The third training session of this series was held in Mwanza, Tanzania, from April 17 to 27, 2018, with 24 trainees from 10 countries and four trainers. Participants were introduced to mining and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in Mwanza, as well as the importance of environmental management throughout their mining activities.
WP4, which focused on the environmental management of mines, aimed to introduce knowledge for managing environmental problems related to mining by using geosciences to understand, predict and prevent environmental impacts caused by mining activities. This training program covered a variety of issues, including:
- EIA and permitting of mining projects
- Environmental monitoring of mines
- Flows of water at a mine site and mine water chemistry
- Field work: water sampling and monitoring
- Prevention and mitigation of ARD, water treatment methods
- Study visit: ARD management at GGM
- Methods for mine waste characterization
- Field and labwork: waste sampling and measurements
- Waste facilities and dam safety issues
- Study visit: GGM tailings dam
- Mine closure
- Case study field work: mine site rehabilitation (Resolute Golden Pride Mine)
- Mercury and cyanide management in small- and large-scale mining
- Alternative use of mine waste
The training program included lectures, group discussions and presentations of current research and projects to foster peer-to-peer learning. The training offered unique opportunities for participants to work with current examples and site-specific situations.
The goals of this training are to show the African Geological Surveys staff how mining affects the environment, to provide participants with an understanding of the most common environmental impacts associated with mining and to offer information on how to prevent and mitigate these issues. WP4 aims to promote better governance, as well as the sustainable use of mineral resources in Africa.
There were 24 trainees from 10 countries in attendance, including Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Training and field work were led by SGU, the African Minerals and Geosciences Centre, City Engineering, Ardhi University, the National Environmental Management Council and the Ministry of Minerals (Tanzania) and Geita Gold Mine (AngloGold Ashanti).
Due to demand from applicants and previous trainees, SGU increased field work to more than half of the 12 days. The workshop is hands on and directly relevant to participants who practice skills they can use immediately upon their return to work.
For questions regarding WP4, please contact:
WP4 Co-Leader Berndt Pettersson (SGU): berndt.pettersson@sgu.se