GUIDE

• Introduction

• Technical and Operational

• Managerial

• Regulations and Standards
  

1. Introduction
It is impossible to solve all problems from the world-wide web. Rather, we have tried to present different means of finding solutions to problems, and possible sources of useful information. Many problems are site-specific, requiring particular solutions or responses tailor-made to their specific situation. However, there are some generalised sources of help. Here are a few suggestions:

• This web site  is trying to address the issue of mining and the environment, and to provide generic resources, as well as a forum to discuss common problems. We recommend that you browse the site, as it has:

• news of interest to those interested in mining and the environment

• details of upcoming events and conferences

• information about relevant documents, some of which may be downloaded

• discussions on current issues

• links to online databases

• links to related sites and resources

• Another very useful resource is the set of Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining booklets that is being produced by Environment Australia, the Australian government environment agency. Limited sections of the booklets are available on the web.

• The United Nations Environment Programme Industry and Environment centre (UNEP IE) has prepared, in collaboration with the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME), a set of case studies that illustrate what can be done. An abstract and information on how to obtain Case Studies Illustrating Environmental Practices in Mining and Metallurgical Processes is available on this site.

• The World Energy Efficiency Association has information and resources on efforts to improve energy efficiency.

• Want to find information on tailings dams?   UNEP IE and ICME, mentioned above, are preparing a book of case studies on best practice in tailings dam regulation, management and operation. Contact them for further information. In the meantime, the following publications are available:

• Environmental and Safety Incidents at Tailings Dams at Mines, which is a survey of incidents that took place between the years 1980-1996. Published by UNEP IE in collaboration with Mining Journal Research Services.

• A Guide to Tailings Dams and Impoundments, which is a technical manual on the design, construction, use and rehabilitation of tailings dams. Published by UNEP IE and the International Commission on Large Dams.

• Global warming is a major current issue. Here are some links if you’re looking for information on what the issues are, and how some people are responding to them:

  • The instrument setting out international intentions with respect to global warming is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Secretariat’s web site hosts the text of the convention, the recent Kyoto Protocol, and plenty of information on the convention.

  • Weathervane has a page that explains the convention and protocol jargon, and a glossary of the multitude of terms they use.

  • The World Resources Institute’s web site has information on many environmental topics, including, for example, statistics on global carbon dioxide production. (The actual statistics are only available in a pdf file.)

  • The Australian minerals industry has launched a Greenhouse Challenge.

  • The Canadian mining industry’s initiative is described in the annual report of the Mining Association of Canada.  The MAC has also produced an Energy Efficiency Planning Guide.

• If you have a query about chemicals and related issues, try UNEP Chemicals online.

2. Technical and Operational
Since there is such a wide variety of types of mining operations, there are many different technology options available.  We unfortunately know of no one-stop sites for technological answers to environmental problems. In addition to the general sites mentioned in the introduction, some options are as follows:

• The Mineral Industry Research Organisation is an industry-funded research and information organisation that specialises in assisting member organisations to locate, develop and transfer innovative technology.

• EnviroNET Australia has information on resources available predominantly in Australia. There is much information on technologies and other resources that are applicable to mining.

• The Enviromine site is devoted to the identification and dissemination of mining environmental technology and providing a forum for discussing environmental issues.

• Intermediate Technology is an international development agency which works with rural communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America in various areas, including mining.

• Several mining schools and research institutes are listed under Related Sites. These will have in depth knowledge of current technologies.

• Publications on the environmental management of nickel production, of hazardous waste, of non-ferrous metals, and many other topics, are available from UNEP IE.

3. Managerial
Effective environmental management requires an environmental management system (EMS) to ensure that the desired practices and standards are maintained at a mine site. A carefully prepared EMS is an essential and integral component of the overall company management system right from the outset of exploration activities, and therefore of planning for eventual mine closure and decommissioning. By assessing and monitoring the company’s environmental management programme, regulators are able to ensure that proper environmental management practices and standards are observed, and thus the public are better informed as well.

The ISO 14 000 series is the best known international standards for the preparation and implementation of an EMS. ISO 14 000 comprises a family of international standards currently being developed through international consensus in a process lasting several years. The standard is available from standardisation bodies in individual countries.

In addition to the general sites mentioned in the introduction, here are some suggested resources:

• Environmental Management of Mine Sites: Training Manual is a resource for training personnel in the field of EMS. The manual contains both technical information for course presenters and resource materials suitable for further development of training workshops based upon actual case studies.

• UNEP IE, the International Chamber of Commerce and the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) have produced an EMS Training Resource Kit. It gives trainers and managers the tools necessary to conduct training courses in EMS.

• The Environmental Management Systems module of the Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining series is a practical handbook.

• Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is usually part of an EMS. The International Association for Impact Assessment’s list of introductory references on EIAs (and on other types of impact assessments as well) is very useful.  The Environmental Impact Assessment module of the Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining series is a practical handbook.

• A tool that can be used within the context of an EMS is environmental technology assessment (EnTA). It helps decision makers compare a technology to alternative technologies by highlighting the environmental advantages and disadvantages of each, taking into consideration local conditions and infrastructure issues. For example EnTA could be used to compare different extraction technologies.

4. Regulations and Standards
In addition to the general sites mentioned in the introduction, some options are as follows:

• The World Wide Web Virtual Library page on environmental law is probably as comprehensive a list of sites on the subjects as you will find. However, because it’s so big, it takes quite a while to navigate your way through it to find what you’re looking for.

• If you’re looking for information on international environmental conventions, UNEP’s site maintains links to those which fall under its mandate.

• The United States Environmental Protection Agency has published profiles on a variety of industry sectors, including several mining and minerals related sectors. They provide very useful overviews of the US situation. The complete documents may be downloaded from their site, but diagrams and graphs are not included. Each profile includes the following topics:

• a comprehensive environmental profile;

• industrial process information;

• pollution prevention techniques;

• pollutant release data;

• regulatory requirements;

• compliance/enforcement history;

• government and industry partnerships;

• innovative programs;

• contact names;

• bibliographic references; and

• description of research methodology.

• South Africa has recently revised its environmental policy. Read the policy, as well as what the Chamber of Mines and the Congress of South African Trade Unions have to say about it.

• Several government agencies are listed under Related Sites. You might want to have a look at what different governments are doing.

• The laws of many countries are available online. For example, you may wish to look up the laws of France.