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Today's gold mining industry continually strives to
operate in an environmentally responsible manner --
protecting wildlife, reclaiming mined land and employing
new technologies to make operations environmentally
safe. In addition to applying its own environmental
initiatives, the industry is subject to a broad range
of state and federal laws and regulations covering
virtually every aspect of mine operations. All of
these efforts -- voluntary actions coupled with government
requirements -- work together to form the environmental
practices of today's modern gold mining industry.
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ENVIRONMENT,
HEALTH, AND SAFETY COMMITMENT
Construction of a gold mine cannot begin until authorities
from federal, state, and local governments approve
the applications that legally permit the mine to operate
- including all environmental permits. The mine also
must obtain approval of a plan to reclaim the land
disturbed during the mining process and, prior to
construction, obligate funds that will be needed to
return the site to an alternative beneficial and productive
use.
On a voluntary basis, many mining operations have
taken additional steps to safeguard the environment
and improve wildlife habitat in the areas in which
they operate. These combine efforts - private initiatives
and government requirements - make up the environmental
practices of today's modern gold mining industry.
North American gold mining companies voluntarily adopted
a set of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Principles
in 1995. Adherence to these principles, and a commitment
to environmental excellence throughout the industry,
have led to particularly high levels of improvement
in the following areas:
- Adoption
of corporate EHS policies, goals, and practices
- Measurement
and evaluation of EHS progress
- Education
and training
- Informing
contractors that, when on site, they must comply
with the company's EHS policies
- Conducting
environmental audits
- Implementing
environmental risk assessments
- Working
with local communities, governmental bodies, and
other stakeholders to address environmental concerns.
Listed
below are the EHS Principles adopted in 1995:
EHS
Principles for Gold Mining
CORPORATE COMMITMENT
To conduct all activities in a manner that integrates
the protection of human health and the natural environment
with the need for economic and social growth.
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
To assure environmental, health and safety performance,
emergency preparedness, and contribution to public policy.
To cooperate with others to address historic mining
practices.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
To include environmental, health and safety considerations
in the feasibility, planning, design, construction,
operation, and ultimate closure and reclamation of each
gold mining facility.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
To continuously review and improve environmental, health,
and safety performance.
COMMUNICATION
To foster open and meaningful dialogue with local communities,
conservation organizations, and federal and state officials
on all potential environmental, health, and safety impacts
and their prevention or remediation.
LEADERSHIP
To promote national and international compliance with
these principles by all segments and all employees of
the mining industry.
To ensure that the gold industry protects the environment
and provides for community and employee health and safety,
modern gold exploration, mine construction, and gold
processing operations rely on a wide range of technologies,
diverse expertise, and industry-wide commitment. Key
to achieving these objectives is effective management
of all gold mining and process operations.
The people at America's gold mines are the human side
of mine safety and environmental protection. While proper
engineering and advanced technology play a big role,
from early planning to the final point where gold is
poured, to mine closure and reclamation, safe operation
is an overriding consideration for everyone.
Because accidents - when they do occur at mines - can
potentially be serious, the industry is continuously
working to improve its safety record. As a result, gold
mining is one of America's safest manufacturing industries.
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STATE
RECLAMATION LAWS
Typical of most state reclamation laws are provisions
governing management of topsoil and revegetation; stabilization
of slopes; process area cleanup; protection of surface
and ground water; and removal of buildings, equipment
and most, if not all, roads once mining has ceased.
In
addition to meeting the specific requirements of the
appropriate laws and regulations, gold mining companies
strive to blend their projects into the surrounding
landscape throughout their reclamation activities.
Due to the complexity of this work, satellite imagery
and computer technology are now indispensable tools
for scientists and geologists who develop individual
site and reclamation plans.
These efforts are emblematic of the great distance
the industry has traveled over the years to advance
mining and production processes and to improve environmental
practices.
Below is a chart outlining state laws and regulations
governing site planning and reclamation.
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AK |
AZ |
CA |
CO |
ID |
MT |
NV |
NM |
ND |
OR |
SC |
SD |
UT |
WA |
WY |
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| STABILIZATION |
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| SEDIMENTS,
EROSION, DRAINAGE |
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| SURFACE
RESTORATION |
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| VEGETATION |
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| EXCESS
WASTE |
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| SEALING |
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| STRUCTURES |
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| HYDROLOGIC
BALANCE |
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| SURFACE
WATER QUALITY |
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| GROUND
WATER QUALITY |
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| FISH
& WILDLIFE |
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| INSPECTION |
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| ADMINISTRATIVE
ORDERS |
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| SURETY
FORFEITURE |
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| PERMIT
SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION |
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| SUIT
FOR DAMAGES |
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| INJUNCTIONS |
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| CIVIL
PENALTY |
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| CRIMINAL
PENALTY |
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| CITIZEN
SUITS |
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FISH AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION
Gold mine operators also recognize they have a responsibility
to native fish and wildlife. Again, state and federal
laws have numerous requirements regarding the measures
that must be taken when wildlife are disturbed due
to mining activities, including the construction and
use of roads. Open pond processing facilities are
also controlled to protect birds and other creatures.
Under state and federal laws, endangered species are
afforded special protection. Gold mining companies
conduct extensive environment impact studies on threatened
and endangered species and provide for their protection
before a mining permit can be obtained. On a voluntary
basis, many mining operations have committed to ongoing
habitat improvement projects for such species as the
bald eagle, Lahontan cutthroat trout, sage goose and
mule deer. They have also created alternative water
sources and wetland areas, as well as grazing areas
for domestic cattle.
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COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW
In 1999, U.S. gold mining operations began annual
reporting on the volume of their releases to air,
water, or the land of approximately 20 chemicals or
substances of the nearly 650 listed by the Federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its Toxics
Release Inventory (TRI). The reports are filed with
EPA as well as with state and local agencies. Gold
mining companies also provide information about their
reports to community and state officials and to their
employees. Much of what gold mines report is the large
volume of naturally occurring metals that remain in
low concentration in rock managed at the mine site.
They also report releases of cyanide from open tanks,
heap leach areas, and the surface of processed rock
waste (tailing) impoundment facilities. These releases
remain within the boundaries of the mine property
and are monitored to ensure safe operations. TRI is
an annual volume-based report and is not intended
to evaluate risk.
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OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL
OBLIGATIONS
As with other American industries, gold mining operations
must comply with a number of additional state and
federal laws governing air and water protection, proper
disposal of waste material, worker health and safety,
and the care and handling of hazardous materials.
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