Our Sustainability
Commitment

Nicola Mining embraces the principles of responsible resource development in all aspects of its business. Sustainability at Nicola encompasses safe operations, environmental stewardship, responsible governance, and constructive engagement with Indigenous Nations and local communities.

Our approach is guided by the belief that strong sustainability performance supports long-term value creation for shareholders while contributing positively to the regions in which we operate. We seek to conduct our activities in a manner that minimizes environmental impact, respects people and communities, and meets applicable regulatory and ethical standards.

As Nicola Mining advances its projects in British Columbia, we remain committed to continuous improvement in our ESG practices.

Our People

Nicola understands that our employees are critical to the achievement of our strategic goals.

Our management team seeks to impart on all Nicola employees the key foundational principles of safety, teamwork, respect, integrity and excellence in order to foster a positive corporate culture; one geared towards both individual and corporate success.

Our employees are the standard bearers of this team philosophy and their individual success is intrinsic to our overall successes.

Responsibility
& Governance

Nicola Mining prides itself on being an environmentally conscious miner that values both our shareholders and our environment. We understand the impacts of pollution and climate change on our environment, so we make a point to think outside the box exploring potential opportunities that mutually benefit our shareholders and our community. Measuring, monitoring, and reducing our impact on the environment is a team effort and is core to Nicola philosophy. Our employees are trained to mitigate the impact of our operations and to do "the right thing".

We are deeply committed to strong Indigenous Relations and Mutual Initiatives. We believe that, it is our responsibility to make every reasonable effort to engage those with traditional rights over the land on which we work and live.

Dust & Plant
Reclamation

Nicola Mining Inc. is a company that truly embraces ESG principles and environmental commitments. Our efforts are being recognized by both local communities and First Nations, as highlighted by Spuzzum First Nations nominating Nicola Mining Inc. for the Annual BC Mine Reclamation Award as top Metal Mines reclamation company for 2024. Please click here to read Spuzzum’s press release.

Nicola continues to expand its focus on minimizing dust from historic tailings located at our New Craigmont Mine Site, located near Merritt, British Columbia, which were deposited up until 1982. Our current management places great emphasis on solving the historic dust issues left by the site’s historic operations and continues to work diligently on a multi-year project focus that includes depositing fill on top of the historic tailings in order to reduce tailings dust.

On June 18, 2020, we received a permit amendment allowing us to import materials – fly ash and reclaimed soil – as part of our long-term New Craigmont Mine Site reclamation plans. On October 21, 2020, Nicola received an additional amendment allowing it to receive Trans Mountain material for remediation purposes.

All material brought to the site is tested to assure environmental compliance. In connection with these reclamation efforts, we have established test plots, covered with fly ash and seeded with plants native to the region. We are proud to say that the outcomes of our test plots have been encouraging.

Remediated soil and local soils generated from the Transmountain Expansion Project were deposited in 2021 and seeded in the spring of 2022. Of key importance is that native grass species can flourish without irrigation. Nicola seeded two new plots: Plot 4 and Plot 5 this past Spring, 2023.

Ongoing Dust Reclamation at Craigmont

The greatest concern from both First Nations and local communities has been the fugitive dust originating from the Tailings Storage Facilities (“TSF”). New Craigmont is the legacy of the historic Craigmont Copper Mine, which operated from 1962 to 1982 and precedes current ownership. However, current management has made it a priority to continue a long-term commitment towards dust suppression.

On June 18, 2020, Nicola’s Mine Act Permit M-68 was amended, approving the import and storage of fly ash and remediated soils, as well as having test pad trials for reclamation purposes. Test plots (see images and video above) are comprised of soils originating from Nicola Green Energy (fly and bottom ash), remediated, local (mainly from the 2021 flooding), and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and are placed on top of the tailings at depth of approximately 50-80 centimetres to provide a layer of fertile soil for vegetation to grow.

The plots are subsequently seeded with a native grass seed mix procured from a reputable seed retailer. The following mix, which was recommended by local ranchers and First Nation advisors were applied on the initial plot and reviewed by qualified environmental professionals.

Water

Nicola understands that water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource.

Although a necessary input for the mining process, we are committed to the environmentally responsible management of this important natural resource so as to avoid straining our local communities and our future supply.

With this in mind, Nicola voluntarily decreased its daily water permit for the betterment of our local community, as well as to better align with contemporary best mining practices.