Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Climate change and mining in Canada

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Climate is an important component of the operating environment for the Canadian mining sector. However, in recent years mines across Canada have been affected by significant climatic hazards, several which are regarded to be symptomatic of climate change. For the mining sector, climate change is a pressing environmental threat and a significant business risk. The extent to which the mining sector is able to mitigate its own impact and adapt to climate change will affect its long-term success and prosperity, and have profound economic consequences for host communities. This paper draws upon case studies conducted with mining operations in Canada involving in-depth interviews with mining professionals and analysis of secondary sources to characterize the vulnerability of the Canadian mining industry to climate change. Five key findings are discussed: i) mines in the case studies are affected by climate events that are indicative of climate change, with examples of negative impacts over the past decade; ii) most mine infrastructure has been designed assuming that the climate is not changing; iii) most industry stakeholders interviewed view climate change as a minor concern; iv) limited adaption planning for future climate change is underway; v) significant vulnerabilities exist in the post-operational phase of mines. This paper argues for greater collaboration among mining companies, regulators, scientists and other industry stakeholders to develop practical adaptation strategies that can be integrated into existing and new mine operations, including in the post-operational phase.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ACIA (2005) Arctic climate impacts assessment. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Auld H, MacIver D (2006) Changing weather patterns, uncertainty and infrastructure risks: emerging adaptation requirements. Paper presented at the Engineering Institute of Canada Climate Change Technology Conference, Environment Canada, Adaptation and Impacts Research Division, Ottawa, 10–12 May 2006

  • Auld H, MacIver D, Klaassen J (2006) Adaptation options for infrastructure under changing climate conditions. Paper presented at the Engineering Institute of Canada Climate Change Technology Conference, Environment Canada, Adaptation and Impacts Research Division, Ottawa, 10–12 May 2006

  • Berry P, Rounsevell M, Harrison P, Audsley E (2006) Assessing the vulnerability of agricultural land use and species to climate change and the role of policy in facilitating adaptation. Environ Sci Policy 9(2):189–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bjelkevik A (2005) Water cover closure design for tailings dams. State of the Art Report

  • Brown A, Dart J, Quesnel J (2006) Climate change and watershed management at the Hemlo Operations. Paper presented at Sudbury Restoration Workshop, Sudbury, 22 February 2006

  • Canadian Mining Journal (2005) Mining matters: UN support for carbon capture and storage. Canadian Mining Journal, October 2005

  • Chiotti Q, Lavender B (2008) Ontario. In: Lemmen D, Warren F, Lacroix J, Bush E (eds) From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing climate. Government of Canada, Ottawa, pp 227–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Coal Age (2007) News: delegation announces contract to manage greenhouse gases. Coal Age 112(1):1

    Google Scholar 

  • Comiso JC, Parkinson CL, Gertsen R, Stock L (2008) Accelerated decline in the Arctic sea ice cover. Geophys Res Lett 35(1):1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Couture R, Smith S, Robinson SD, Burgess MM, Solomon S (2003) On the hazards to infrastructure in the north associated with thawing of permafrost. Paper presented at the Third Canadian Conference on Geotechnique and Natural Hazards, the Canadian Geotechnical Society, Edmonton, 9–10 June 2003

  • Dennis Consultants (2008) First national engineering vulnerability assessment report: roads and associated infrastructure final report. Prepared for the City of Greater Sudbury Infrastructure Services Department, April 2008

  • Duerden F (2004) Translating climate change impacts at the community level. Arctic 57(2):204–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Ednie H (2002) Climate change: innovation and strategy paving the way for GHG reductions. CIM Bull 95:4

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford JD, Smit B (2004) A framework for assessing the vulnerability of communities in the Canadian Arctic to risks associated with climate change. Arctic 57(4):389–400

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford JD, Pearce T (2007) Planning for climate change in the mining sector. Canadian Mining Journal, 4 April 2007

  • Ford JD, Pearce T, Prno J, Duerden F, Berrang-Ford, Marshall D (2008) Stormy days ahead; weather changes pose many threats to the mining industry. Canadian Mining Journal, September 2008

  • Ford JD, Keskitalo C, Smith T, Pearce T, Berrang-Ford L, Smit B (2010a). Case study and analogue methodologies in climate change vulnerability research. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. doi:10.1002/wcc.48

  • Ford JD, Pearce T, Prno J, Duerden F, Berrang-Ford L, Beaumier M, Smith T, Marshall D (2010b) Perceptions of climate change risks in primary resource use industries: a survey of the Canadian mining sector. Reg Environ Change 10(1):65–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford JD, Pearce T, Prno J, Duerden F, Berrang-Ford L, Smith T, Beaumier M (2010c) Canary in a coal mine: perceptions of climate change risks and response options among Canadian mine operations. Climatic Change (in press)

  • Furgal C, Prowse T (2008) Northern Canada. In: Lemmen D, Warren F, Lacroix J, Bush E (eds) From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing climate. Government of Canada, Ottawa, pp 57–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Fussel HM (2007) Adaptation planning for climate change: concepts, assessment approaches, and key lessons. Sustain Sci 2(2):265–275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Government of Canada (2006) Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the House of Commons. Chapter 2: Adapting to the impacts of climate change. Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Ottawa, pp 1–36

