Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
13
The Range of Environmental
Concerns
Separating Fact from Fantasy
The intention of Chapter Thirteen is to illustrate the range of environmental
concerns that are commonly associated with mining. This listing of potential impacts
is not complete; it does not need to be. Environmental concerns are many and
varied, since mine-induced change processes may occur in almost any environmental
component (
Figure 13.1
). It is this recognition that is important, rather than any
attempt to present a complete picture of all potential environmental concerns.
The main environmental and social issues, risks (and opportunities) associated with mining
projects are detailed in subsequent chapters, notably: land acquisition and resettlement in
Chapter Fourteen, community development in Chapter Fifteen, Indigenous Peoples issues
in Chapter Sixteen, acid rock drainage in Chapter Seventeen, tailings disposal in Chapter
Eighteen, waste rock placement in Chapter Nineteen, and erosion in Chapter Twenty.
Although there is the potential for environmental impacts during the exploration stage
(
Appendix 13.2
), the signii cant environmental and social risks and opportunities emerge
during project construction and operation. Mine closure also has its own environmental
impacts as discussed in Chapter Twenty-One. Mine closure typically results in negative
consequences on the regional economy, but other impacts are positive because mine clo-
sure aims to rehabilitate the mine site for future use.
The signifi cant environmental
and social risks and opportunities
emerge during project
construction and operation.
Grouping Impacts
First-time participants in an EIA are often faced with a very important question: How to
organize or logically group environmental impacts? The question is not new, and there is
no single correct answer. Some prefer to group impacts according to the affected environ-
mental components (impacts to water or air are two examples). Others prefer to associ-
ate impacts with activities (e.g. impacts related to tailings management or resettlement).
The difi culty of course arises when impacts cross the entire environmental spectrum. For
example, tailings impact water quality, which in turn may affect i sh. This in turn affects
community life and community relationships. When tailings dry, the particles may be
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