Community Meetings
PotashCorp participated in or conducted 124 meetings with members of the public and 50 meetings with community advisory panels in 2007. These promote healthy dialogue and help the company to better understand and respond to stakeholder concerns.
Community Engagement by PotashCorp's Operating Sites 2007 |
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| Nitrogen Division | Potash Division | Phosphate Division | Total | |
| Meetings with Community Advisory Panels | 40 | 0 | 10 | 50 |
| Public Meetings | 1 | 15 | 108 | 124 |
| Meetings with Legislators | 59 | 23 | 89 | 171 |
| Meetings with Municipal Officials | 5 | 9 | 26 | 40 |
| Informal Meetings | 0 | 14 | 26 | 40 |
| Total Meetings | 105 | 61 | 259 | 425 |
| Source: PotashCorp | ||||
Meetings with Officials
PotashCorp also held 211 meetings with legislators and municipal officials. Many of these meetings relate to permitting and regulatory issues. In particular, public affairs staff at the Aurora and White Springs phosphate operations meet regularly with state and local officials. They are actively involved with regulatory, permitting and environmental issues associated with their respective production sites.
Surveys of Community Leaders
In 2007, surveys were completed with community leaders at Allan, New Brunswick and Geismar. These surveys are part of the proactive approach that the company takes to measure perceptions of its community involvement; its business practices, specifically in the areas of safety, health and environment; and its impact on local economies. Each survey contains several standard questions and at least one question specific to the community.
These community surveys revealed support for PotashCorp's operations at each site. Significant site-specific issues included the following:
- The Allan survey indicated that, while PotashCorp performs well in responding to questions raised by the community, it needs to be more proactive in keeping the community abreast of what is happening at the mine. To address these needs, the site has: forwarded information to the Allan Community Newsletter on site issues; held a public meeting on the proposed changes to its operations and made a presentation to the Blucher council; hosted the Mine Rescue Competition at the Allan Communiplex which was open to all residents; provided training at Allan High School; and is currently working with the Allan Museum on a display commemorating 40 years of operation at the site.
- The New Brunswick survey indicated that awareness of PotashCorp donations to the community is low, even though the company is seen as a generous benefactor. In addition, respondents had environmental concerns about brine discharge into the ocean and about the impact of construction of a new pipeline. To address these needs, the site has updated its employees on donations to the community and held public open houses on its expansion project and brine pipeline project.
- The Geismar survey identified a significant group of respondents who were not aware of PotashCorp or its community activities, and who believe the company maintains too low a profile. To address this concern, the site is continuing with activities to raise its profile. It participates in two Citizen Advisory Panels, each meeting once per month. The site discusses plant information and local community concerns. Geismar achieved its largest participation in the matching gift donations program, both in terms of the number of employees involved and the amount of money given. It is working with G.W. Carver School through the Adopt-a-School program.
On a corporate level, in response to the community survey findings, the 2008 Communications Plan will include the development of advertising and newsletter templates to assist local mine management to increase the flow of information to communities about PotashCorp operations.
Trinidad Community Projects
In 2006, a Community Leaders Survey was conducted at Trinidad. As stated, these surveys are a proactive way for the company to receive suggestions and improve its community relations. In this survey, the company specifically asked the participants how it could play a more proactive role in the community and learned that the community was receptive to PotashCorp taking a leadership role in the community, particularly in agriculture. In response, PotashCorp committed to implementing an agricultural sustainability project. This project involves the establishment of the PCS Model Farm and Agricultural Resource Center and will be implemented over a two-year period commencing in 2008. It will provide the local farming community with training on new and revolutionary agricultural management practices and technology at no cost to the farmer. The Trinidad and Tobago government has agreed to lease to PotashCorp 75 acres of land. The land is being prepared and three greenhouses procured in order to be able to achieve the first harvest from the model farm by December 2008. Field training on two-acre demonstration plots will commence in the third quarter of 2008 at the agricultural center. Three additional greenhouses are scheduled to be built in 2009.
Responding to Community Issues in 2007
Responding to Community Concerns
Community issues were raised at a number of operating sites in 2007, especially impacts on water. The following table illustrates how PotashCorp responded.
How PotashCorp Responded to Community Issues in 2007 |
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| Site | Issues/Concerns | Site Response |
Aurora |
In Aurora, the Pamlico Tar River Association is opposing the mining permit we are seeking. We received five odor complaints in 2007, four from the same person. One homeowner complained about impacts of groundwater withdrawal on their wellwater supplies north of the Pamlico River. |
We work with the Pamlico Tar River Association by trying to maintain dialogue with them and providing them with accurate information. We investigated each complaint and got in touch with the caller with the results of our investigation. On two occasions we notified the caller that due to a start-up and the wind directions, it could have been us. We apologized and asked the person to notify us if it happened again. We installed deep well pumps on the affected homeowner's wells. |
White Springs |
While declining, there is still a negative perception of the impact of White Springs phosphate mining operations on the local environment. | White Springs is addressing this issue through positive community outreach and education about mining. We conducted 38 site tours in 2007, which assisted in educating local groups about our mining process and environmental stewardship. |
Fosfatos do Brasil |
There were community concerns about dust emissions from our Fosfatos operations in Brazil. | Replacement of the cyclone in early 2008 will reduce emissions. |
Trinidad |
Community concerns at the Trinidad operations are related to odor, noise, emergency response and environmental impacts. | The facility has a 24-hour emission complaint telephone line to address concerns. It has the only emergency response truck and trailer in the industrial complex where it is located. The facility continues a dialogue with the community through organizations that include the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce and Point Lisas Energy Association of CEOs. |
New Brunswick |
Wellwater problems are still being experienced by some households in Penobsquis. Residents were unhappy about the delays in bringing in piped water and raised health concerns over the condition of their temporary water systems. | The local government made a commitment to the residents to provide a regional water supply by developing a source well and constructing a pipeline to supply homes in the area by the end of 2007. However, the project was delayed until 2008. PotashCorp's New Brunswick division continues to supply drinking water and coolers to affected residents and made a commitment to provide funding for a portion of the water pipeline project. |
Allan |
A local farmer wrote to Saskatchewan Environment raising concerns about the integrity of the containment dykes, subsidence, flow of surface and ground water and the environmental impacts of potash mining. | A meeting was held with the resident to discuss his concerns. The General Manager responded in writing and reiterated that the site will work with any neighbors affected by mining operations to resolve problems. Saskatchewan Environment also replied to the resident and provided further information on environmental regulations pertaining to the potash industry. |
Patience Lake |
The community was concerned about rising lake levels due to two back-to-back years of above-normal precipitation and high run-off. | In 2007, the brine disposal well was reactivated to pump excess brine out and into the deadwood formation. A second disposal well will be installed in 2008. |