Great Panther Mining Limited (TSE:GPR) (NYSEAMERICAN:GPL) (FRA:G3U) announced the publication of its 2020 "Mining For Good" sustainability report, which saw the gold and silver miner reduce its water consumption, nearly double its community engagement expenditure and establish a diversity policy.
"This year's report not only explores how we have further advanced our sustainability programs, but also sets new performance targets for continual improvement as we emerge from what was arguably one of the most challenging years of our lifetimes," said Robert Henderson, CEO of Great Panther.
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Highlights from the report included the miner's water use decreased 4.4% compared to 2019, while 82% of the water used was recycled.
The group's community engagement expenditure came in at C$740,000 in 2020, largely to support the company's COVID-19 response strategy, with over 21,000 beneficiaries from its programs.
It also established a diversity policy concerning its board of directors and senior management. Women held 24% of leadership positions, including superintendents, managers, directors and vice presidents, and represented 16% of Great Panther's total workforce, it noted.
Great Panther also noted that it had improved safety performance statistics across all its sites with a 57% reduction to the lost time injury frequency rate and a 50% reduction to the lost time severity rate compared to 2019.
Despite these improvements, the company added that it had been saddened to report a fatality at its Guanajuato Mine Complex in May 2020.
The miner "continuously updates its safety procedures and practices and provides ongoing safety training for employees and contractors," it added.
Great Panther owns a diversified portfolio of assets in Brazil, Mexico and Peru, including three operating gold and silver mines, four exploration projects, and an advanced development project.
The report and accompanying 2020 performance data and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Index are available to download on Great Panther's website HERE.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com