Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Impact Statement (EIS), an Environmental Action Plan (EAP), and a suite of documents
focusing on selected topics such as baseline conditions, land acquisition, resettlement, pub-
lic consultation, community development, and environmental, health, and safety man-
agement. The preparation of these documents is a fundamental part of environmental
planning and should be viewed as an essential part of mine planning for all production
activities, and for all but very limited exploration activities. Objectives of the environmen-
tal impact assessment at this stage are to:
●
Identify sensitive components of the existing environment within the mine area and its
surroundings, and to ensure that biodiversity issues are adequately addressed;
●
Assist mine design and planning by identifying those aspects of location, construction,
operation, and decommissioning which may cause environmental and social concerns;
●
Enable adverse environmental, economic, and social impacts to be anticipated;
●
Develop indicators for measuring mining impacts on the environment;
●
Recommend measures during construction, commissioning, and operation to avoid/
ameliorate adverse effects and to increase benei cial impacts;
●
Provide a forum for developing new ways of thinking about environmental impacts
and decision-making;
●
Ensure that alternative measures, such as economic incentives, are considered;
●
Identify the preferred practicable environmental mine development option. This
requires that the environmental implications of all available development options be
evaluated. The recommended option should result in the least environmental damage,
in balance with other social, health, and economic considerations, and be consistent
with prevailing regulations;
●
Estimate and describe the nature and likelihood of environmentally damaging inci-
dents to provide a basis for contingency plans;
●
Identify existing and expected environmental regulations that will affect the develop-
ment and advise on standards, consents, and targets;
●
Identify any environmental issues and concerns which may, in the future, affect mine
development;
●
Recommend an environmental management programme for the life of the mine, includ-
ing compliance, monitoring, auditing, and contingency planning, with focus on imple-
menting environmentally-sensitive business management practice; and
●
Provide the basis for structured consultation with and participation of regulatory and
non-regulatory authorities and the public.
The completion of the environmental impact assessment study is followed by the imple-
mentation of environmental mitigation measures and community development plans.
Detailed design of mitigation measures is best undertaken in the detailed engineering
phase, in conjunction with the development of the supporting management structure,
including dei ning responsibilities and authorities for environmental management.
Environmental management and monitoring during project operations should be l ex-
ible, allowing for adaptation to environmental change, response to monitoring results and
operational experience gained. Again, various approaches have been adopted by various
government jurisdictions, to respond to proposed changes in environmental management
and monitoring during operations. Some jurisdictions are more l exible than others. In some
cases, it is sufi cient that the proponent provides notii cation and justii cation of any pro-
posed changes in management or monitoring. In other cases, revision of relevant documents,
followed by review and approval (or otherwise) is required. Clearly, if government personnel
involved in oversight are closely involved in or are well informed of day-to-day activities,
they are more likely to understand and approve appropriate changes, without delay.
Environmental management
and monitoring during project
operations should be fl exible,
allowing for adaptation to
environmental change, response
to monitoring results and
operational experience gained.
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