Environmental Management
Environmental management in the mining sector is a critical area of focus due to the industry's significant impact on ecosystems and communities. As global awareness of environmental issues grows, the discussion around sustainable mining practices has intensified. This discourse encompasses a range of topics, from reducing emissions and managing waste to rehabilitating mining sites and conserving water and biodiversity. Effective environmental management not only helps to mitigate the negative impacts of mining but is also critical to securing a mine’s social license to operate. It aligns industry operations with broader environmental and regulatory standards, ensuring that mining activities contribute positively to both economic and ecological landscapes.
Projekt-Consult helps to:
- Design guidelines and train stakeholders on conducting comprehensive environmental due diligence to manage risks and ensure compliance.
- Develop systems for monitoring and control, training government, industry leaders, civil society and communities to effectively oversee and manage environmental impacts.
Environmental due diligence: We have extensive experience in environmental due diligence, focusing on assessing and mitigating risks to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and standards. Our approach includes thorough evaluations of environmental impacts and the establishment of best practices for sustainable operations. For instance, we have developed and supported the implementation of environmental management plans for numerous mining operations in Africa and Latin America. Our in-house experts also contributed to the development of a Handbook on Environmental Due Diligence in Mineral Supply Chains for the OECD and several standards that include environmental aspects and have conducted audits that included environmental considerations.
Environmental management for ASM: Since the 1980s, Projekt-Consult's engineers and environmental experts have been dedicated to mitigating environmental impact in small-scale mining operations. We have provided extensive training and advisory services to numerous mining and environmental ministries, mining regulators, and other institutions, equipping them with the knowledge to effectively regulate and monitor the small-scale mining sector. We have also collaborated with numerous companies, assessing their current operations and procedures and offering guidance to address critical issues such as mining waste management and mercury or cyanide management.
Monitoring and control: Our work in environmental monitoring and control, particularly in Western and Central Africa, leverages cutting-edge IT tools to enhance the precision and efficiency of environmental oversight. We have successfully implemented systems that allow for real-time monitoring of mining impacts, aiding in the proactive management of environmental risks. Looking forward, we are planning to expand these initiatives to include cross-border activities, aiming to establish a unified approach to environmental monitoring across multiple African nations. This regional collaboration will facilitate better management of transboundary ecosystems and promote sustainable mining practices.
Capacity building: Our decades of experience in capacity building have equipped us to deliver comprehensive training programmes, especially targeted at oversight governing bodies in the mining sector such as in Bolivia, DRC, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone. We focus on empowering these institutions with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively monitor, manage and regulate environmental impacts. Through workshops, seminars, and hands-on training, we ensure that these bodies are proficient, enhancing their ability to monitor and manage mine sites.
Mine closure: We provide analyses and improvements to mine closure processes from a legal, political, environmental, and technical perspective. A particular focus is on the environmental risks with regards to biodiversity, water management, and chemical pollutants. Our experts map stakeholders involved in and affected by the closure process at the national, regional, and local levels. This allows us to understand prospects for reclamation and explore potential uses for post-mining areas. Based on field data collection, we integrate international best practices into complex mine closure processes in Colombia, Mongolia, and Thailand.
Contact
Projekt-Consult GmbH
Phone: +49 40 603 06 740
E-mail: info@projekt-consult.de
Photo header: © Swiss Better Gold Initiative
