Environmental Control in Mining: Too Risky?

Nov. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Environmental Control in Mining: Too Risky?

Perth, Australia


In an effort to control the environmental effects of mining development, the West Australian Government has moved to a ‘risk’ based approvals process – known as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

A review to the current process has become ever present due to the rapidly expanding range of environmental issues, risks and impacts in mining - the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are the driving force to these changes in legislation.

EPA believes there are clear opportunities to deliver better environmental protection; to improve efficiency, transparency, and consistency of the EIA process and policies; and to enable environmentally sustainable development.

Recently, Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett gave his approval to the $50 billion ‘Gorgon Gas’ development, clearing away the final hurdle to the biggest resources project in Australia, saying “I've considered it very carefully, I don't believe that there'll be unacceptable impacts, and as a consequence of that, I've made my decision today”.

“I've applied an additional 28 conditions to this project, and we have some 20 management plans in place which will enable a more open and transparent identification of both the management plans that are in place and the compliance requirements that are necessary,” he said.

IQPC Australia’s Environmental Management in Mining will focus on how current legislation and processes are, and will effect resource development.

To be held in Perth in February 2010, the conference will bring together environment professionals in a forum of shared knowledge and networking, to improve the transparency and clarity of process and assessment criteria of approvals.

For more information call Nigel Amyes on +61 2 9229 1020, or visit www.environmentalmining.com.au

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