Environmental Applications MINE 2106

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Outline the major impacts that the mining industry has on the environment.
• Recall historical impacts of mining on the environment.
• Explain the meaning of sustainable development and its implications on the mining industry.
• Discuss the elements of a typical sustainability policy for major international mining companies and identify the variety of stakeholders affected by a mining operation.
• Describe the regulatory requirements for permitting an exploration program in British Columbia.
• Describe the regulatory requirements and procedure for permitting a new mining operation in British Columbia including the Mines Act and the environmental assessment processes.
• Outline the components of a typical baseline study.
• Outline the contents of a typical environmental assessment report including discussion of the physical, social and economic environments.
• Explain the sources and chemistry of acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching.
• Discuss various mitigation techniques for ARD and the benefits and limitations of the different techniques.
• Discuss the environmental effects of operating mines including the effects on water, air, noise and health and safety.
• Outline common techniques that are used to minimize the environmental effect of an operating mine.
• Discuss various closure and reclamation plans that will mitigate and ultimately eliminate any long-term effects of a mining operation on the environment.
• Recall case studies discussed during class.

Effective as of Winter 2005

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