The Baseline - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 373

FIGURE 8.5
Example of Water Monitoring over of
the Life of Mine

PLANNING

Control Site

Sets of sampling locations need to be
developed for each environmental
component. While the number and
function of sampling locations may vary
throughout the life of mine, they are
interlinked by the indicator framework
used to design the baseline and
long-term environmental monitoring
programme.

OPERATION

Control Site

Impact Indicator

Output Indicator

POST-OPERATION

Output Indicator

collection methods, can analyze data, and is familiar with the taxonomic plant groups
within a larger biological and ecological context. He or she will be able, in the i eld, to
identify species at least to family level, and, subsequently, to genus and species level, with
the aid of herbarium facilities and in consultation with appropriate specialists.
Using the skills of experts expedites both i eldwork and the interpretation of results.
Consideration should also be given to the availability of experts on a local, regional, and
international level. Local expertise is highly benei cial whenever it is available. Often
local experts will have a good understanding of local geography, ecology, and community
issues. However, if there is no local expert, there is no choice but to use outside expertise.
In highly specialized i elds there may only be a small number of people, or even just one
person, who can be considered an expert in a narrow specialty. Consideration of available
expertise should be complemented with consideration of available logistical support, as
this may present a limitation to the capacity and scope of any baseline survey. Logistical

Local expertise is highly
benefi cial whenever it is available.