Abstract
Predictive environmental indicators in mining can be defined as ‘values derived from parameters that provide quantitative information against which some aspects of environmental risks associated with mineral resource development can be measured’. At mine sites, such indicators provide information on conditions and processes that may develop during the mine life cycle and after mine closure. They are measures to forecast changes in the quality of the air, water, land and ecological systems. Predicting environmental risks is typically not an attribute that is strongly embedded into the development of mineral resources. However, a more predictive and proactive approach to early environmental characterization and risk assessment should be used early in the life-of-mine stages, because such an approach supports more effective mineral processing, better storage of waste, improved mine closure outcomes and ultimately reduced financial risks and liabilities to operators and regulators.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bloomberg (2014) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-10/south-africa-needs-1-billion-to-make-toxic-mine-water-potable.html
Equator Principles III (2016) www.equator-principles.com
Hammond A, Adriaanse A, Rodenburg E, Bryant D, Woodward R (1995) Environmental indicators: a systematic approach to measuring and reporting on environmental policy performance in the context of sustainable development. World Resources Institute, Washington
Hansen SH, Pedersen LC, Vilsgaard KD, Nielsen IE, Hanse SF (2013) Environmental and ethical aspects of sustainable mining in Greenland. J Earth Sci Eng 3:213–224
International Financial Corporation (IFC) (2007) Environmental, health, and safety guidelines for construction materials extraction. International Finance Corporation, Washington 13 pp
Jennings SR, Neuman DR, Blicker PS (2008) Acid mine drainage and effects on fish health and ecology: a review. Reclamation Research Group, Bozeman 29 pp
Lottermoser BG (2010) Mine wastes: characterization, treatment and environmental impacts, 3rd edn. Springer, Berlin 400 pp
Lottermoser BG (2012) Environmental indicators for acid mine drainage: advances in knowledge and challenges ahead. In: Fourie AB, Tibett M (eds) Mine closure 2012. Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Nedlands, pp 3–12
Nordstrom DK (2009) Acid rock drainage and climate change. J Geochem Explor 100:97–104
Rayne S, Forest K, Friesen KJ (2009) Analytical framework for a risk-based estimation of climate change effects on mine site runoff water quality. Mine Water Environ 28:124–135
Tremblay GA, Hogan CM (2001) Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) manual 5.4.2d: prevention and control. Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa
White WW, Lapakko KA, Cox RL (1999) Static test methods most commonly used to predict acid mine drainage: practical guidelines for use and interpretation. In: Plumlee GS, Logsdon MJ (eds) The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Part A: processes, techniques, and health issues. Rev Econ Geol 6A:325–338
World Bank (2002) It’s not over when it’s over: mine closure around the world. World Bank, Washington
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lottermoser, B. (2017). Predictive Environmental Indicators in Metal Mining. In: Lottermoser, B. (eds) Environmental Indicators in Metal Mining. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-42729-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-42731-7
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)