Identifying and Evaluating Impacts - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 400

FIGURE 9.1
Resource Requirements for
Environmental Assessment as a
Function of Project and External
Factors

High

Large project
Potential for
environmental
liability

Large complex project
Sensitive setting
International NGO
involvement

Large and complex project in sensitive
environmental settings always com-
mand high attention and resource
commitment, including time.
Source:
Based on Walker and Johnson 1999 Exploration activities

In sensitive
environment

Standard
EIA

Low

COMPLEXITY/SENSITIVITY

Low High

mining projects of different size and complexity indicates that the preparation of an EIA
absorbs, on average, anywhere from US$ 100,000 to US$ 5 million. EIA preparation costs
are generally lower in areas with a long history of mining where environmental conditions
are well documented and impacts well understood.
By contrast, engineering feasibility and design studies may involve as much as 10% of
the project capital cost while environmental mitigation measures usually account for three
to i ve percent of the total project cost (Goodland and Mercier 1999). There are various
ways to manage costs, including: (1) Integrate environmental assessment early into other
project planning activities, particular into feasibility studies. (2) Seek project support
from host government and approval authorities. (3) Avoid the high costs associated with
exclusively hiring expatriate specialists by involving local expertise (e.g. local universities
or research institutions). (4) Costs usually diminish with experience of key personnel (e.g.
appointing a study team with proven EIA track record) and with the appropriate support
mechanisms (e.g. translation capability).
While environmental assessment is a process that continues throughout the mine life,
from exploration to mine closure, the EIA is a well-dei ned study constituting to a large
extent the environmental permitting of the mine, if approved. The time necessary to com-
plete an EIA varies widely and is controlled by a number of factors, predominantly by
project type, the state of existing environment conditions at the mine site and the avail-
ability of relevant existing environmental information ( Figure 9.1 ). Large and complex
projects in sensitive environmental settings always command high attention and resource
commitment, including time. Seasonal climatic cycles also inl uence study duration. At a
minimum baseline studies should cover one complete climatic cycle, i.e. all seasons.
Other factors controlling the time to complete an EIA are statutory requirements in
regard to public consultation, and the EIA review and approval process. Analyzing envi-
ronmental impacts is largely in control of the study team; obtaining environmental approval
is not. In fact, describing the often complex forces that drive environmental permitting
deserves a textbook by itself. Project approval does not depend only on technical or regula-
tory considerations, but can also be inl uenced by which company proposes a specii c mine
development. State-owned companies are likely to face less scrutiny by the review team

Analyzing environmental impacts
is largely in control of the study
team; obtaining environmental
approval is not.