Identifying and Evaluating Impacts - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 413

maximum ore production rate) and quantity and quality of emissions to air (gaseous emis-
sions, noise and dust), land (waste rock and tailings), and water (process efl uents, tailings
decant water, and acid rock drainage). Other relevant information relates to project phas-
ing, mine layout, auxiliary developments, labour requirement, and proposed mitigation
measures. Mitigation measures themselves may result in additional environmental impacts,
referred to as impact shifts. An obvious example is a waste water treatment plant that pro-
duces sludge. Identifying impacts other than the obvious ones, benei ts from experience and
familiarity with a wide range of projects. The ability to mentally conceptualize a wide range
of possible chemical, physical, biological and human interactions is also advantageous.
Impact assessment eventually links cause and effect, the source of impact with the
impact on the receptor(s). Most impact identii cation methods fall in the categories of
checklists, consultation, matrices, network and l owchart analysis, spatial analysis, and
expert opinion.

Mitigation measures themselves
may result in additional
environmental impacts, referred
to as impact shifts.

Checklists

Checklists are built around past experience with similar projects, often adopting the
Source-Pathway-Receptor concept: 'To what extent will a specii c mine activity (source)
affect a given environmental component (receptor)? ' Checklists can serve to remind of
possible impacts caused by a proposed development. Lohani et al. (1997), SIDA (1998,
Table 9.6 ) or World Bank (1998) provide good examples of various checklists. Standard

FIGURE 9.6
The 'Source-Pathway-Receptor'
Model - Data Needs and Model
Application

Impact
analysis

Source Pathway Receptor

Project review Baseline study

TABLE 9.6
Partial Checklist for Transport and Communications, Building, Construction, Waste Disposal and Mining Projects

People

Will the project
● result in a greater or smaller risk that diseases or other negative effects on people's health are spread as a result of
pollution, poor quality building materials, poor sanitary conditions or the building of slums?
● improve or impair the living conditions of the settled population or nomadic groups?
● make it easier or more diffi cult, directly or indirectly, for the local population to move or to use natural resources
inside or outside the project area?
● increase or reduce confl icts in respect of the present use or tenure of the land?
● damage or protect archaeological relics, places or areas of religious, cultural or historic value, and cultural monuments
or make considerable changes to areas of great beauty?

● result in migration of people out of or into the project area?

Source:
SIDA (1998)