The Anatomy of a Mine - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 196

ones are completely beyond the control of the company (USDA 1995): (1) drop in price of
mine product or no rise in price if this had been anticipated; (2) increase in labour costs;
(3) unfavourable legislation or regulations; (4) change in tax laws or assessment procedures;
(5) threat of litigation; (6) action of private conservation groups; (7) lack of smelter or rei n-
ery capacity; (8) lack of capital; (9) delay in obtaining delivery of major equipment; and
(10) lack of transportation facilities. Although one or two of these considerations may
be paramount in deciding to postpone development, there are usually multiple factors
involved. The 'go' or 'no go' decision is carefully weighed against a list of favourable and
unfavourable factors, some of which may be changing as the decision is being made.
From the standpoint of surface damage to the environment, a delay of mine develop-
ment is often unfortunate. Often, considerable damage has already been done during the
exploration and early development stages, and it will remain until the decision to mine is
eventually made. For example, an ore deposit near the surface that is to be mined by open
pit methods will have been drilled in a close-spaced pattern and the close network of access
roads over the property will usually have made a mess of the surface, particularly from the
visual standpoint. There are many people who i nd nothing particularly ugly about a well-
engineered and smoothly running open pit mining operation; however, no one would view
the drill roads as anything but an eyesore ( Case 4.4 ).
A postponement of mine development is particularly perplexing to local people, some of
whom may have begun to make changes in their personal and business lives in anticipation of
the new mining operation. Maintaining good community relations and participation may now
become even more important. Rumours abound whenever there is a delay in mine develop-
ment, and community leaders sometimes call for a clear statement of intent, so that everyone
will know what to expect. Sometimes this is possible, and periodic updates may be issued in
the interests of community relations. Just as often, company management has been so taken
aback by an unforeseen or uncontrollable event, or series of events, that they do not know
what the best plan for the future might be. Rather than issue a false statement, or speak in
misleading generalizations, the company may choose, or be advised, to remain silent.

Sometimes, after the excitement
of the original exploration drilling
and feasibility studies, work on
mining development is halted.

A postponement of mine
development is particularly
perplexing to local people, some
of whom may have begun to
make changes in their personal
and business lives in anticipation
of the new mining operation.

CASE 4.4
Nickel Exploration

A geological region rich in surface nickel laterite deposits
that stretches from Papua, over Sulawesi, to the southern
part of the Philippines. Various lateritic nickel deposits
have been systematically explored by drilling, trenching
and bulk sampling. To a mining novice much of the land
area may resemble an active mine. Lateritic nickel pits
are diffi cult to rehabilitate as illustrated in photograph
taken at a nickel mine in the Philippines. Depending on
their grade and accessibility, some of these deposits
will remain unmined, at least for the forseeable future.
Unless diffi cult and expensive rehabilitation is carried
out, the adverse effects of exploration will
remain.