax jurisdictions where the entities included are resident for tax purposes, in the organization’s audited consolidated financial statements, or in the financial information filed on public record |
Kingdom of Morocco Mauritania Canada Barbados |
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| For each tax jurisdiction reported in Disclosure (GRI 207-4-a), report the: | |||||||||||||||||||
| i. Names of the resident entities |
Aya Gold & Silver operates in the following jurisdictions and has the following resident entities: |
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Aya Gold & Silver operates in the Kingdom of Morocco under the following entities: • Zgounder Millenium Silver Mining S.A. (ZMSM) • Compagnie Miniere Maya-Maroc S.A. (CMMM) • Atlas Gold & Silver S.A.R.L (AGS) • Boumadine Gold Mining S.A. (BGM) Aya Gold & Silver operates in Mauritania under the following entities: • Algold Mauritania SARL • Tijirit recherche et exploration (Tirex) S.A. Aya Gold & Silver operates in Canada under the following entities: • Aya Gold & Silver Inc. • Algold Resources Ltd. Aya Gold & Silver operates in Barbados under the following entities: • Kanosask (Barbados) Limited Aya Gold & Silver 2020 ESTMA Report |
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| ii. Primary activities of the organization |
The entities referenced above primarily focus on mining exploration and operation. |
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| iii. Number of employees, and the basis of calculation of this number | 275 | ||||||||||||||||||
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This is the number of Aya Gold & Silver's employees in Morocco. |
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| iv. Revenues from third-party sales | 34301914 | ||||||||||||||||||
| v. Revenues from intra-group transactions with other tax jurisdictions | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vi. Profit/loss before tax | 5117383 | ||||||||||||||||||
| vii. Tangible assets other than cash and cash equivalents | 50060335 | ||||||||||||||||||
| viii. Corporate income tax paid on a cash basis | 644681 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ix. Corporate income tax accrued on profit/loss | 3845241 | ||||||||||||||||||
| x. Reasons for the difference between corporate income tax accrued on profit/loss and the tax due if the statutory tax rate is applied to profit/loss before tax |
Corporate tax paid represents the taxes paid in Morocco for operations that generate revenue. However, permanent and temporary differences arise from the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. |
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| Report the time period covered by the information reported in Disclosure (GRI 207-4-a): | |||||||||||||||||||
| From | 2021-01-01 | ||||||||||||||||||
| To | 2021-12-31 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Public Policy | |||||||||||||||||||
| Political Contributions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total monetary value of financial and in-kind political contributions made directly and indirectly by the organization by country and recipient/beneficiary | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Country 1: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total direct financial contribution | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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In 2021, Aya Gold & Silver did not make any direct or indirect financial or in-kind political contributions. |
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| Total indirect financial contribution | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total direct in-kind contribution | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total indirect in-kind contribution | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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