Environmental Aspects of Phosphate and Potash Mining

Environmental Aspects of Phosphate and Potash Mining3.9 Environmental ManagementEnvironmental management is an activity that isongoing throughout the entire mining life cycle, frominitial exploration to the final closure of the operationand handing over of the site. It encompasses and influencesall the different activities of the mining life cycleand is most effective when integrated with the day-todaymanagement and planning of the operation.Environmental management consists of systems, procedures,practices and technologies that varydepending on the specific characteristics of the surroundingecosystem, the legal framework and themining methods and beneficiation processesemployed.As appreciation of the complexity of environmentalconsiderations has grown, a variety of managementtools have been developed to assist companies bettercontrol the effects of their operations and provide ahigher level of environment protection. These toolsinclude: environmental management systems (EMS);environmental impact assessment (EIA); environmentaltechnology assessment (EnTA); environmentalauditing; life cycle assessment (LCA); cleaner productionand environmental reporting (6).Recent developments such as LCA and cleaner productionhave adopted a more holistic, pollutionprevention, approach to environmental issues. Theylook at the life of a product or service to determinewhere the greatest impacts may occur and then whereand how the most effective action, in terms of cost andresults, can be taken to prevent the impact to potentiallyoccurring. These tools assist management byproviding information to improve decision-making.Their effectiveness depends in a large part on the commitmentand motivation of management and theworkforce.Amongst other things, better environmental managementcontributes to: Prevention of problems; Identification and implementation of effectivesolutions to environmental issues; Compliance with environmental legislation; regulationsand standards; Engagement of and improved relations with stakeholderssuch as employees, community, regulatoryagencies and customers;(6) Additional information on environmental managementtools is available from the UNEP, UNIDO and IFA TechnicalReport on “Fertilizer Production and the Environment”, Part2: Environmental Management Systems and a variety ofother publications by UNEP.Greater control by management of the company'sactivities.This section provides an indication of some of theapproaches being taken by the phosphate rock andpotash mining industry to provide more effectiveenvironmental management.Corporate Environment PolicyA company's environment policy is a key element ofan EMS. This public statement commits managementto a set of principles that guide their activities.Leading companies have moved from an environment-specificfocus, to a wider, sustainabledevelopment stance, recognizing the integration ofeconomic, environment and social needs.Environment PolicyWMC have framed their environment policy in termsof sustainable development since 1995.WMC Environment PolicyThe Company is committed to achieving compatibilitybetween economic development and themaintenance of the environment.It therefore seeks to ensure that, throughout all phasesof its activities, WMC personnel and contractorsgive proper consideration to the care of the flora,fauna, air, land and water, and to the communityhealth and heritage which may be affected by theseactivities.To fulfill this commitment, the Company will observeall environmental laws and, consistent with the principlesof sustainable development, will: Progressively establish and maintain company-wideenvironmental standards for our operationsthroughout the world; Integrate environmental factors into planning andoperational decisions and processes; Assess the potential environmental effects of ouractivities, and regularly monitor and audit our environmentalperformance; Continually improve our environmental performance,including reducing the effect of emissions,developing opportunities for recycling, and moreefficiently using energy, water and other resources; Rehabilitate the environment affected by our activities; Conserve important populations of flora and faunathat may be affected by our activities; Promote environmental awareness amongCompany personnel and contractors to increaseunderstanding of environmental matters.Source: WMC Environment Report 1996.