Sustainability Governance
Collective oversight of ESG issues, risks and performance begins with our Board. The Board is accountable for Skeena’s environmental and social performance across our business. The 100%-independent Nomination & Governance Committee supports the Board in fulfilling its ESG responsibilities and has specific oversight of key governance policies, including our Code of Conduct and Ethics, Whistleblower Policy and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy.
Responsibility for sustainability strategies and performance is hardwired into the executive and operational levels of Skeena, ensuring that there is accountability across all areas of our business. ESG performance metrics are incorporated into the incentive bonuses of our executive management and operations teams.
To learn more about our governance practices:
Ethical behaviour is critical to our daily operations, maintaining stakeholder trust and Skeena’s success in the mining industry. We are guided by Skeena’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”), which serves as the foundation for how we do business. More than a set of rules, the Code promotes integrity and defines the standards and values that we expect all directors, officers, employees (permanent and contract) and suppliers to follow in every activity and interaction with stakeholders. We provide training on the code, and everyone must attest in writing to their understanding of, and compliance with, its terms.
The Board is responsible for setting the standards of business conduct contained in the Code and updating these standards as it deems appropriate, to reflect applicable legal and regulatory developments, evolving business practices and/or changing societal expectations.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
We have zero tolerance for bribery and corruption and are dedicated to conducting our business in compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, rules and regulations wherever we operate. Our Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy prohibits any person acting directly or indirectly on behalf of Skeena from engaging in bribery or any corrupt activity in relation to government officials or private parties, or enabling or facilitating such activity.
The policy also discourages political contributions. Corporate donations to federal or provincial politicians or parties are not permissible in Canada or British Columbia and in 2023 Skeena made no political contributions in any jurisdiction. Skeena is subject to Canada’s Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act (ESTMA), which aligns with the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and requires we disclose any payments, in cash or in kind, to any governmental or quasi-government organization globally.
Speak-up Culture
We encourage open, honest communications among all our employees and contractors. We want people who work at Skeena to feel comfortable approaching their supervisor or manager for any reason, especially if they suspect that violations of policies, standards or laws have occurred.
We also have a third-party service, ClearView Connects, that is available 24/7 if employees or contractors prefer to report concerns anonymously. The service offers a secure and confidential way to ask questions, raise concerns or report unethical behaviour.
As part of our commitment to responsible procurement and ethical sourcing, we seek to deal with suppliers that uphold similar standards of business conduct as Skeena.
Our standard contract requires that suppliers comply with Skeena policies – including our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy, and Environmental and Social Responsibility Policy. Supplier contracts also state our expectation that suppliers act in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes Canada’s Customs Tariff, which prohibits importing goods that are produced, wholly or in part, by forced, prison or child labour, as well as the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act.
We stand firmly against all forms of modern slavery, including forced labour and child labour, and strive to reduce the risk of any such activities. At this time, Skeena is not aware of any forced or child labour within our business or supply chain.
We stay abreast of relevant issues in global supply chain management through a variety of news sources, professional development seminars and webinars, and engagement with our professional service partners such as legal and accounting firms.
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Skeena is committed to carefully managing our activities so that we prevent or minimize environmental harm.
