The Mining Association of Canada report makes it clear that the industry feels it has to respond to growing concerns of Canadians about environment and impacts of mining. However, the report does nothing to reassure us about the effectiveness of voluntary emission reductions.
The data in the MAC Report is based on the ARET (Accelerated Reduction/ Emission of Toxic Substances) program that was launched by government and industry in 1994. This program created a voluntary program for emission reduction. Companies are responsible for collecting and reporting their own data. There is no external verification.(i)
Environmental groups that had been involved in the ARET program planning withdrew early on, stating that voluntary programs were not going to make substantive lasting changes. They have been proven right.