Emphasizing Environmental Management and Monitoring - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 461

TABLE 10.2
Key Elements of an Environmental Monitoring Matrix - A good environmental monitoring programme is based
on a sound understanding of the 'what, where, when, how, and why' of monitoring

Parameters Methodology Location Cost Schedule Responsibility

Monitoring
parameters,
Environmental
performance
indicators

Describe proposed
monitoring
measures -
equipment,
parameter, test
procedure, etc.

Specify
mitigation
location
(e.g. effl uent
outfall, or specifi c
community)

Provide allocated
annual budget

Defi ne duration
and frequency
of management
actions

Defi ne institutional
responsibilities -
within the
company and
public authorities

by relevant regulations, separate tables for high, medium, and low priority mitigation
measures can be prepared. The Environmental Management Matrix is commonly comple-
mented with an equivalent matrix for environmental monitoring ( Table 10.2 ).
Regardless of the quality of the environmental assessment of a mining project and the
design of the Environmental Action Plan, related efforts are of limited value unless rec-
ommended mitigation and enhancement measures are fully implemented ( Case 10.1 ). In
this context it is important that the EAP is expanded to include the EPC and all other
mine contractors. All the active players in a mine development must adopt an equally
rigorous stance towards environmental protection to ensure the success of the mine as
a whole.

All the active players in a mine
development must adopt an
equally rigorous stance towards
environmental protection to
ensure the success of the mine
as a whole.

CASE 10.1
Implementation is Just as
Important as Planning

When it was completed in 1996, the environment
impact assessment study of the Batu Hijau Copper Mine
in Sumbawa, Indonesia, set a new benchmark against
which subsequent studies for other mine developments in
Indonesia were measured. Shortcomings in environmental
management during construction, however, caused excessive
erosion, hampering the otherwise exemplary mine develop-
ment and mine operation. Once the scale of this problem
became apparent, however, additional resources and equip-
ment were deployed to remedy the damage, with the
result that erosion rates were dramatically reduced and, in
fact, no sign of erosion damage remains.