Mining Intervention
Scientific and Technological Major Group
UNCSD-19 IPM
New York
March 2, 2011
The Scientific and Technological Community includes the world¡¥s innovators who are the key to the technological solutions needed to address the real and current threats to sustainability.
Chair, mining offers an interesting model in terms of sustainability. It is a wealth generator, an employer, a supplier of basic and fundemental infrastructures that provides opportunity for economic and social growth. Its impact on the environment throughout its life cycle can be long lasting and its legacy can cause serious concern.
We believe that sustainable mining includes:
?h environmental and social impact assessments, undertaken in consultation with local communities as part of the planning process, and incorporated into the mine development plan that includes rehabilitation of impacted areas.
?h adequate environmental monitoring systems and regular socio-economic studies over the life cycle of the mining operation.
?h respective regulatory frameworks at national and international levels to address corporate social and environmental responsibility and complete accountability.
?h more investment in targeted scientific and engineering research and in upgrading education and training.
?h the development, transfer and application of environmentally friendly technologies, including those technologies that reduce water and energy consumption and impact.
?h technical and financial support to developing countries that will strengthen the technical capacities of national institutions regarding the opportunities and challenges of mining, including establishing and managing contracts
with international mining companies and organizing participatory processes that includes the local community.
Chair, the legacys and residual impacts of mining, such as the large physical footprint of a surface mine, should be carefully planned, implemented and monitored to minimize the environmental impacts during mining and to facilitate the return of the land to a sustainable post-mining use.
Thank you,
delivered by:
Darrel Danyluk P.Eng FEIC,FCAE, FEC, FCSCE
VP World Federation of Engineering Organizations
Chair Committee on Engineering and Environment
