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How can mining become more environmentally sustainable? Mining and the
Back to Q&A List Environment
While mining has historically
Mining can become more environmentally sustainable1 by developing and integrating practices that affected its surrounding
reduce the environmental impact of mining operations. These practices include measures such as environment, advances in
reducing water and energy consumption, minimizing land disturbance and waste production, preventing technology and changes in
soil, water, and air pollution at mine sites, and conducting successful mine closure and reclamation management techniques mean that
activities. many negative impacts are now
avoidable. Increasingly, mining
Background companies are making efforts to
Although a number of variations exist, sustainable development is most commonly defined as reduce the environmental impact of
development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations mining and minimize the footprint
to meet their own needs2. [1] The principles of sustainable development involve integrating economic of their activities throughout the
activity with environmental integrity, social concerns, and effective government systems. [2] These mining cycle, including working to
principles have had a growing influence on the development of environmental and social policy in recent restore ecosystems post-mining.
decades, and have been adopted and promoted by a number of international organizations, including the
This page will explore the issues
United Nations and World Bank. [1]
surrounding mining and the
A number of industry associations, including the International Council on Mining and Metals, and the environment and answer common
Mining Association of Canada, have endorsed the principles of sustainable development and have questions.
developed their own guidelines to promote sustainable practices among their member organizations.

Environmentally sustainable mining Related Questions

The continued discoveries of new oil, coal, and mineral reserves, improved recycling of materials, and How is water managed and treated
advances in technology in recent years have largely lessened the fears of running out of non-renewable in mining?
resources. [3] For instance, the development of technologies including froth floatation for processing
certain metal sulphide ores, the Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning process for obtaining copper, and the How are waste materials managed
at mine sites?
use of cyanide in gold extraction have all made previously uneconomic grades of ore suitable for mining,
thus increasing economically viable mineral reserves. [4]

However, although mining itself may occur on a relatively small land area, the associated infrastructure Video
and pollution from mining activities have the potential to affect the health of ecosystems and reduce their
ability to provide the goods and services necessary for human and environmental well-being. [3] These Planning for the Future
services include the purification of air and water and the decomposition of waste materials, which can be Sustainable Mining, Uploaded by
compromised where the ecosystems are overwhelmed by high levels of pollution. The importance of a saskresearchcouncil, Jan. 3, 2011
healthy environment to future generations is recognized as a pillar of sustainable development.

In order to be more environmentally sustainable, mining operations are increasingly conducted in a

manner that minimizes their impact on the surrounding environment, and leaves mine sites in an
acceptable state for re-use by people or ecosystems. A number of management strategies and
technologies are being developed and used by the mining industry to reduce the environmental impacts
of mining, and are discussed below.

Reducing inputs
Water
Link to page and download
Water is used in a number of applications at mine sites. By diverting surface water and pumping
groundwater, mining operations can reduce both the quantity and quality of water available downstream
for aquatic ecosystems and other industrial and municipal water users, especially in areas with arid
climates.
Related Resources
The Mining Association of
In response to water scarcity in many mining regions, a number of innovative water conservation Canada (2014), Towards
practices are being developed and implemented to reduce water use. In Canada, mining has one of the Sustainable Mining
highest water recycling rates among the industrial sectors, and between 1996 and 2005 reduced its total
water intake by 33%. [5] This drop in water use occurred at the same time as the value of production Katia Moskvitch (2012),
increased 48%, meaning the water intake per dollar of production (or water-use intensity) has also Biomining: How Microbes Help
declined. to Mine Copper

Energy International Institute for

Environment and
Mining and metal processing can be very energy-intensive processes. For instance, diesel fuel is used by Development (2012), Mining,
trucks and excavators during mining, electricity is used to grind ore and refine copper and aluminum, and Minerals and Sustainable
coal is required in order to smelt iron ore and make steel. [1] The extraction of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and Development
gas), and the construction of infrastructure required for energy generation have their own environmental
impacts, including the production of greenhouse gases and increased risk of environmental
contamination along the energy supply route. Reducing energy consumption at mines can reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and extend the life of fossil fuel reserves in addition to reducing operating
costs and therefore the cost of the commodity being mined. [1]

Some examples of ways mining companies are reducing their energy consumption include Alcoas
RopeCon transport system at its Jamalco Operations in Jamaica, which generates electricity while

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How can mining become more environmentally sustainable Page 2 of 3

transporting bauxite ore downhill from the mine to the rail station, and Kennecott Utah Coppers haul
truck idle management project, which was recognized by the Utah Pollution Prevention Association with
an Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention Award in 2010. Mining companies are also
investigating renewable energy sources to reduce costs and reliance on external energy sources
including solar power in Chile and wind turbines at the Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories.

Land disruption
Mine sites currently disturb a small fraction of the Earths total land surface. For instance, less than
0.01% of Canadas land area has been used for the production of minerals and metals since mining
began over 100 years ago. [6] However, mining activities use land at every stage of the mine cycle,
including exploration, construction, operation, closure, and post-closure. [7] Vegetation is cleared for the
construction of buildings, roads, and powerlines, open pits or tunnels are dug to gain access to the ore,
and waste storage facilities such as tailings ponds are expanded over the life of the mine, potentially
leading to habitat loss and deforestation. [7]

There are a number of ways to reduce the land-use impacts of mining. [7] These include reducing the
overall footprint of the mining area, minimizing the amount of waste produced and stored, maintaining
biodiversity by transplanting or culturing any endangered plants found on site, and planning mines
around existing infrastructure where possible. [7] Although current technology requires ores to be
excavated in order to produce metals, research in areas such as biomining offers the possibility of mining
with minimal land disruption in the future.

Reducing outputs
Waste
Mine waste includes solid waste, mine water, and air particles, which can vary significantly in their
composition and potential for environmental contamination. In addition to preventing soil, water, and air
pollution, waste management plans are required in order to select and design appropriate storage
facilities for the large volumes of waste produced at most mine sites.

It is generally recognized that preventing pollution is more economic and effective at reducing
environmental impacts than cleaning it up later on (i.e., leaving a legacy of environmental degradation for
future generations). [4] Methods for minimizing and eliminating wastes in the production of minerals and
metal commodities include [1]:

Using cleaner production techniques

Environmental control technologies

Using waste as raw material, and

Reducing the amount of waste produced through process re-engineering.

Water management strategies are used to reduce the volume of waste water produced, and if necessary,
to treat it to an acceptable quality before it is released. Over the past 30 years, most countries have
passed formal environmental legislation describing acceptable standards of human impacts to air, water,
and land. As a result, mine waste management plans are increasingly required in order to obtain a
mining permit in many parts of the world. [4, 8]

Acid rock drainage

Acid rock drainage (ARD) forms when sulphide minerals in waste rock and ore at a mine site are
exposed to air and water. ARD can pollute surface and groundwater with acidity and dissolved metals,
which can adversely affect aquatic organisms and water users downstream. A number of strategies are
used to predict, prevent, and mitigate ARD at mine sites, and are described in further detail here.

Restoring environmental function at mine sites

Mining is a relatively temporary activity, and mine sites have finite operating lives which are determined
by the size and quality of the ore deposit being mined. Mine site reclamation and closure activities aim to
restore land disturbed by mining activities to an acceptable state for re-use by people or ecosystems.

Case Study: The Mining Association of Canadas Towards Sustainable

Mining program

Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) is a program developed by the Mining Association of Canada
(MAC). It was launched in 2004, and is based on a set of guiding principles and performance
elements that govern key activities of companies in the mining and mineral-processing industry. [9]
TSM has been acknowledged as a leader in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), and
has earned a Globe Award for Environmental Excellence.

Participation in the TSM program is a requirement of membership in the MAC. Specific

performance indicators are reported annually by members for each mining facility, and reports are
externally verified every three years. [10] In 2010, 19 member companies reported their facility-level
performance, and 10 of those companies went through the external verification process. [10] While
TSM is only mandatory for member facilities in Canada, many members have adopted the initiative
at their international facilities as well. [10] In May 2011, the Mining Association of British Columbia
became the first provincial mining association to adopt TSM.

As of 2011, MAC members have been reporting their performance in four areas: tailings
management, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions management, external outreach, and
crisis management planning. [10] The average performance of MAC member companies has
increased in all the performance areas between 2006 and 2010. [10] Three new performance
elements were introduced in 2010, and will be integrated into TSM by 2013; these elements include

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How can mining become more environmentally sustainable Page 3 of 3

biodiversity conservation management, safety and health, and Aboriginal and community outreach
(which will replace external outreach). A protocol to address mine closure is also under
development. [10] More information on the TSM program and performance is available on the MAC
website.

iWhile there is no single definition for sustainability, the Brundtland Report (1987) Our Common Future is often cited and

defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs.

iiBased
on the definition given by the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development known as the Brundtland
Commission.

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