Mitigating impacts on environment and society, promoting human and workers’ rights, maintaining good relations between different stakeholders of mining projects, transparency and accountability and, in the best case, maximising mining’s contribution to sustainable rural development – these are all elements of responsible mineral extraction.
Our Approach
As early as the 1980s, Projekt-Consult began developing and introducing locally adapted technologies to improve the work situation and reduce environmental damage caused by mining in Latin America. Some of the topics have accompanied us since then - such as the reduction of mercury emissions in small-scale gold mining. Other issues have only been added over time, such as mine site audits and improvements in water and energy efficiency in mining. Today, our services encompass technical solutions, capacity building and strategic advice on the environmental and social dimensions of resource extraction.
Our Services
Environmental best practice
Finding ways to make environmental protection financially affordable for small and medium mining operations is the goal of several our projects. Solutions are sought by introducing environmentally favourable technology through the training and education of workers, increased work safety measures, higher productivity by means of (semi-) mechanization of the operations, and assistance in legalizing the mines; these measures contribute towards reducing the environmental impact - especially in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
Cyanide and mercury in ASM
In the 1980’s, experts of Projekt-Consult became aware of the enormous environmental and health challenges generated by the widespread use of the amalgamation process in artisanal and small-scale mining. Within pilot projects in Colombia, first technical means to reduce mercury emissions from the process and to replace the open mercury cycle, have been successfully implemented. Since then, Projekt-Consult has implemented numerous lighthouse projects worldwide and has gained extensive experience with the toxicology, monitoring, and reduction of mercury.
Occupational safety and health
Translating modern OSH standards into practically applicable standards for the ASM sector is a key expertise of the company which has been demonstrated by internationally recognised publications and training materials on organisation of safety and health in the mines, personal protective equipment, mine rescue procedures and training, safe mine design and mining methods, open cast, underground mine ventilation, safe handling of explosives, and blasting operations.
Information and sensitization campaigns for responsible mining
Campaigns to inform and sensitize artisanal miners on responsible mining principles are an integral part of our ASM-related projects. These may be carried out as separate campaigns, as part of trainings for artisanal miners or as part of the greater communication strategy of projects.
Development of communication and coordination structures for different mining stakeholders
Within our projects, we have designed structures for effective communication and coordination among different mining stakeholders, such as private companies, local communities, artisanal miners, the mining administration, etc.
Implementation of best practice standards
A number of national and international, compulsory and voluntary, best practice standards for responsible mining have been developed over the past years. Projekt-Consult has accompanied mining companies in the implementation of such standards, including mine site audits, recommendations for improvement, development of related company policies and training.
Contact
Projekt-Consult GmbH
Phone: +49 40 60306 740
Fax: +49 40 603 06 759
E-mail: info@projekt-consult.de