Excellence in Mine Closure and Environmental Leadership

We are proud to announce that our Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO) has been awarded the 2024 Tom Peters Memorial Mine Reclamation Award by the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) and the Ontario Mining Association.

This prestigious recognition celebrates our industry-leading efforts in the successful closure and reclamation of the Thayer Lindsley (TL) Mine, reinforcing our commitment to responsible mining and long-term environmental stewardship.

Located just four kilometres north of Sudbury, Ontario, the TL Mine, part of Sudbury INO, operated from 1992 until 2009 and entered full closure in the following years. With a strong foundation in sustainable planning from day one, the closure project was executed over more than a decade with meticulous attention to environmental, operational, and community considerations.

Key accomplishments of the TL Mine closure include:

• Sustainable Land Restoration: Over nine hectares of land were restored, with 155,000 m³ of materials returned underground, reducing surface footprint and enhancing land stability.

• Environmental Improvements: Surface and groundwater quality significantly improved, with downstream nickel levels now falling below 1992 background concentrations.

• Biodiversity and Revegetation: In partnership with the City of Greater Sudbury, Tree Canada, and Collège Boréal, over 52,000 native trees and shrubs were planted – achieving a survival rate exceeding 87%.

• Resource Efficiency: 90% of demolition materials were recycled, and reusable assets were redeployed across other operations, demonstrating a circular and cost-effective approach.

• Inclusive Engagement: Ongoing collaboration with four Indigenous communities and local stakeholders helped shape closure strategies through shared knowledge and mutual respect.

This achievement represents more than technical excellence – it symbolizes years of collaboration, foresight, and dedication across departments. From early-stage design to post-closure environmental monitoring, the project team demonstrated how responsible mine closure can leave a lasting, positive legacy.

The project’s outstanding performance was independently audited using the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) Closure Maturity Framework, where the TL site achieved:

• Level 3 (Good International Practice) across all 14 closure elements.

• Level 4 (Leading Practice) in Closure Activities, Closure Execution Plans, and Closure Costing.