Epp urges miners to voice land-use views

At the 8th annual mineral outlook conference held in Ottawa recently, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Jake Epp advised miners to get involved early in the consultation phase on the issue of land use between the government and all Canadians. The federal government is playing catch-up with the rest of the international community when it comes to environmental regulation. And is about to complete a series of information-gathering sessions held in 14 cities across the country. The next phase begins in June.

Information and views expressed at the meetings will form the “thinking” behind the government’s environmental Green Plan, to be unveiled this fall.

“Don’t be surprised that Canadians don’t know what you’re doing,” Epp said at a luncheon meeting. “It’s essential you get involved in letting them know.”

Robert Slater, assistant deputy minister of Environment Canada, had more specific advice. “Take a life-cycle approach to both your products and your operations,” he said. “And show a willingness to be concerned with the ultimate fate of your products.”

This concept, known loosly as the cradle-to-grave responsibility, is an important issue in the ongoing regulatory debate.

Mining companies should also become participants in the debate over what land and waterways in Canada should be set aside as ecological reserves, Slater says, since these reserves will not be compatible with mining.

“It’s no good coming to us after- the-fact, complaining that you were not consulted,” Epp warned.

His government recently was criticized by explorationists over its sudden decision to cancel the Canadian Exploration Incentive Program (CEIP).

Earning the praise from the same two officials were the industy’s practice of stating a code of environmental policy and the 30- member Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) program.