The Albanese government is under scrutiny for failing to conduct on-site investigations before halting a proposed million-dollar goldmine in Blayney, New South Wales. The decision, influenced by an...
Category - ENVIRONMENT
Environmental management now dominates a range of activities performed by mining companies globally. Mature mine operates recognise that their ‘license to operate’ is often determined by their past environmental performance and future plans to ensure that the environment impacted by mining operations is returned to, at the very least, pre-mining conditions.
Mining Environmental Issues and impacts of mining can occur at various stages of the mining life cycle. Exploration, Construction, Mining Operations, Closure and Remediation.
The environmental hazards of each activity and the impact of those activities can be determined by a range of factors including:
- The ore being mined;
- Characteristics of the ore body and its proximity to high impact areas;
- Ecosystem existing prior to mining activities and its’ sensitivity to the impact of mining operations;
- Methods of mining:
- Equipment used in the mining process including but not limited to production and ore processing equipment.
Typically the primary environmental concerns from mining activities include acid mine drainage, heavy metal contamination from leaching, chemical pollution from processing activities and control of erosion and sedimentation, dust deposition and environmental noise, however, there may be other impacts.
Effective environmental management in mining controls the impact of the mining activity in relation to the contamination of air, land and water and the subsequent impact of changes to the normalised conditions on the surrounding ecosystem.
Mining environmental issues management also interfaces with safety management in many organisations. Through understanding the impacts of the environment on personnel and the ecosystem in which they operate, miners may continue to build a sustainable industry.
Australasian Mine Safety Journal provides a range of information, case studies and news on the environmental issues and impacts of mining.
BlueScope Steel has opted for Western Australia for its green iron pilot plant due to a $75 million assistance package, prioritizing proximity to iron ore operations. The project, involving Woodside...
EQ Resources (EQR) has secured $250,000 from Queensland’s METS (mining equipment, technology, and services) collaborative project fund, intended to trial innovative X-ray transmission (XRT) ore...
A group of major mineral producers have supported replacing fossil fuels with zero-emissions alternatives. Industry bodies representing the nation’s largest resources companies recently...
New resources developments should freely create employment opportunities, Northern Australia representatives said. Many First Nations people would rather benefit from major projects instead of...
A resources producer found affordable ways to completely transition away from fossil fuels. Replacing an entire diesel mobile fleet is not cost prohibitive according to a new study. ABB and Perenti...
An underground mining services company decided to continue using fossil fuels because it was more versatile. Byrnecut recently revealed it would not completely transition to renewable energy...
Major mineral producers have together accelerated their transition away from fossil fuel powered trucks. BHP and Rio Tinto recently collaborated on implementing large battery-electric technology...
Reimbursements will take longer to reach victims of a mining infrastructure disaster. Authorities recently refused their share in a US$25.7 billion (A$39B) offer in the aftermath of the 2015 Samarco...
Victims of a catastrophic resources infrastructure failure could be reimbursed for further damages. BHP, Vale and their Samarco joint venture recently increased their compensation offer for the 2015...
A global mining company will transition away from fossil fuelled heavy vehicles. Vale recently approved running electric haul trucks to reduce its carbon footprint. The proponent signed a new...
Severe weather will suspend a North Australian resources operation for almost a year. Tropical Cyclone Megan’s 200km/h winds and 681mm of rainfall is likely to delay production at Groote...