  • Government of Yukon (2008) History of mining in the Yukon. Department of Energy Mines and Resources, Whitehorse. Available via: <http://www.emr.gov.yk.ca/mining/> Cited 12 July 2010

  • Groisman PY (2003) Contemporary climate changes in high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere: daily time resolution. Preprints, 14th Symposium on Global Change and Climate Variations. American Meteorological Society, Long Beach, CA, CD-ROM, 4.8

  • Hayley D, Horne B (2008) Rationalizing climate change for design of structures on permafrost: a Canadian perspective. Paper presented at the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost, Fairbanks, 29 June-3 July 2008

  • Hayley D, Proskin S (2008) Managing the safety of ice covers used for transportation in an environment of climate warming. Paper presented at Geohazards 2008, 4th Canadian Conference on Geohazards. Quebec City, 20–24 May 2008

  • Holubec I (2007) Design requirements for climate warming in permafrost. Paper presented at the Canadian National Committee for the International Permafrost Association 2007 Symposium, Yellowknife, 23–25 May 2007

  • ICOLD (2001) Tailings dams risk of dangerous occurrences: lessons learnt from practical experiences. United Nations Environment Programme and International Commission on Large Dams, Paris

  • Infrastructure Canada (2006) Adapting infrastructure to climate change in Canada’s cities and communities: a literature review. Research and Analysis Division, Government of Canada, Ottawa, p 23

  • Instanes A, Anisimov OA, Brigham L, Goering D, Khrustalev L, Ladanyi B, Larsen JO (2005) Chapter 16: Infrastructure: buildings, support systems, and industrial facilities. In: Symon C (ed) Arctic climate impact assessment scientific report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 907–944

    Google Scholar 

  • Ion P (2004) The mining sector and the Kyoto Protocol: burying our responsibilities. Canadian Mining Journal, June 2004

  • IPCC (2007a) Climate change 2007: impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Working Group II Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report, Geneva

  • IPCC (2007b) Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Geneva

  • Kasperson JX, Kasperson RE (eds) (2001) Global environmental risk. United Nations University Press and Earthscan, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Keskitalo EC (2008) Climate change and globalization in the Arctic: an integrated approach to vulnerability assessment. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kyhn C, Elberling B (2001) Frozen cover actions limiting AMD from mine waste deposited on land in Arctic Canada. Cold Reg Sci Technol 32:133–142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary N, Adejuwon J, Barros V, Burton I, Kulkarni J, Lasco R (eds) (2008) Climate change and adaptation. Earthscan, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemmen D, Warren F, Lacroix J, Bush E (eds) (2008) From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing climate 2007. Government of Canada, Ottawa, p 448

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobell D, Burke B, Tebaldi D, Mastrandrea M, Falcon W, Naylor R (2008) Prioritizing climate change adaptation needs for food security in 2030. Science 319(5863):607–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MAC (2004) An action plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: mining association of Canada’s action plan and annual progress report. Mining Association of Canada, p 51

  • MAC (2008) Facts and figures: a report on the state of the Canadian mining industry. Mining Association of Canada, p 76

  • MAC (2009) Progress report: towards sustainable mining 2009. Mining Association of Canada, p 33

  • Mills B, Andrey J (2002) Climate change and transportation: potential interactions and impacts. Federal Research Partnership Workshop on The Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Transportation. US Department of Transport, Washington, pp 77–88

  • Nelson R, Kokic P, Crimp S, Meinke H, Howden S (2010) The vulnerability of Australian rural communities to climate variability and change: Part I—conceptualising and measuring vulnerability. Environ Sci Policy 13:8–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NRCan (2007a) Employment in Canada’s mining and mineral processing industries remains robust in 2006. Natural Resources Canada Information Bulletin, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • NRCan (2007b) Sustainable management and rehabilitation of mine sites for decision support. Available via: <http://ess.nrcan.gc.ca/2002_2006/sdki/mine/site_rehab_e.php> Cited 12 July 2010

  • NRCan (2008) Canadian minerals yearbook (CMY). Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogden AE, Innes JL (2007) Incorporating climate change adaptation considerations into forest management planning in the boreal forest. Int For Rev 9(3):713–733

    Google Scholar 

  • Paavola J (2008) Livelihoods, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in Morogoro, Tanzania. Environ Sci Policy 11(7):642–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parkins JR, MacKendrick NA (2007) Assessing community vulnerability: a study of the mountain pine beetle outbreak in British Columbia, Canada. Glob Environ Change 17:460–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce T, Smit B, Duerden F, Goose A, Kataoyak F (2010) Inuit vulnerability and adaptive capacity to climate change in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, Canada. Polar Rec 46(237):157–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PIEVC (2008) Adapting to climate Change: Canada’s first national engineering vulnerability assessment of public infrastructure. Public Infrastructure Engineering Vulnerability Committee, Engineers Canada and Government of Canada, Ottawa

  • Prno J (2008) We’re breaking up: what does climate change mean for the mining industry. Up Here, November 2008, pp 25–26

