Mining and the Environment-From Ore to Metal

1 Minerals, Wealth, and Progress 
1.1 History of Mining 
1.2 The Path of Minerals from Cradle to Grave 
1.3 Ore–A Natural Resource Curse or Blessing? 
1.4 What Makes the Mining Industry Different? 
1.5 The Unique Risk Profile of Mining 
1.6 Meeting Environmental Issues Head On 
1.7 Environmental Assessment Practice–Eliminate the Negative, Accentuate the Positive 
1.8 The Equator Principles–Improved Practices for Better Outcomes 
1.9 Mining and Sustainability 
References 
2 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
Protection Before Exploitation 
2.1 Responsibilities of Mining Companies During Environmental Assessment 
2.2 Environmental Assessment In The Mining Cycle 
2.3 Managing Environmental Assessment 
2.4 Common Themes And Core Principles 
2.5 When is an ESIA Required? 
2.6 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Step-by-Step 
2.7 Documenting the Findings 
2.8 Obtaining ESIA Approval 
2.9 The Costs of Delay 
2.10 What Environmental Assessment is Not 
Appendix 2.1 Data Needs 
References 
3 Health Impact Assessment 
3.1 Health and its Determinants 
3.2 What is a Health Impact Assessment? 
3.3 Screening 
3.4 Scoping 
3.5 Community and Stakeholder Engagement 
3.6 Community Health Baseline Survey 
3.7 Assessment 
3.8 Management 
3.9 Monitoring 
References 
4 Involving the Public
Forging Partnerships and Trust 
4.1 Historical Perspective 
4.2 Planning Stakeholder Involvement 
4.3 Getting to Know Your Stakeholders 
4.4 How to Identify Stakeholders? 
4.5 Engaging Stakeholders 
4.6 Conflict Identification and Management 
4.7 Understanding the Benefits and Risks of Public Involvement 
4.8 Common Mistakes 
References 
5 The Anatomy of a Mine 
5.1 It All Begins in the Earth 
5.2 Exploration–From Reviewing Data to Taking Bulk Samples 
5.3 Feasibility–Is It Worth Mining? 
5.4 Engineering, Procurement, and Construction 
5.5 Mining 
5.6 Ore Dressing and Thickening 
5.7 Ancillary Facilities 
5.8 Design for Closure 
References 
6 Mining Methods Vary Widely
From Excavation to In-situ Leaching 
6.1 The Three Main Categories of Commerical Minerals 
6.2 Mining Methods 
6.3 Artisanal Mining–Mining Outside Established Law 
6 Converting Minerals to Metals
From Ore to Finished Product 
7.1 Pyrometallurgical Mineral Processing–The Use of Fire 
7.2 Hydrometallurgical Mineral Processing–Dissolving Metals Away from Gangue 
7.3 Common Techniques To Estimate Emissions 
Appendix 7.1 Products of Mining, Their Sources and Processing Requirements 
Appendix 7.2 Mineral Processes and Their Impacts 
References 
8 Our Environment
A Set of Natural and Man-made Features 
8.1 The Atmosphere–Air, Weather, and Climate 
8.2 The Lithosphere–Geology, Landform, and Earth Resources 
8.3 The Hydrosphere–Storage and Movement of Water 
8.4 The Biosphere–Life on Earth 
8.5 The Social Sphere–Social and Cultural Fabric of Society 
8.6 The Economic Sphere–Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Goods and Services 
8.7 Judging the State and Value of the Environment 
8.8 What are Nature’s Economic Values? 
8.9 International Law Pertaining to Natural and Environmental Resources 
References 
9 The Baseline
Understanding the Host Environment 
9.1 The Use of Indicators 
9.2 Environmental Scoping 
9.3 Conducting Baseline Surveys–Ways and Means 
9.4 Converting Data to Information 
9.5 The Use of Remote Sensing Techniques and Geographic Information Systems 
References 
10 Identifying and Evaluating Impacts
Linking Cause and Effect 
10.1 Defining the Challenges 
10.2 Deciding on A Direction 
10.3 Deciding on the Methodology 
10.4 Linking Cause and Effect 
10.5 Identifying Project Impacts 
10.6 Evaluating Project Impacts 
10.7 Cultural Heritage Sites and Mine Development 
10.8 The Special Nature of Community Impacts 
10.9 Environmental Justice 
10.10 Group Decision-Making in Environmental Assessment 
10.11 Reflecting on the Objective Nature of Environmental Assessment 
10.12 Dealing with Uncertainties and Risks 
References 
11 Cumulative and Transboundary Impact Assessment 
11.1 Definitions 
11.2 Coal Mining in Central Kalimantan 
11.3 Area of Influence 
11.4 Valued Ecosystem Components in Area of Influence 
11.5 Baseline Status of Valued Ecosystem Components in Area of Influence 
11.6 Other Activities in Area of Influence and Environmental Drivers 
11.7 Cumulative Impacts on VECs and their Significance 
11.8 Management Actions 
11.9 Main Challenges in Cumulative Impact Assessments 
11.10 Regional Planning Based on Cumulative Impact Assessment 
References 
12 Emphasizing Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring
Managing What Matters 
