The Baseline - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 358

The background research
should include a critical review
of legislation, regulations, and
standards of the host region that
apply to the mining project.

tour on the web. There are many other sources of information, and a more comprehensive
listing of useful websites is given in Appendix 1.2. The background research should also
include a critical review of legislation, regulations, and standards of the host region that
apply to the mining project, sometimes referred to as the institutional setting.
In spite of all the data that may be readily available, a visit to the mine site and its sur-
rounding is invaluable. Observing the various types of natural habitats and communities
and their condition at the mine site and collecting additional background information will
help with focussing subsequent baseline surveys. It is important to realize that scoping is
not generally designed to take into account temporal variance, such as seasonality, in eco-
systems. Only when scoping is used in repeat surveys as elements of an integrated moni-
toring programme, can temporal variance be addressed. It is also important to note that
assessments at the genetic level of biodiversity do not generally lend themselves to rapid
approaches. However, a site visit, in particular when combined with remote sensing tech-
niques, is suited to assess ecosystems at the habitat level.
The site visit may also allow the study team to access the vast local environmental
knowledge found in local communities. In particular, Indigenous Peoples have depended
for their survival, on their understanding of the nature of a wide variety of plants and
animals, the functioning of ecosystems and the particular techniques required for harvest-
ing and managing these biological resources. In rural communities in developing coun-
tries, locally occurring species are relied on for many - sometimes all - foods, medicines,
fuel, building materials, and other products. Traditional knowledge has value and validity.
Local non-indigenous communities of long standing also have traditional knowledge of
the local conditions, environment, and wildlife. This knowledge may be as profound as
indigenous traditional knowledge in certain areas. A useful reference document regarding
traditional knowledge has been compiled by Emery (2000).

Indigenous Peoples have
depended for their survival,
on their understanding of the
nature of a wide variety of plants
and animals, the functioning of
ecosystems and the particular
techniques required for
harvesting and managing these
biological resources.

Issuing the Scoping Report

A key output from the scoping process is the scoping report, frequently used to prepare the
Terms of Reference for the EIA. In many jurisdictions, this is the i rst public document in
the environmental assessment process. The scoping report presents the relevant environ-
mental information obtained through the scoping process, including input received from
community consultation. It should also lay out the approach for subsequent stakeholder
consultation, data requirements, methodology to be used in the environmental assessment,
timing, and resources required.
No generally accepted standard dei ning the content of environmental scoping exists, nei-
ther is a 'cook book' approach recommended. Scoping reports should contain information,
results, and recommendations for further action to guide mining companies or authori-
ties in the environmental assessment. Reporting should describe the institutional setting of
the project, illustrate the environmental and social setting, summarize site-specii c project
opportunities and challenges, and should provide a listing of recommended environmental
studies. Appendix 8.2 provides a listing of topics commonly covered in a scoping report.

8.4 CONDUCTING BASELINE SURVEYS - WAYS AND MEANS

A fundamental decision in selecting methods for acquiring information is whether the
quantitative information is required or whether the programme only needs to illustrate
general characteristics. Quantitative methods are often used when uncertainty exists or