Materiality assessment

This Report is an important tool we use to communicate with our various external stakeholders and we conduct an annual materiality assessment to identify the key topics and aspects that should receive attention in this Report. Although we have a clear understanding of what is important from an internal perspective, the annual materiality assessment process enables us to consider external views when we are identifying and selecting the sustainability topics to report on.

We use the Global Reporting Initiative’s definition of materiality to determine the material topics to include in our Report. A topic is material if, in the view of senior management and/or key stakeholder groups, it is of such importance that it could in the short, medium or long term:

  • Have a substantive influence on the assessments and decisions of our stakeholders, or
  • Significantly impact Eldorado’s economic, environmental and social performance

Identification

As part of our formal process to identify material topics, we analyzed the prominent internal and external trends and events of 2015.

External Analysis

The mining industry engages with many interest groups, including governments, investors, contractors and suppliers, service providers, mining-affected communities, civil society organizations, organized labour, academia, research institutions and downstream users. When thinking about the most important topics of 2015, we considered the various perceptions that external stakeholder groups hold regarding the performance of Eldorado and the mining industry in general. We relied on stakeholder engagement records and other internal communications, as well as external resources such as media and industry reports to identify the material topics of greatest concern to external stakeholder groups.

Internal Analysis

Building on the comprehensive materiality assessment conducted by a third party for the 2014 Sustainability Report, we asked key internal stakeholders across our offices, operations and projects to identify the key achievements, challenges and trends of 2015. The results of this survey were then analyzed in the context of the wider trends and events in the mining industry; global economic, social and environmental conditions; political landscapes; and popular opinion.

Principles that guide our identification of material issues include:

  • Stakeholder Inclusiveness: Have we identified and engaged with our key stakeholders?
  • Relevance: Have we considered the relevance of all identified issues?
  • Significance: How important is the topic to our stakeholders?
  • Control: How much do we own or control the issue?
  • Influence: How do we influence the issue?
  • Transparency: Are we clearly and openly reporting on the issue?

Prioritization

Over 40 topics were identified during the materiality assessment process. We assessed the relative importance of each topic to inform how much coverage we should allocate to the topic in our Report. If a topic is of greater importance, we include greater analysis of and commentary on the issue to explain how it impacts or could potentially impact Eldorado or its stakeholder groups, and how we manage the topic.

The top 13 material topics are outlined in the matrix on the next page based on the significance of their economic, environmental and social impacts, as well as their influence on the assessments and decisions of stakeholders.

Results and Analysis

Our stakeholders are interested in the issues and risks that affect Eldorado’s long-term business performance and sustainable development. The most significant trend identified in 2015 is the strong desire for more complete, comprehensive and transparent communication on environmental, social and governance performance. This has informed our approach to reporting on all of our material topics this year.

materiality assessment graphic

Details 04/02/2015