Reducing our Environmental Footprint: One Trip at a Time

Red Lake Gold Mine’s Bike Share Program returns this month as the snow melts and roadways become clear. Entering its second year, the Bike Share Program at Red Lake Gold Mines was the brainchild of Dave Gelderland, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Red Lake.  After a trip to Toronto, he was inspired by the “Bixi bike program” and saw the value of having communal bikes available for employees at the mine site.  Employees are always moving and transporting goods from different parts of the three mine complexes that comprise our Red Lake Gold Mines. Dave saw an opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint by eliminating some of the trips that have historically been undertaken by fossil-fuel driven vehicles.

Employees also have the option to take casual rides on these bikes during their lunch breaks or after work. Currently, employees at the Red Lake Gold Mines have access to 10 company-owned bicycles that can be signed out and returned at different parts of the mine. This program initiative is a greener and more health conscious alternative as travel time between sites can now be used to get some fresh air and improve overall health.

When this program was first launched last spring, the bikes were used 574 times by over 100 different employees. Utilization is expected to grow this year as summer is around the corner, and employees enjoy the chance for a quick spin of the pedals. Congratulations Dave for demonstrating Goldcorp’s commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of our employees through health initiatives.