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PRESS RELEASE
Information ReleaseICME/UNEP WorkshopEmergency Preparedness and Response in the Mining IndustryBrussels, 29 May 2000: The International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held a half-day Workshop to discuss Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Mining Industry. Like all industrial sectors, the mining and metallurgical industry has risks specifically related to its operations. Some risks however, such as those related to storage, handling, transportation, and the use of toxic chemicals are similar to those in other industries. While there are not many mining related accidents, there is scope for improvement in emergency response planning and preparedness by mining companies as well as by government authorities. Over the last 25 years there have been some 33 accidents resulting in environmental releases including the 1998 tailings dam failure at the Los Frailes mine in Spain and the tailings dam overflow and breach in Baia Mare, Romania. At the Workshop some 40 industry participants heard about emergency prevention and co-ordinated response strategies in the mining and chemical industries, about post Baia Mare developments in the European Commission and about the UNEP Programme "Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level" (APELL). APELL is a detailed procedural guide for a process to develop and implement emergency prevention and response plans, which have two major elements. It involves not only industries and authorities but also the public who may be affected by accidents in the process. It also provides a coordinated, timely and effective disaster response plan. APELL has already been adopted and successfully implemented in other industrial sectors worldwide. The discussion focused on approaches to emergency preparedness for small, medium and large mining operations worldwide and the need to improve environmental performance and to build trust and credibility with all stakeholders. The Workshop participants acknowledged that emergency preparedness involves commitment at the highest levels of corporate management. Emergency planning, prevention and mitigation not only involves close co-operation with the authorities and those people who may be affected by a disaster, but also must involve adequate, site related training. Options discussed for action at the global level include: the preparation of successful case studies of emergency preparedness in the industry; a new handbook for the application of APELL principles at mine and metallurgical sites; and, training and awareness-raising seminars. UNEP and ICME are assessing these options considering ways to involve industry, governments, and public organisations. For more information Dr. Irwin Itzkovitch, ICME Fritz Balkau, UNEP |
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