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As a global leader in environmental stewardship, De Beers Canada was pleased to participate in a water stewardship educational event for about 100 youth in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
“Water is a critical part of life and these students had a great opportunity to understand it better,” said LeeAnn Malley, an Environment Department data analyst based in De Beers’ Yellowknife office.
LeeAnn, who holds and Honours Bachelor of Science degree, represented De Beers at the 10th Annual Rivers & Oceans Day in Yellowknife, NWT on June 13. The event was meant to promote stewardship and awareness of water resources and fish. It was organized by Ecology North, a local non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Government of the Northwest Territories’ Environment and Natural Resources Department, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other partners.
“By being present at an event like ‘Rivers To Oceans’, De Beers is able to make a positive statement about our commitment to water and the environment,” LeeAnn said. “De Beers is a leader, a steward of the environment, and we care. We participated alongside fellow mining companies, regulatory agencies, Indigenous organizations and others – all wanting to promote water protection awareness.”
At her display, the 100 students from Grades 1 to 5 who attended the event were able to see how water passes through different materials in the earth. Students left with the understanding that to protect ground water, we must also protect soils from pollution.
In 2016, The De Beers Group of Companies made significant strides in environmental protection, including setting aside 164,000 hectares of land for conservation in southern Africa, reduced water usage across our operations by 300,000,000 litres, and cut CO2 emissions by nine percent. For more, read the 2016 Building Forever, the De Beers Group of Companies annual Report to Society.