Environmental Management

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Mineable mineral deposits exist in both convenient and inconvenient locations, including near sensitive ecosystems and water resources. Poorly managed mining operations can not only lead to negative environmental impacts, but they can undermine relationships between a mining company, affected communities, and all levels of government.

The responsible management of natural resources and ecosystems—including soils, plants, animals, water and air, and the services they provide—is important to any society seeking sustainability. These elements underpin the health of communities and economies and must be protected for society to thrive over the long term.

Building Government Capacity for Effective Environmental Management in Mining

We work with governments to develop and implement policies, regulations, and tools for effective environmental management throughout the mining life cycle consistent with our flagship Mining Policy Framework.

Through our capacity-building support, technical assistance, events, and publications, we help policy-makers mitigate negative environmental and social impacts and facilitate successful environmental management in the following five main areas.

Air and Noise

Adopting standards and policies to control greenhouse gas emissions, air quality and noise to protect people and the environment.

Water

Sustainably regulating water use, discharges, and quality at the watershed level to protect water resources for communities and ecosystems alike.

Biodiversity

Applying the mitigation hierarchy to avoid habitat loss, ecosystem fragmentation and degradation, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.

Mine Waste

Ensuring waste systems and facilities are chemically and physically stable to eliminate risk of failure and minimize exposure to people, wildlife, and landscapes.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Working with stakeholders to identify and understand risks across the mine life cycle, and ensure they are prepared to prevent, respond to, and recover from them.
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Strengthening Environmental Practices in Mining Governance

Effective environmental management is founded on legal frameworks, regulations, and policies that position governments for successful management throughout mining operations.

We published Guidance for Governments: Environmental Management and Mining Governance to help policy-makers achieve this goal.

In this publication, governments can explore international practices and standards; crucial legislative, regulatory, and policy tools; and what they must do before, during, and after operations to ensure the promotion of sustainable environmental management in mining.

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Additional Resources

Diagnostic and Training on Environmental Management and Mine Closure in Tanzania

A week-long workshop for government officials with responsibility for the mining sector in Tanzania.

Environmental Management Workshop in Burundi

The training helped the government of Burundi focused on environmental management in its mining sector.

Environmental Management Workshop in Guatemala

The training helped the government of Guatemala to identify strengths and weaknesses in environmental management in its mining sector.

Biodiversity and Mining Governance: Senegal and Turkey

This case study presents how mining impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems have been managed in Senegal and Turkey using the mitigation hierarchy.

Regulatory Continuous Improvement: Lessons from British Columbia’s new statutory audit function’

This IGF case study describes a new audit function to evaluate the effectiveness of the mining regulatory framework in British Columbia.