Environmental Stewardship

The Excellence In Environmental Stewardship E-Toolkit Good Practice Guidelines

Table of Contents
2.1 Introduction 
   2.1.1 History 
   2.1.2 Purpose 
   2.1.3 Layout of EES Web Site 
   2.1.4 Scope
   2.1.5 Compilation and Editing
   2.1.6 Intended Audience
   2.1.7 The Future 
2.2 Management Essentials
   2.2.1 Exploration Code of Conduct 
   2.2.2 Environmental Challenges 
   2.2.3 Legislation and Permitting
   2.2.4 Planning
   2.2.5 Due Diligence
      2.2.5.1 Wilderness Sites
      2.2.5.2 Previously Explored Sites
      2.2.5.3 Previous Production Sites
   2.2.6 Contractor Selection and Management
   2.2.7 Reviews and Audits 
   2.2.8 Record Keeping
   2.2.9 Reporting

Introduction

The Excellence in Environmental Stewardship (EES) e-toolkit is a comprehensive and up-to-date on-line resource for environmentally and responsible exploration practices and issues. Throughout the e-toolkit, emphasis is placed upon planning for avoidance of adverse impacts wherever possible. Taking account of the potential impacts before initiating an exploration program helps to ensure that exploration professionals leave as light a footprint as possible during their work. 

Introduction

From time to time, exploration crews may become aware of, or suspect that, sites of archaeological or cultural significance are located on lands to be explored, or which are being explored. This is a critical issue that must be addressed during the planning or execution of any exploration program. Failure to do so may create serious legal difficulty and lead to significant conflict with local people. There is no surer way of creating conflict than desecrating, however unintentionally, a grave or a place of worship. Many jurisdictions have laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of archaeological and cultural sites. As professionals, explorationists must have knowledge of these laws and be in compliance with them.

Table of Contents

4.1 Basic Elements
   4.1.1 Exploration Code of Conduct 
   4.1.2 Planning 
   4.1.3 Due Diligence
   4.1.4 Legislation and Permitting 
4.2 Operational Aspects
   4.2.1 Community Relations
   4.2.2 Contractor Selection and Management
   4.2.3 Health and Safety
   4.2.4 Wildlife
4.3 Policies and Reporting
   4.3.1 Fire Prevention, Policy, and Response
   4.3.2 Training 
   4.3.3 Reviews and Audits
   4.3.4 Record Keeping
   4.3.5 Reporting

Introduction

In its early stages, exploration generally has a low environmental and socioeconomic impact. Consequently, the need for rehabilitation is modest and it is possible to take the steps to remediate a disturbance quickly. As more detailed exploration proceeds, the impacts increase correspondingly, as do the requirements for effective mitigation.

EES encourages a proactive way of looking at the issue of environmental impact - to avoid it in the first instance wherever possible. This proactive approach also encourages taking into account the total cost of a program, rather than just the direct cost of carrying out a particular activity.

Proper planning and consideration may result in new and improved approaches. Asking whether a program will have more or less impact on the natural and social environment may lead to a decision to use different, perhaps newer, technology to achieve the same aim.

Table of Contents

5.1 Causes of Erosion 
5.2 Consequences of Erosion 
5.3 Methods of Erosion Control 
5.4 Minimizing Disturbances 
   5.4.1 Clearing of Vegetation
   5.4.2 Soil Conservation
      5.4.2.1 Trenches and Pits
      5.4.2.2 Managing Soil on Slopes
      5.4.2.3 Soil Stabilization 
   5.4.3 Vehicle and Equipment Use 
5.5 Managing Drainage and Runoff
   5.5.1 Road and Track Design
      5.5.1.1 Planning
      5.5.1.2 Location
      5.5.1.3 Construction
      5.5.1.4 Drainage
      5.5.1.5 Creek Crossings
      5.5.1.6 Track Use 
   5.5.2 Ditches and Drains 
   5.5.3 Bridges and Crossings 
      5.5.3.1 Vegetation Management 
      5.5.3.2 Types of Crossings
   5.6 Controlling Sediment
      5.6.1 Straw Bales and Sandbags 
      5.6.2 Silt Fences
      5.6.3 Brush Barriers 
      5.6.4 Diversions and Dams
      5.6.5 Sediment Traps or Basins 
5.7 Special Terrains
   5.7.1 Arctic and Alpine Terrains 
   5.7.2 Arid and Tropical Terrains
   5.7.3 Riparian Areas 
   5.7.4 Wetlands 
   5.7.5 Beaches and Coastal Sand Dunes

Introduction

This section describes the natural causes and consequences of erosion, and how exploration activities can accelerate erosion processes. It then details the steps to take to control erosion during exploration activities. In addition, it explores the unique vulnerabilities of special terrains to erosion.

