MINING IMPACTS

Mining can bring many benefits and opportunities. It can cause many impactsImpacts: the effect or impression of one thing on another such as the impact of a mining project on the life of an Aboriginal community. as well, socially, culturally, and environmentally. A community must be aware of these possibilities while negotiating with a mining company. It is important for the agreementAgreement: any explicit, signed document that is negotiated and includes mutual concessions or limitations placed on both sides. Examples are Negotiation AgreementsNegotiation Agreement: an early agreement in the mining process, likely to occur in the Exploration Stage, which would outline the basis of the relationship between the Aboriginal group and the mining company and how the relationship will evolve if the mine moves forward. , Exploration Cooperation Benefit Agreements, Socio-Economic Participation Agreements. to reduce the damage from mining, and to compensate the community for impacts that are unavoidable.

Stages 1-4 Impacts

Impacts can occur even at the Exploration StageExploration Stage: the whole range of activity from searching for and developing mineralMineral: A naturally-occurring, homogeneous substance that has a definite chemical composition and (usually) a crystalline structure. deposits.. Exploration camps may remain in place for a number of years. Planes and helicopters come in and bring supplies. Once drillingDrilling: the primary means of bringing rock samples to the surface. Often called “diamond drilling” since the bit used is made of diamond. Drilling is a major expense, costing $50 or more per metre. starts, more machinery and people arrive in the area. However, compared to construction and mine operation, impacts at this early stage are minimal.

During the Construction StageConstruction Stage: the stage in which all facilities, buildings, roads etc. necessary for the operation of a mine are built., roads, site preparation, buildings, waste management installations, and transmission lines can all have a much more serious impact. So can the sudden and large influx of outsiders.

Job and business opportunities during construction are many. (See “Construction Stage,” p. 2-25.) The community members who have more skills can earn high incomes. This can create tension with neighbours. Traditional seasonal lifestyles, schooling, and time spent with family can be affected. Alcohol and drug problems can sometimes get worse. Construction may also alter archaeological and heritage sites, traditional and non-traditional land use, water flow, water quality, and fisheries.

The impacts of the Operation StageOperation Stage: stage in mining in which the metal or mineral is extracted from the ground and processed on site or off-site. of mining are similar to those of the Construction Stage. Dust and emissions may cause a fall in air quality as well. The difference is that the Operation Stage is likely to last much longer. Impact on water systems vital to Aboriginal livelihoods may also occur. If the community does not take action, the impact on its way of life may grow much more serious.

Stage 5 Impacts

Even closure and reclamationClosure and Reclamation Stage: restoration of disturbed and/or mined land to its original contour, use, or condition. have impact. A number of factors can pose a serious risk to the environment of the mine site. Waste rockWaste Rock: barren rock or mineralized material that is too low in gradeGrade: the quantity and quality of metals, diamonds or other minerals. to be economically processed. piles and mining slopes can become unstable. The structures that contain mine tailingsTailings: waste material from an ore processing mill, the leftovers after most of the valuable minerals have been extracted. can leak. Acids and metalsMetals: one of more than a 100 basic earth elements, grouped under minerals. Includes iron, lead, zinc, and copper. can leach out into the surrounding soil.

The social impacts of closure and reclamation are the reverse of the ones experienced earlier. Work hours and the number of jobs decline. The skills acquired from training and employment can fall into disuse or lead to community members moving away to get other jobs. The fall in population and the closure of government-funded services can reduce community capacity and social services. The return to a traditional lifestyle can be surprisingly difficult. This is especially the case if the mine has been going for many years and people have not lived traditionally during that time.

These are possibilities for which a community needs to prepare well in advance. It will need to find new resources to support social services. It will have to create employment opportunities for people who have lost their jobs. It must seek out new business partners who will see the advantages of the area’s quality workforce and infrastructureInfrastructure: the basic facilities, equipment, roads, transmission lines, sewage, water, and other installations needed to support the functioning of a mine..