Sustainable Development

The demands of our modern society require continual production form the world's natural resources. The minerals sector plays an important role in meeting these needs. There a very few things in our modern world that don't make claim to some, if not all, mineral content. It is unlikely this will change in the foreseeable future. This means the demands will be consistent, but it also means we must be clever and sensible about how to meet those demands now and in the future.

Acid drainage rehabilitation at the Savage River Mine

Looking after the environment where mining and processing of minerals takes place is vital to the industry. The modern mining industry will be short-lived if it isn't able to demonstrate the principles of sustainability. This means that any activity the industry undertakes in the present must not compromise future generations. As a response to societal expectations and better understanding of resources and technology the minerals industry now undertakes its activity within a sustainable development framework.

It is the community's expectation that the principles of good environmental management underlie mining activity in Australia and particularly Tasmania.

The mining and processing industries involve many operations, from open cut mining, underground mining, drilling, dredging, to processing such as smelting. These activities occur over a variety of terrains, vegetation and climatic zones.

All these operations have some environmental impact. It is the mining industry's responsibility to ensure this impact is minimized for modern operations and ongoing problems from old operations are rectified if possible.

The mining industry did not have a good history when it came to good environmental management. Environmental awareness began to rise around the world in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Until then, the environmental performance of both industry and individuals was often poor, when measured against today's standards.

However, even though environmental awareness came late to western society, it rose quickly and is now a firm and fundamental element of industrial performance.The minerals industry in Tasmania must meet certain environmental standards laid down by the Tasmanian government.

These standards are policed by the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment who can be found at www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au

Before photo - wetlands rehabilitation of the jarosite stockpile, Risdon Hobart

Many report to stakeholders annually with a Sustainable Development Report that identifies and measures key performance indicators on issues related to environment, community relations, health and safety and economic performance. For examples, see reports at www.placerdome.com and www.comalco.com

In the Tasmanian industry we have excellent example of progression and understanding along the continuum of sustainable development practices.

On Tasmania's west coast there are two examples that demonstrate this quite clearly, the Mt Lyell copper mine and the Henty gold mine.

The Mt Lyell copper mine, situated in the township of Queenstown, is more than a hundred years old. It was established well before the understandings and knowledge we have now, and the practice we expect today. The legacy from the old surface workings will be carried for a long time.

After photo - wetlands rehabilitation of the jarosite stockpile, Risdon Hobart

Historically, resources such as water and forests were for the primary benefit of industry. The community's claim was barely considered, and certainly there was little or no consideration for future generations. Economic development and prosperity for the moment was the guiding principle.

Guided by such motives it is not hard to realise the outcome. Thankfully both the industry and the community's expectations have come a long way and is evidenced in the operations.

The Henty gold mine, north of Queenstown demonstrates the benefit of better practices and greater knowledge and understandings and is often heralded as a working example for other mines to benefit. Indeed the current owners of the Mt Lyell mine are operating within a framework that is accepted as good practice. Similarly smelters and processors such as Comalco and TEMCO in Bell Bay and Zinifex in Hobart and the mine in Rosebery are excellent examples of how the industry has responded, and all are frequent recipients of awards in environmental excellence.

For a more detailed description of the West Coast example see the brochure
Wilderness, Rivers and Mines. - 232kb

On a national level many companies are signatories to a Code for Environmental Management, which has been developed through the Minerals Council of Australia. The Code requires the signatories to observe a set of principles and encourages continual improvement for environmental performance. In light of the more contemporary sustainable development approach, this Code is being broadened to encompass goals and actions that are more representative of a sustainable development framework. The Operational Framework for Sustainable Development - 232kb - is currently being developed. The Environment Code and progress towards this more sustainable representation can be viewed on www.minerals.org.au.