FINEX 2008
Environment & Exploration:New Codes and New Attitudes
by Fergus Anckorn
(A VERY brief) History of Environmental Management
Environmental Impacts of exploration
Regulations and Guidance
Impact Mitigation Measures
Community Awareness
NGOs
What we will cover
HEALTH AND SAFETY – AND SECURITY???
•Do you have a risk assessment?
•Do you have a plan to minimise risk?
•Are exploration staff trained?
History of Environmental Management & Mining
Mining Acts that were aimed to protect property rights of other land users
Extension of those Acts to accommodate the new health and safety Acts introduced in the 19th and 20th centuries (water and air)
Increasing environmental awareness commencing in the 1980s with the Bruntland Commission Report on sustainable development
Demands by governments, communities, shareholders, NGOs and funding agencies for improved environmental management
And into the 21st Century - Greater awareness of the need to address social/community issues
The Modern Mining Industry’s Driving Axiom
• Mining has as much to do with achieving public and potential shareholder’s confidence as it does with exploration and exploitation of mineral resources
Environmental Impacts of Exploration
Air quality
Surface water and groundwater
Soils and land use
Wildlife
Noise
Visual impacts
Cultural Heritage
Socio-economic impacts
Exploration impacts
Regulations & Guidance
Mining Acts Exploration permit conditions Environmental protection legislation
– Air quality
– Water
– Soils
– Wildlife
World Bank/IFC guidance and performance standards International Council on Mining & Metals Country-based guidance Association guidance – eg PDAC Company codes
Environmental management guidance for exploration
Impact Mitigation Measures
Research permit conditions, environmental legislation, environmental codes, etc;
Scope potential impacts – environmental and community sensitivities?
Consultation with affected stakeholders
Minimise exploration footprint
Provision for appropriate containment of fuels, etc;
Spill contingency measures;
Stakeholder liaison;
Site clean-up and restoration/after-care
Low footprintExploration
Community awareness (PDAC guidance)
Exploration provides first contact
“Phoney mine” danger
– Expectations created
– Promises made
Preconditions attitudes to eventual mining
Reduced risk of social conflict
and attendant delays.
Faster permitting and
approvals.
Reduced risk of criticism and
interference from outside parties.
More effective use of corporate resources (particularly community relations and community development budgets).
Dealing with communities Why?
Who do we talk to? What is the structure and organization of the community (or communities) to be engaged? When do we talk? Before or after what event or activity? What do we talk about? What can be said? How do we talk? What are the cultural characteristics of the community (or communities) to
be engaged? What is the capacity of our company to participate in this process? What is our ability, credibility, and confidence? Where do we find assistance? What is the capacity of the community to participate in this process? Do community members have the ability, experience, organization, and
access to support in order to deal with this situation? Where can assistance be found to support the community?
Dealing with communities How?
Respect. Respect for all parties Honesty. Full, true and plain disclosure
of information. Inclusion. Ensuring that the process is inclusive, that all parties who
should be present are indeed present. Transparency. Establishing and maintaining complete transparency in
all aspects of the process. Communication. Listening to the community as well as talking with its
members. You should also be Sensitive to local cultural norms, and modify the engagement process
to accommodate these norms. Creating realistic expectations on all sides. Starting early, thereby allowing time for learning, understanding and
getting to know each other.
Dealing with communities Principles
When things go wrong……………….
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 1
Raising environmental awareness
Assisting to identify issues
Whistle-blowing
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 2
Obfuscation and delays
Taking political stances
Providing a tool for the corrupt
and the unscrupulous
No proper accountability
Push-back?
Summary
You are the first contact with the host community
What you do matters There is a LOT of guidance and help
available Do your homework on environmental
and social sensitivity Have a plan to deal with the
environment and communities and revise it as experience is gained
H&S – and Security management? Consult before, during and after
THE END!