Erosion is the wearing away of the land surface in response to natural forces such as wind and rain. These forces cause the materials of the earth's surface to loosen, dissolve, or wear away, then to be transported from one place to another by natural agents. The result is a change in the shape, and often the usefulness, of the land surface.

Erosion is accelerated by exploration activities. Understanding the causes and consequences of erosion makes it possible to better evaluate and select methods to mitigate and control the impact of exploration. 

Table of Contents

6.1 Health and Safety
   6.1.1 Health and Safety Management Systems 
6.2 Housekeeping
   6.2.1 Housekeeping and Hazardous Materials
6.3 Monitoring and Inspections
6.4 Site Clearing 
6.5 Drainage Control
   6.5.1 Run-on 
   6.5.2 Runoff
6.6 Maintenance 
6.7 Security 
   6.7.1 Induction and Orientations
   6.7.2 Log Book and Emergency Response
   6.7.3 Theft and Vandalism
6.8 Baseline Studies
   6.8.1 Water Resources
   6.8.2 Cultural and Archaeological Resources
   6.8.3 Exemplary Natural Resources
6.9 Sample Handling
   6.9.1 Collection 
   6.9.2 Handling 
   6.9.3 Transport
   6.9.4 Drilling Sample Handling 
6.10 Concurrent Reclamation
6.11 Further Considerations

Introduction

The primary goal of a site management system is to ensure every person entering the site completes their business in a safe, environmentally sensitive and effective manner. This includes: contractors; visitors; inspectors; and senior company management. 

For the purposes of this e-toolkit, a site is any area where exploration and related activities are conducted by the company, its employees, contractors, and subcontractors, whether or not the company has land tenure. The following two examples would both be considered sites worthy of inclusion in a site management system:

The location of a contracted prospector's parked truck on the shoulder of a highway, while the prospector is on a reconnaissance traverse. The boat or floatplane loading area of a public dock.

As described in the Management Essentials section of this e-toolkit, site selection planning is an important factor in the safe and successful completion of any exploration program. Although access to water for consumption, hygiene, overburden stripping, sluicing, drilling, and transportation is an important factor in the site selection process, also consider the effects that the selection will have on soil erosion, local and regional water resources, ecosystem health, and future exploration programs.

Mining operations often take advantage of infrastructure established by exploration crews, so planning (especially roads and camps) should consider potential long-term effects. In addition, be aware that water management and soil erosion control forms the bulk of environmental control activities at operating and closed mine sites.

Table of Contents

7.1 Sensitivities and Concerns 
7.2 Planning 
7.3 Work Practices

Introduction

Air quality is a valued ecosystem component because of its importance for visibility and its effects on worker health and safety, as well as for wildlife, vegetation, and water quality. Air quality management focuses on prevention. 

Table of Contents

8.1 Sensitivities and Concerns
8.2 Impacts 
8.3 Planning
8.4 Work Practices
   8.4.1 Vermin Control 
8.5 Dangerous Wildlife
   8.5.1 Bear Attacks 
   8.5.2 Playing Dead
   8.5.3 Fighting Back 
   8.5.4 Using Bear Spray

Introduction

Fish and wildlife are valued components of the ecosystem. Proper management of these includes the:

• Preservation and conservation of fish and wildlife species and their habitat
• Continuance of heritage, cultural, recreational, sport and commercial activities
• Protection of human health and safety

Table of Contents

9.1 Sensitivities and Concerns 
9.2 Planning 
9.3 Water Control
9.4 Potable Water: Location, Supply, and Storage 
9.5 Non-Potable Water: Location, Design, and Extraction 
9.6 Water Discharge 
9.7 Artesian Water 
9.8 Conservation 
9.9 Protection

Introduction

Many exploration activities require a source of potable and non-potable water. As exploration programs move from early to advanced stage, expect an increase in demand for water and additional stress on water quality. Water is a valued component of the ecosystem. 

Table of Contents

10.1 Fuels and Petroleum Products 
     10.1.1 Storage Site Setup
     10.1.2 Use of Drums and Other Containers
     10.1.3 Refuelling Operations
     10.1.4 Transporting Fuel and Petroleum Products 
     10.1.5 Handling Fuels and Oils on Water
10.2 Propane and Other Liquefied Petroleum Gases
10.3 Explosives
     10.3.1 Transport and Storage of Explosives
     10.3.2 Handling of Fuses and Blasting Caps 
     10.3.3 Blasting 
10.4 Solvents and Paints 
10.5 Drilling Fluids
     10.5.1 Handling and Storage of Drilling Fluids
10.6 Pesticides and Herbicides 
     10.6.1 Handling and Storage of Pesticides and Herbicides
10.7 Acids and Bases
10.8 Antifreeze
10.9 Dust
     10.9.1 Managing Dust 

Introduction

Hazardous material includes items or commodities that pose an undue risk to any of the following:

• Health
• Safety
• Life
• Environment
• Personal property

Table of Contents

11.1 Definition 
11.2 Planning 
    11.2.1 Public 
    11.2.2 Responsibilities
    11.2.3 Inspections
    11.2.4 Media
11.3 Response and Mitigation
    11.3.1 Material Specific 
        11.3.1.1 Diesel, Hydraulic, Lube, and Waste Oils 
        11.3.1.2 Gasoline and Jet B Aviation Fuel
        11.3.1.3 Other Hazardous Materials
    11.3.2 Land 
    11.3.3 Snow and Ice
    11.3.4 Water
    11.3.5 Alternative Techniques
11.4 Site Restoration
11.5 Reporting
11.6 Disposal
11.7 Spill Kits
    11.7.1 Spill Kits Land 
    11.7.2 Spill Kits Water
11.8 Documentation 
    11.8.1 Spill Report Form

Introduction

Spills have the potential to cause severe environmental damage as well as considerable economic and image consequences for a company. Workers must ensure that any spills are treated with great care, and dealt with promptly, to minimize the possibility of any of them becoming a major issue.

The principal objectives of this Spill Management section are to:

• Provide readily accessible emergency information to the cleanup crews, company management and government agencies, in the event of a spill
• Comply with the company's environmental and crisis management policies
• Comply with national and local regulations and guidelines pertaining to the preparation of contingency plans and notification requirements
• Promote the safe and effective recovery of spilled materials
• Minimize the environmental impacts of spills to water or land
• Facilitate the management of wastes according to environmental legislation

Table of Contents

12.1 Definitions 
     12.1.1 Waste
     12.1.2 Other Important Definitions
12.2 Waste Identification and Management 
     12.2.1 Source Reduction and Waste Minimization 
          12.2.1.1 Practices
          12.2.1.2 Specific Examples 
     12.2.2 General Waste
     12.2.3 Special Management Waste 
          12.2.3.1 Domestic Sewage and Wastewater 
          12.2.3.2 Tires 
          12.2.3.3 Drill Rig Waste
          12.2.3.4 Other Wastewater
      12.2.4 Hazardous Waste
          12.2.4.1 Hazardous Waste Identification
          12.2.4.2 Storage and Handling
          12.2.4.3 Used Petroleum Products 
          12.2.4.4 Used Antifreeze
          12.2.4.5 Treatment
          12.2.4.6 Transportation
          12.2.4.7 Off-Site Management
          12.2.4.8 On-site Waste Management Facilities

Introduction

Waste includes those materials that are discarded, or are intended to be discarded.

This section addresses the issue of waste management with the goal of leaving as light a footprint as possible in an exploration program. It describes the various categories of waste and gives guidance in assessing the management and disposal options that are available.

All waste disposal activities require a permit from the local authorities, whether on-site or off-site. This may be issued by the Mines Department, the Environment Department or the local municipal government, and will vary from country to country (or even within countries).

Guidelines for Radiation Protection During Exploration for Uranium

Table of Contents

13.0 Guidelines for Radiation Protection during Exploration for Uranium 
13.1 Uranium and Radioactivity
     13.1.2 Radiation Basics 
     13.1.2 Properties of Uranium
     13.1.3 Geological and Climatic Conditions
13.2 Exposure Limits
13.3 Radiation Measurement Instrumentation
13.4 Radiation Hazards during Exploration
13.5 Radiation Protection Principles
     13.5.1 Protection from External Exposure to Gamma Radiation
     13.5.2 Protection from Internal Radiation (Contamination Control)
13.6 Radiation Protection Program 
     13.6.1 Responsibilities 
     13.6.2 Personnel Training Requirements
     13.6.3 Personnel Dosimetry Requirements
     13.6.4 External Gamma Radiation
     13.6.5 Contamination Control Procedures
          13.6.5.1 Contamination Monitoring of Contamination Control Zones
          13.6.5.2 Personnel Monitoring in Work Areas
          13.6.5.3 Personal Protective Equipment
     13.6.6 General Radiation Safety Guidelines 
     13.6.7 Action Levels* 
13.7 Field Protocols
     13.7.1 Exploration Field Protocol 
          13.7.1.1 Change Facilities and Camp Dining Area Monitoring Program
     13.7.2 Drill Personnel Protocol 
          13.7.2.1 Drill Site Environmental Protection Protocol
     13.7.3 Core Shack Facilities Protocol 
     13.7.4 Core Logging and Splitting Protocol
13.8 Handling and Transportation of Radioactive Samples
     13.8.1 Handling Samples
     13.8.2 Shipping Requirements
     13.8.3 Packaging Samples for Shipment Protocol 
     13.8.4 Transportation of Samples 
     13.8.5 Emergency Measures 
13.9 Glossary of Acronyms
13.10 References and Links*