  • Prowse TD, Furgal C, Bonsal B, Edwards T (2009a) Climatic conditions in northern Canada: past and future. Ambio 38(5):257–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prowse TD, Furgal C, Wrona F, Resit J (2009b) Implications of climate change for economic development in northern Canada: energy, resource, and transportation sectors. Ambio 38(5):272–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prowse TD, Furgal C, Bonsal B, Peters D (2009c) Implications of climate change for northern Canada: the physical environment. Ambio 38(5):266–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson R (2006) Early ice road closures could cool diamond operations. The Northern Miner 92(6)

  • Sauchyn D, Kulshthreshtha S (2008) Chapter 7: prairies. In: Lemmen D, Warren F, Lacroix J, Bush E (eds) From impacts to adaptation: Canada in a changing climate 2007. Government of Canada, Ottawa, pp 275–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Scales M (2006) The cost of less cold. Canadian Mining Journal April 2006

  • Schröter D, Polsky C, Patt A (2005) Assessing vulnerabilities to the effects of global change: an eight step approach. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 10(4):573–595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seguin J (2008) Human health in a changing climate: a Canadian assessment of vulnerabilities and adaptive capacity. Health Canada, Ottawa, p 10

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwood Copper Corporation (2008) Sherwood reports high rainfall temporarily restricts access to its Minto Mine, production not affected. Press release #08-33 Available online. http://www.infomine.com/index/pr/Pa667263.PDF. Cited 8 October 2010

  • Smith D (1998) Recent increase in the length of the melt season of perennial arctic sea ice. Res Lett 25(5):655–658

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smit B, Skinner M (1999) Adaptation options in agriculture to climate change: a typology. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 7:85–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smit B, Wandel J (2006) Adaptation, adaptive capacity, and vulnerability. Glob Environ Change 16:282–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stringer L, Dyer J, Reed M, Dougill A, Twyman C, Mkwambisi D (2009) Adaptations to climate change, drought and desertification: local insights to enhance policy in southern Africa. Environ Sci Policy 12(7):748–765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Northern Miner (2000) Mining companies take on global warming. The Northern Miner 86(14)

  • The Northern Miner (2007) Editorial: feds unveil carbon emissions caps. The Northern Miner 93(11)

  • Thompson J (2009) Minto flushes 300 M liters of waste into the Yukon River. Yukon News 8 July 2009

  • Tribbia J, Moser S (2008) More than information: what coastal managers need to plan for climate change. Environ Sci Policy 11(4):315–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner B, Kasperson RE, Matson PA, McCarthy J, Corell R, Christensen L, Eckley N, Kasperson JX, Luers A, Martello ML, Polsky C, Pulsipher A, Schiller A (2003) A framework for vulnerability analysis in sustainability science. Proc Natl Acad Sci 100:8074–8079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP-FI, SIWI (2005) Challenges of water scarcity: a business case for financial institutions. UNEP Finance Initiative, Geneva, p 32

    Google Scholar 

  • Wise B (2005) Emission offset projects: an opportunity for leadership. Coal Age 110(3)

  • Yagouti A, Boulet G, Vescovi L (2006) Homogénisation des séries de températures et analyse de la variabilité spatio-temporelle de ces séries au Québec méridional; Report no. 4 in Homogénéisation des séries de températures du Québec méridional et analyse de l’évolution du climat à l’aide d’indicateurs, Ouranos, Montréal, pp 140 Available via: <http://www.ouranos.ca/doc/Rapports%20finaux/Rapport_final_MDDEP_Ouranos_projet7%201%20.pdf> Cited 12 July 2010

Download references

Acknowledgements

The research was funded by the David Suzuki Foundation and also benefited from in-kind support from ArcticNorth Consulting, SSHRC Vanier Doctoral Scholarship, University of Guelph Scholarships, SSHRC Canada Research Chairs program, the Global Environmental Change Group in the Department of Geography at the University of Guelph, and the Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Research Group at McGill University. We acknowledge the intellectual contributions made by Dale Marshall, David Suzuki Foundation, Tanya Smith, ArcticNorth Consulting, and Erica Beasley, McGill University. Thank you to Adam Bonnycastle for Figs. 1 and 2 and Andrew Reid for research assistance. We would like to thank all people and organizations that assisted us in this project including, the mining operations featured in the case studies and numerous mining industry practitioners. Also, thank you to the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) for permission to survey at the 2008 annual conference.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, University of Guelph, 20 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Tristan D. Pearce & Barry Smit

  2. Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada

    James David Ford, Maude Beaumier & Lea Berrang-Ford

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5, Canada

    Jason Prno

  4. Department of Geography, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada

    Frank Duerden

  5. Department of Geography, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada

    Jeremy Pittman

Authors
  1. Tristan D. Pearce
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. James David Ford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jason Prno
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Frank Duerden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jeremy Pittman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maude Beaumier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Lea Berrang-Ford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Barry Smit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tristan D. Pearce.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pearce, T.D., Ford, J.D., Prno, J. et al. Climate change and mining in Canada. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 16, 347–368 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-010-9269-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-010-9269-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation