BHP Billiton is inspired by its employees and contractors at the Jansen Project and in Saskatoon, who have raised over $200,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation with their Paint Saskatchewan Pink 2 event.
The event, which saw about 680 employees and contractors take part over two days last week, was initiated and driven by employees and supported by the company with its matched giving program. The events involved a public barbecue, breast cancer awareness programs and personal initiatives by employees.
The funds will be donated to the Prairies/NWT Region of the Foundation and will go towards breast cancer research, education and awareness programs. This is the second year BHP Billiton employees have run the Paint Saskatchewan Pink event, having raised $105,000 in 2011.
Over the past year, BHP Billiton in Saskatchewan has acted on the company's core value of supporting communities, and has invested almost $2 million in community programs and sponsorships.
"Here in Saskatchewan we do not yet have an operating potash mine delivering profits, but we are proud to be able to make a difference in the communities in which we live and work nonetheless," said Tim Cutt, President of BHP Billiton Canada Inc. "I am particularly proud of the efforts of our employees and contractors and want to thank and congratulate them for their efforts in Paint Saskatchewan Pink. Cancer is something most of us have been affected by and their efforts will be an enormous contribution to creating a future without breast cancer in particular," he added.
Some of the Saskatchewan programs that have benefited from BHP Billiton support in the past year are Breakfast for Learning, the Saskatchewan Brain Industry Association and the Punnichy carpentry program. BHP Billiton also supports the International Minerals Innovation Institute, which aims to develop skills that will enable the growth and global competitiveness of the Saskatchewan minerals industry.
BHP Billiton has a global commitment to supporting community programs and spends an average of 1% of its pre-tax profits on community support around the world (calculated on a rolling three-year average).
About BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is one of the world's leading diversified resources companies and is developing a new potash business based in Saskatchewan. The Jansen Project, about 120km east of Saskatoon, is the most advanced of BHP Billiton's projects, with about 480 people on site focused on preparing to sink the two shafts from their current excavation of 45m to their eventual operating depth of about 1km.
BHP Billiton has invested about $1.2 billion in Jansen to date, and about $2 billion on potash in Saskatchewan, reflecting the company's commitment to develop a world class potash business based in the province.
