Codes of practice back up environment policy

As most people know by now, The Mining Association of Canada was the first national mining body to adopt an environmental policy. It was approved in 1989 and is endorsed by all MAC members. It is a condition of acceptance for new members. The policy was followed in 1990 by approval of a guide for environmental practice, which provides practical advice for member companies in implementing the policy. The guide, which also contains the text of the policy, has been printed in the form of a small brochure and is available from the MAC on request. Our industry’s approach to self-regulation is being carried further. The MAC’s environmental committee is now working on a set of codes of practice. These codes will lay out more detailed guidelines regarding sound environmental practices in each of the areas of a mining company’s operations from exploration and development through to extraction, milling and processing.

In addition, the industry is taking concrete initiatives to improve its performance. Among other things, MAC and the provincial mining associations are sponsoring, with Environment Canada, a series of workshops to improve the industry’s compliance record under the Metal Mining Liquid Effluent Regulations and Guidelines, part of the Fisheries Act.

A second example is the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) program. Since 1988, a major research program has been under way to develop more effective and affordable solutions to the problem of acid mine drainage. To date, more than $5 million has been committed to specific projects, with the largest share of the funding coming from industry.

These initiatives are important, for two reasons. For one thing, they demonstrate our industry’s firm commitment to environmental improvement. Moreover, to the extent that we wish to influence environmental policy and regulations, we must be seen as part of the solution by government, by the public and by environmental groups.

The Canadian approach is now spreading to the international level. Mining operations in every country are affected by policies and regulations developed by international bodies such as the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). National governments frequently pick up policies formulated by these bodies (or by other national governments) and build their regulations on them. It is in the interests of the world’s mining industries to show environmental responsibility and at the same time try to influence policies at the international level.

It is for these reasons that a group of the world’s largest and most influential mining and metals companies, meeting in Florida on March 20, decided to form the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME). The Mission of the Council is as follows: “Recognizing the importance of metals to the well-being of societies everywhere, to promote the development, implementation and harmonization of sound environmental/health policies and practices which will ensure the safe production, use, recycling and disposal of metals.” The founding chairman of ICME is Keith Hendrick, chairman of Noranda Minerals and also chairman of The Mining Association of Canada. The MAC had recognized the need for such an international body and had promoted its formation. The secretary-general designate is Gary Nash, currently senior vice-president of MAC. Although the mandate of the council is international, the offices will be located in Ottawa.

It is to be hoped that ICME will be successful in promoting a high standard of environmental management in the world mining industry, as well as regulatory policies everywhere founded on good scientific evidence and the integration of environment and economy.