Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

2:30 PM
EMS Standards for a 21st Century Mine
E. Diaz-Gonzalez; Resolution Copper Mining, Superior, AZ
Resolution Copper’s concept of 21st-century mining has encouraged its operations
to work in ways that are environmentally friendly. Resolution Copper
has recently started the ISO 14001 certification process which calls for building
an environmental management system. Based on the principles of quality
management, the EMS provides a framework to identify, monitor and meet
environmental obligations. When the company first began the certification
process, it had 15 permanent employees and 50 contractors. By the time the
certification audit took place, Resolution Copper had increased its workforce
dramatically causing difficulties in training and in implementing the new ISO
standards.
2:55 PM
Improved Environmental Compliance through the Use of
Environmental Management Systems at Mine Sites
S. Hoffman and S. Mahmud; Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, US EPA, Washington, DC
In 2004 USEPA issued an EMS Strategy that encouraged industry and the
states to use EMSs to improve regulatory complaince. Executive Order 13148
ordered all federal agencies to implement EMSs by December 2005. EPA’s
Sector Worgroup has cooperatively developed EMS for five sectors. In 2006
SME initiated the drafting of a mining EMS. EPA’s National Mining Team is
supporting this effort since we believe that implementation of a mining EMS
will improve environmental compalince at mining sites. Many mining companies
have already implemented ISO 1400 programs, however the use of a
comprehensive mining EMS will focus managment attention on the unique
environmentl risks associated with large scale gold cyanide leach and copper
dump leach mining operations. The use of the SME mining EMS may also
help to supplement both federal and state regulatory programs.
3:15 PM
Environmental Management Systems for Aggregate Producers
J. Hayden; National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, Alexandria, VA
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Environmental
Guiding Principles encourage its members to adopt and implement an
Environmental Management System (EMS) program to meet its environmental
requirements and improve its overall performance. An EMS is a continual
cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving the actions that an
organization takes to meet its environmental goals. In the spirit of NSSGA’s
guiding principle, an EMS template for aggregate producers was created to
provide a written framework that can be used in sections or in its entirety to
develop a voluntary EMS program. The template, which conforms with revisions
to ISO 14001 that occurred in 2005, takes the form of modules so that
each aggregate producer can choose the individual modules and adapt them
to best fit their company’s needs and stated environmental goals and principles.
This presentation will focus on how and why NSSGA developed this
voluntary EMS program as well as the benefits derived from, and obstacles
encountered when, implementing an EMS.
3:35 PM
EMS Implementation Guideline for Small and Medium Sized Hard
Rock Mines
P. Kunkel; Environmental, Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc,
Phoenix, AZ
SME is leading an effort to develop a guideline for small and medium sized
hard rock mines to implement an effective Environmental Management
System. This guideline focuses on a no-frills, integrated management system
that is effective in addressing a mine’s most significant environmental issues
- and can be implemented quickly by site staff. The guideline is being developed
in a joint effort between SME and US EPA.
29
Chair:
Environmental:
Mine Reclamation - Risk & Sustainability
2:00 PM • Monday, February 25
R. Reisinger, URS Corporation, Denver, CO
2:05 PM
FMC Granger Mine Closure for Solution Mining
C. Pritchard 1 and T. Jacobsen 2 ; 1 Mine Engingineering, FMC, Green River,
WY and 2 Environmental Engineering, FMC, Green River, WY
FMC Granger Mine Closure for Solution Mining In 2005 it was decided to
abandon the FMC Granger underground mining operation and prepare the
mine workings for solution mining by surface installed deep well pumps.
Work involved recovering mine conveyor equipment, power cables, mobile
equipment, pumps and other installed infrastructure. Environmental work included
gathering hazardous chemicals and draining abandoned mining equipment
of fluids. Final work involved building bulkheads around the shaft bottom
area to prevent potential subsidence damage due to solution mining of
support pillars directly below the process plant facilities.
2:25 PM
Impacts of Surface Mining and Valley Fills on Storm Runoff in Central
Appalachia
P. Michael 1 , M. Superfesky 2 and D. Stump 3 ; 1 U.S. Office of Surface Mining,
Pittsburgh, PA; 2 U.S. Office of Surface Mining, Morgantown, WV and 3 U.S.
Office of Surface Mining, Pittsburgh, PA
The central Appalachian physiographic region is a highly dissected plateau
with high, tree-covered hills and deep, narrow valleys or “hollows.” Surface
mining, including construction of excess spoil fills, alters the topography,
drainage patterns, vegetation, and soil cover in and around the valleys. These
alterations can impact storm-runoff discharges through the hollows. Concern
has been expressed that surface mining above—and valley fill construction
within—inhabited hollows increases the potential for flooding, and consequent
loss of life and severe property damage. A number of studies have been
conducted in response to this concern, including several projects under the
Mountaintop Mining/Valley Fill Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released
in 2005. Several studies indicated a connection between mining activity
and increases in peak discharge. Significantly, actual storm-runoff events
in 2002 and 2005 demonstrate a “window of vulnerability” during the excess
spoil fill construction process in which severe, uncontrolled erosion over the
face of an unreclaimed fill can cause or augment dangerous debris flows and
floods through a local community.
2:45 PM
Hurley Townsite Residential Soil Remediation: A Case Study in
Sustainable Reclamation
D. Crawford 1 and J. Pepe 2 ; 1 Environmental Science, Golder Associates,
Redmond, WA and 2 Engineering, Golder Associates, Silver City, NM
Residential soil remediation in Hurley, New Mexico incorporated sustainability
aspects of environmental, economic, and social benefits into an ongoing
restoration project. Historical operations at the Chino Mines copper smelter
and concentrator facilities resulted in elevated copper in soil in nearby residential
yards. Remediation removed and recycled soils that posed potential
health risks, ensured resident and worker safety throughout remediation, used
local materials and labor, and involved the community in public and private
property improvements. Town improvements inspired the community to form
a new town pride committee that initiated additional town improvements,
local festivals, and fund raising events.
3:05 PM
Mine Closure Planning under the BHP Billiton Closure Standard
E. Bingham 1 , G. Byrne 3 and R. Reisinger 2 ; 1 Group Environment, BHPB
Billiton, Miami, AZ; 2 Mine Closure & Reclamation Services, URS
Corporation, Denver, CO and 3 Mining Environment, URS Corporation,
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
According to its Closure Standard, BHP Billiton investment properties and
operations are required to have closure plans that are regularly reviewed and
updated and that manage both current and future health, safety, environment
and community (HSEC) and other business risks associated with closure.
Key outcomes of the closure planning process are the development of a preferred
base closure plan and valuation of that plan. This paper compares/contrasts
recent closure plans developed according to the BHP Billiton Closure
Standard including plans for projects in Australia, South America, South
Africa and United States.