Agnico Eagle Mexico was recently recognized with the distinctive Mexico Without Child Labour Award, an honour that is presented annually by the Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social department of the Mexican government. The award recognizes workplaces that design and implement employment practices aimed at preventing and eliminating child labour and protecting its employees and young workers in Mexico by ensuring that no child labour, or any form of forced or compulsory labour, is permitted in the workplace.

Companies must also demonstrate that they support and implement programs which enable local children to gain access to a quality education and improve their overall quality of life, before they even enter the workforce.

In support of these objectives Agnico Eagle Mexico has planned and implemented a wide variety of positive initiatives, some of which include:

• Constructing, rehabilitating and modernizing school buildings and updating classrooms with new technology in order to draw in more students and keep them intellectually stimulated and engaged;
• Developing health and sports infrastructure (such as soccer pitches and playgrounds) and organizing events so children can stay physically active outside of school hours; and
• Educating teachers and parents to help them understand the broader importance of the Mexico Without Child Labour campaign and how they can help support it even further

“ We are honoured to receive this distinction and be recognized as among the best companies in Mexico,” said Gustavo Amador, General Manager, La India. “ Agnico Eagle views this program as an important commitment to our society, not only to eradicate child labour, but also a way to create a continuous cycle which will help improve the quality of life for these children who in turn can go on to become exemplary citizens and employees and themselves help contribute to a progressive labour environment.”