Course Overview
This course provides an overview of environmental issues and practices that relate the mining industry. Topics include an historical overview of mining and the environment, an introduction to the principles and application of sustainability and the social license to operate, a review of the origin and control of acid rock drainage and a survey of environmental applications throughout the mining life cycle including baseline studies, the environmental assessment processes, environmental applications at operating mines, reclamation and closure.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Outline the major impacts that the mining industry has on the environment [1].
- Explain what is meant by sustainable development and the implications of sustainable development on the mining industry [1].
- Discuss the elements of a typical sustainability policy for major international mining companies [1].
- Identify the variety of stakeholders affected by a mining operation and discuss the implications of a social license to operate [4].
- Describe the regulatory requirements for permitting an exploration program in British Columbia [8,9].
- Describe the regulatory requirements and procedure for permitting a new mining operation in British Columbia [5].
- Outline the components of a typical baseline study and the contents of a typical environmental assessment report [8,9].
- Identify the sources and chemistry of acid rock drainage (ARD) and metal leaching [2,9].
- Discuss various mitigation techniques for ARD and the benefits and limitations of the different techniques [2,9].
- Discuss the environmental effects of operating mines including the effects on water, air, noise and health and safety [8,9].
- Outline common techniques that are used to minimize the environmental effect of an operating mine [8,9].
- Discuss various closure and reclamation plans that will mitigate any long-term effects of a mining operation on the environment [8,9].
Effective as of Winter 2018
Related Programs
Environmental Applications (MINE 4020) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Construction and the Environment
- Mineral Exploration and Mining Technology
Diploma Full-time
- Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.