What extraction disturbs.
WHAT THE IMPACTS ARE
Land disturbance Dust Noise and vibration
Water: contamination, diversion, and sediment
Waste rock and tailings Vegetation and habitat loss
WHY WATER DESERVES PARTICULAR ATTENTION
Contaminated discharge affects communities downstream and it attracts serious consequences.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Where site water goes What it contains Whether discharge is permitted
WHAT SEDIMENT CONTROL REQUIRES
Settlement ponds Diversion of clean water around workings Containment of disturbed areas
WHY
Sediment in watercourses destroys fisheries and farmland and it is the commonest complaint.
WHAT PROCESSING CHEMICALS REQUIRE
Containment Controlled storage and use Prevention of any release
WHY MERCURY DESERVES SPECIFIC MENTION
Its use in informal gold recovery causes severe and lasting harm to workers, communities and waterways.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That it is not used, and that alternatives are employed.
WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT MAY BE REQUIRED
Before operations commence, depending on scale.
WHAT IT TYPICALLY INVOLVES
Assessment of impacts Consultation Mitigation measures Approval
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
What applies to your operation, before starting.
WHY BEFORE
Retrospective assessment is difficult and operations may be halted.
WHAT REHABILITATION REQUIRES
Restoring worked areas Stabilising slopes Managing water Replacing soil and vegetation
WHEN TO DO IT
Progressively, as areas are worked out.
WHY PROGRESSIVELY
Leaving it to the end means it is never funded or done.
WHAT TO SET ASIDE
Funds for rehabilitation, as production proceeds.
WHAT TO RECORD
Monitoring, incidents and rehabilitation performed.