12.1 Success Factors for Environmental and Social Management 
12.2 The Key Components of an ESMS 
12.3 Benefits and Limitations 
References 
13 Metals, Their Biological Functions and Harmful ImpactsMetals are Naturally Occurring Elements 
13.1 Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity of Metals 
13.2 Some Notes on Selected Metals 
13.3 Metals, Minerals and Rock 
References
14 Coal
Its Use as Fuel, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
14.1 Coal Formation 
14.2 Coal Mining and the Release of Methane 
14.3 Emissions from Coal Combustion 
References 
15 Was the Environmental Assessment Adequate?
Identifying Issues, Finding Solutions 
15.1 Reviewing the Environmental and Social Impact Statement 
15.2 Environmental Mine Audits 
15.3 Sometimes Things Go Wrong 
References 
16 The Range of Environmental and Social Concerns
Separating Fact From Fantasy 
16.1 Changes in Landform 
16.2 Mine Wastes 
16.3 Mine Effluents, Acid Rock Drainage and Water Balance 
16.4 Air Quality and Climate Change 
16.5 Biodiversity and Habitats 
16.6 Social and Economic Change 
16.7 Surface Mining Versus Underground Mining 
16.8 Accidental Environmental Impacts 
16.9 Uranium Mining 
Appendix 16.1 An Overview of Environmental and Social Risks and Potential Financial Implications 
References 
17 Land Acquisition and Resettlement
When Property and Development Rights Collide 
17.1 Some Useful Definitions 
17.2 What Determines The Severity of Resettlement Losses? 
17.3 Resettlement Priorities 
17.4 Compensation for Resettlement Losses and Restoration of Livelihood– A Right, Not a Need 
17.5 Land Acquisition and Related Issues 
17.6 Livelihood Restoration–Realizing Sustainable Value in the Compensation of Lost Assests 
17.7 The Social Risks of Resettlement 
17.8 Managing Land Acquisition and Resettlement 
17.9 Artisanal Mining and Involuntary Resettlement 
References 
18 Community Development
Ensuring Long Term Benefits 
18.1 What Defines A Community? 
18.2 Pointers to Success 
18.3 Community Development Process 
18.4 Preparing for Mine Closure 
18.5 Community Programs–What to Do? 
18.6 Local Benefits Do Not Always Eventuate 
18.7 Common Problems and Solutions 
Appendix 18 Evaluating Community Development Programs 
References 
19 Indigenous Peoples Issues
Respecting the Differences 
19.1 Who Are Indigenous Peoples? 
19.2 Reasons For Concern 
19.3 Important Characteristics of Indigenous Societies 
19.4 Issues and Opportunities 
19.5 Strategies for Interaction with Indigenous Communities 
19.6 Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
19.7 Responsibilities of Mining Companies in Relation to Indigenous Peoples 
19.8 Preserving or Restoring Autonomy: Partnering for the Long Term 
19.9 Project Preparation 
19.10 In Operation and Closing Down 
19.11 Conclusions 
References 
20 Gender in the Mining Industry 
20.1 Definitions, Gender Mainstreaming, and Gender Equality 
20.2 History of Women in Mining 
20.3 Present-Day Mining and Gender 
20.4 Other Approaches to Gender Assessment 
20.5 What Works to Address Gender Inequity? 
20.6 Outlook into a Gender Equal Future 
References 
21 Biodiversity and Conservation 
21.1 What is Critical Habitat? 
21.2 Identification and Assessment of Critical Habitat 
21.3 Biodiversity Action Plan 
21.4 Biodiversity Management Plans and Procedures 
References 
22 Acid Rock Drainage
The Unseen Legacy 
22.1 Nature and Significance of Acid Rock Drainage 
22.2 Evaluating and Managing ARD 
References 
23 Tailings Disposal
Concepts and Practices 
23.1 Deciding on the Tailings Disposal Scheme 
23.2 Alternative Approaches to Tailings Disposal 
23.3 Surface Tailings Storage 
23.4 Submarine Tailings Placement 
References 
24 Approaches to Waste Rock Disposal
Issues and Risks 
24.1 Nature and Characteristics of Waste Rock 
24.2 Potential Impacts of Waste Rock Disposal 
24.3 Objectives of Waste Rock Disposal 
24.4 Site Selection for Waste Rock Storages 
24.5 Alternative Design and Construction Approaches 
24.6 Landform Design 
24.7 Short-Term and Long-Term Erosion Control 
24.8 Monitoring 
References 
Contents
25 Erosion
The Perpetual Disruptive Forces of Water and Wind 
25.1 Surface Water Erosion 
25.2 Wind Erosion 
References 
26 Mine Closure
It is not Over When it is Over 
26.1 Reasons for Mine Closure 
26.2 Objectives of Mine Closure 
26.3 Financing Mine Closure–The ‘Polluter Pays’ Principle 
26.4 Rehabilitation 
26.5 Pit Lakes 
26.6 Social Aspects of Mine Closure 
References 
27 Looking Ahead 
27.1 Existing Trends in the Mining Sector 
27.2 Trends in Environmental Practice 
27.3 On and Beyond the Horizon–Global Change and Challenges 
27.4 Concluding Remarks 
References