Description
Book SynopsisThe history of mining is replete with controversy of which much is related to environmental damage and consequent community outrage. Over recent decades, this has led to increased pressure to improve the environmental and social performance of mining operations, particularly in developing countries. The industry has responded by embracing the ideals of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Mining and the Environment identifies and discusses the wide range of social and environmental issues pertaining to mining, with particular reference to mining in developing countries, from where many of the project examples and case studies have been selected. Following an introductory overview of pressing issues, the book illustrates how environmental and social impact assessment, such as defined in The Equator Principles, integrates with the mining lifecycle and how environmental and social management aims to eliminate the negative and accentuate the
Table of Contents
Minerals, Wealth, and Progress. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment - Protection Before Exploitation. Health Impact Assessment. Involving the Public - Forging Partnerships and Trust. The Anatomy of a Mine. Mining Methods Vary Widely - From Excavation to In-situ Leaching. Converting Minerals to Metals - From Ore to Finished Product. Our Environment - A Set of Natural and Man-made Features. The Baseline - Understanding the Host Environment. Identifying and Evaluating Impacts - Linking Cause and Effect. Cumulative and Transboundary Impact Assessment. Emphasizing Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring - Managing What Matters. Metals, Their Biological Functions and Harmful Impacts - Metals are Naturally Occurring Elements. Coal - Its Use as Fuel, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Was the Environmental Assessment Adequate? Identifying Issues, Finding Solutions. The Range of Environmental and Social Concerns - Separating Fact From Fantasy. Land Acquisition and Resettlement - When Property and Development Rights Collide. Community Development - Ensuring Long Term Benefits. Indigenous Peoples Issues - Respecting the Differences. Gender in the Mining Industry. Biodiversity and Conservation. Acid Rock Drainage - The Unseen Legacy. Tailings Disposal - Concepts and Practices. Approaches to Waste Rock Disposal - Issues and Risks. Erosion - The Perpetual Disruptive Forces of Water and Wind. Mine Closure - It is not Over When it is Over. Looking Ahead.
