Mining Sustainability Working Group

Reclamation program consists in mitigate environmental impacts by re-establishing the capability of the affected areas. The reclamation process deals with water and air quality, erosion, disturbance of wildlife and aquatic habitats and, as the last phase the mining cycle, reclamation generally includes replacement of soil and revegetation. The BC mining plan (2007), published by The Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources of British Columbia, states that although the reclamation phase is the last step in the mining process, “reclamation of sites begins during operations and continues after closure until the land is once again productive”.

It seems there is in place an adequate regulation to deal with the environmental aspects of closure. However, I understand the process of closure as more complex than the environmental / technical aspects, such as recovering the land to make it once again productive.

During the mine operation it is clear that local communities benefit from socio-economic development brought by the company. Job creation and development of local businesses are the primary results of mining operations. However, when the mine is gone this scenario is drastically changed. Communities face a shortage of jobs impacting the local economic activities. Thus, there are negative impacts on their living standards and several other economic and social impacts.

I am wondering what is the role of the mining industry in this context and how the closure phase could address these social and economic impacts. Also I ponder on the role of the government. What is its responsibility?

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