Responsibilities start during exploration

First impressions are often the most lasting, especially in the mineral exploration business, for first impressions can go a long way toward ensuring community support for projects.

One way the industry can foster community support for exploration and subsequent mine development is to demonstrate proper environmental stewardship at the outset. If exploration companies conduct all their activities in an environmentally responsible manner, they will receive more support and encouragement from those who live in the surrounding communities.

Demonstrating the mining industry’s commitment to environmentally responsible exploration and development is one goal of the program known as Environmental Excellence in Exploration (E3), which began in August 2001. E3 also seeks to provide the international exploration industry with up-to-date information on environmental management practices.

E3 was conceived by a consortium of leading international mining companies who then approached the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) to co-ordinate the program on behalf of the world mining industry. The PDAC is a widely recognized association principally concerned with exploration, and as such, encourages the highest standards of technical, environmental, safety and social practices.

The goals of providing information on responsible environmental practices and demonstrating the mining industry’s commitment to environmentally responsible exploration and development will be achieved through the development of an electronic manual, or “e-manual.” This will be a multimedia database and management system that will describe environmental practices related to the planning and implementation of exploration programs throughout the world.

Many mining companies have already developed in-house environmental standards and practices that are used by their employees and contractors on exploration projects across the globe. These practices are the foundation of the e-manual, and since its inception, numerous companies, consultants and suppliers have offered to provide additional expertise and knowledge. This information is now being collected, assembled and augmented.

Chairing the steering committee for E3 is Dr. Neil Westoll, who believes the program will help educate the public as to the importance of mining. “The mining industry, in recent years, has done a number of good things, including improving standards for mine remediation, but the public only remembers the black eyes. The E3 project will further demonstrate that we are concerned about the environment, and we hope this will go a long way toward correct the public’s misperceptions.”

Strong demand

Westoll says an informal survey by the steering committee shows there is strong demand for the e-manual among senior and mid-sized mining companies, junior exploration companies, consulting groups, and suppliers of goods and services. Additional demand is expected from government ministries, professional associations and educational institutions at home and abroad.

A key advantage of the e-manual is the ease with which information can be shared among various stakeholders. Mining executives, technical personnel and contractors will be informed on current industry practices and have the opportunity to suggest ways to improve those practices.

Improved planning

Exploration companies with limited cash resources will realize cost savings resulting from improved planning and environmental performance. Educational institutions, professional associations and training departments will be able to use the manual as a means of informing members of current practices. Government agencies will use it to assure the public and special interest groups that the industry is operating at the highest standards.

The public, the media and other organizations will benefit from the increased transparency that will result. Indeed, E3 could become a significant benchmark to be used by others when completing environmental reviews and audits.

The inclination to share and exchange knowledge is not common in the corporate world; however, the ready availability of information on environmental practices can not help but benefit the industry. As more and more companies learn the best ways to implement environmental programs, a higher level of responsibility will be established.

It is expected that input from the various stakeholders will lead to improvements in environmental practices, and improvements to the e-manual will be implemented regularly.

The cost of developing the first version of the e-manual will be $500,000. To date, the PDAC and the consortium of mining companies have raised about $350,000, and the group is seeking additional one-time contributions from other stakeholders. “We are meeting with a number of concerned groups to raise the additional funds we need, and the funding is going well,” says Westoll. The steering committee expects the beta version of the e-manual to be up and running by December 2002 and the fully completed version to be available by the time of the PDAC convention in the following year. The e-manual will be sold on a not-for-profit basis. Once the e-manual is fully functional, the project will be self-funded through annual subscriptions.