The Mining Association of Canada “A Guide for Environmental

With the adoption of an environmental policy in 1989, Canada’s mining industry made a commitment to maintain a high standard of environmental protection. The policy consists of six principles which member companies agree to follow in carrying out their activities in Canada and abroad. At its June 12-14 annual meeting, the membership of The Mining Association of Canada adopted A Guide for Environmental Practice to augment the policy. The guide clarifies the ways in which members will work toward advancing the goal of sustainable development, and specifically the basic principles outlined in the MAC policy. There are six points in the guide as they pertain to each principle stated in the policy.

— The first policy principle relating to compliance places a responsibility on individual companies to know and understand the environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines that apply to their specific operations.

Employees will be adequately trained to fulfil their responsibilities.

— The second principle of self- regulation implies that in the absence of environmental laws or regulations, the mining industry accepts responsibility for maintaining high standards of environmental protection, the adoption of appropriate corporate policies and self-regulation.

Notably, self-regulation plays a major part in preventing spills or emergency releases when companies apply effective systems to avoid them. Should spills occur, the industry would have remedial plans in place to minimize environmental impact.

— The third principle relates to monitoring which is an important means of measuring and rating environmental performance. Member companies will strive to develop and implement monitoring programs that allow for a regular assessment of operating performance and facilitate timely response to non-compliance in operations.

— The fourth principle relates to research, an important means of identifying and adjusting environmental priorities, in addition to mitigating and avoiding adverse environmental impact. Companies will identify the environmental research needs and opportunities associated with their own operations.

The resources required for effective research are often best provided through co-operative programs involving other companies, industry associations, governments, and universities or other research organizations.

— The fifth principle relates to future laws. Companies have agreed to work proactively with government and the public in the development of equitable, cost- effective, and realistic laws for the protection of the environment. While government laws, regulations and guidelines should provide the general framework for environmental protection, such laws must also recognize the variation in site specific conditions.

— Finally, the sixth principle relates to communications whereby companies agree to work individually and/or collectively to make objective, factual information available to other sectors so that their interests can be directed toward common objectives related to the environment.

While industry seeks opportunities to be heard, it also recognizes that others have the same rights.

In sum, the challenge for Canada’s mining industry is to supply minerals and metals required to sustain social and economic growth without causing long-term environmental degradation. To do this effectively, the industry must maintain its international competitiveness; otherwise the financial resources will not be there to allow the industry to contribute effectively to research and other goals in society. George Miller is the president of The Mining Association of Canada.