Introduction

These DRE Guidelines for Radiation Protection during Exploration for Uranium have been developed to assist exploration companies protect employees and others from radiation while exploring for uranium. The PDAC hopes that these Guidelines will prove useful to exploration companies in the creation or refinement of their own corporate guidelines. 

The Guidelines are intended to be a living document, updated and expanded as new information becomes available. To keep these Guidelines as current as possible, the PDAC welcomes comments and suggestions, particularly regarding website resources to be added to the References and Links section. These Guidelines have been prepared in Canada and, as a result largely reflect conditions and situations found in that country. The PDAC welcomes contributions from DRE users who can provide new content from other regions of the world.

Table of Contents

14.1 Principles of Reclamation
     14.1.1 Objectives of Reclamation 
     14.1.2 Commitment to Reclamation
     14.1.3 Cooperation in Reclamation 
14.2 Planning and Timing 
     14.2.1 Reclamation Plan
     14.2.2 Timing
14.3 Site Preparation
14.4 Landforms, Stability, and Land Use 
     14.4.1 Legal Requirements
     14.4.2 Climate
     14.4.3 Topography
     14.4.4 Soils 
     14.4.5 Community Views 
14.5 Soil Conservation
     14.5.1 Soil Handling
     14.5.2 Tillage 
          14.5.2.1 Winged Subsoilers
          14.5.2.2 Excavators
          14.5.2.3 Other Equipment 
     14.5.3 Soil Adjuncts and Fertilizers
          14.5.3.1 Organic Soil Adjuncts 
          14.5.3.2 Chemical Fertilizers
          14.5.3.3 Mulches
14.6 Revegetation
     14.6.1 Revegetation Strategies and Techniques
     14.6.2 Species Selection
          14.6.2.1 Grasses and Legumes
          14.6.2.2 Shrubs
          14.6.2.3 Trees
          14.6.2.4 Natural Regrowth
          14.6.2.5 Regrowth Planning
          14.6.2.6 Regrowth Management
     14.6.3 Seeding 
          14.6.3.1 Seed Mixes
          14.6.3.2 Seed Application Methods
          14.6.3.3 Dry Seeding
     14.6.4 Cuttings, Seedlings and Transplanting
     14.6.5 Bioengineering Techniques
     14.6.6 Documentation
14.7 Bond Requirements 
14.8 Monitoring Inspections

Introduction

The role of reclamation and closure in any mineral exploration project can be regarded as the final chapter in the life of that project. When the exploration project develops further into a feasibility study or a full-scale mining operation, however, then the reclamation process undertaken at the exploration stage becomes the first step in the final rehabilitation of the mine.

Table of Contents

15.1 Camp Site Check List
15.2 Trenching Check List 
15.3 Drill Site Check List 
15.4 Stream Crossing Check List

Introduction

The following check lists are intended to serve as templates that can be customized for corporate purposes, for specific jurisdictions and for specific geographical areas. 

We stress that these templates have been intentionally composed to be as generic as possible and may require revision to conform to your corporate guidelines and legal requirements. They are not intended in any way to supersede local regulations. 

Table of Contents

16.1 Drilling from Lake Ice
16.2 Drilling in Environmentally Sensitive Tropical Areas
16.3 Value of EES in Permitting - A Case History from Brazil by Noranda/Falconbridge 
16.4 Reclamation of Steep Slope Access Roads - A Case History from AngloGold 
16.5 Community Engagement during Exploration in Brazil - A Case History from Gold Fields 

Introduction

The following case histories have been selected from submissions from EES users. They demonstrate the usefulness of the best practices outlined within the EES database and, in some cases, expand upon these practices. As always, we encourage users to submit additional case histories.