DRILLING: Rouillier earns first EcoLogo certification for exploration

[caption id="attachment_1003731470" align="aligncenter" width="424"] Rouillier Drilling is the first mineral exploration industry supplier to earn the UL EcoLogo. (Image: Rouillier Drilling)[/caption] ROUYN-NORANDA, Que. – The team at Rouillier Drilling are proud to be the first company to be awarded the Underwriters Lab’s 2724: EcoLogo Certification for Suppliers of the Mineral Exploration Industry. The last step of the certification process, which includes the results of the audits, the use of the EcoLogo mark and a listing on UL's Sustainable Product Database (SPOT), has been successfully completed. In collaboration with the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA), Rouillier Drilling was part of the process to develop a standard and obtain certification in mining exploration since 2013. As a world first in this sector, the certification initiative was created in response to mining exploration stakeholders' and investors' concerns regarding compliance with environmental standards and the social acceptability of projects. Two types of certification programs have been developed:

• UL 2723: EcoLogo certification program for mining exploration companies.
• UL 2724: EcoLogo certification program for service providers in the mining exploration sector.

This launch for companies in the mining exploration sector is a sign of the times. Rouillier says that, as corporate citizens, it must do its part to protect the environment and resources. This initiative is intended to be a guideline for mineral exploration stakeholders, but also a way to ensure respect for the communities near mining projects while ensuring the acceptability of our activities and actions. Launched by UL, a leading science safety organization, these first programs for the mining exploration sector aim to recognize and promote environmental, economic and social best practices. This project was initiated by the QMEA in partnership with the government of Quebec, the MISA Group, the UQAT-UQAM Chair in Mining Entrepreneurship – which was at the origin of the development of the standard – and UL, which now oversees the program. The program is available to Quebec companies and will soon be available to companies operating across Canada. Rouillier is a family run business founded in 1977 – that’s three generations working in the diamond surface drilling business. Visit the website at www.ForagesRouillier.com.