FINEX 2008

Environment & Exploration:New Codes and New Attitudes

by Fergus Anckorn

(A VERY brief) History of Environmental Management

Environmental Impacts of exploration

Regulations and Guidance

Impact Mitigation Measures

Community Awareness

NGOs

What we will cover

HEALTH AND SAFETY – AND SECURITY???

•Do you have a risk assessment?

•Do you have a plan to minimise risk?

•Are exploration staff trained?

History of Environmental Management & Mining

Mining Acts that were aimed to protect property rights of other land users

Extension of those Acts to accommodate the new health and safety Acts introduced in the 19th and 20th centuries (water and air)

Increasing environmental awareness commencing in the 1980s with the Bruntland Commission Report on sustainable development

Demands by governments, communities, shareholders, NGOs and funding agencies for improved environmental management

And into the 21st Century - Greater awareness of the need to address social/community issues

The Modern Mining Industry’s Driving Axiom

• Mining has as much to do with achieving public and potential shareholder’s confidence as it does with exploration and exploitation of mineral resources

Environmental Impacts of Exploration

Air quality

Surface water and groundwater

Soils and land use

Wildlife

Noise

Visual impacts

Cultural Heritage

Socio-economic impacts

Exploration impacts

Regulations & Guidance

Mining Acts Exploration permit conditions Environmental protection legislation

– Air quality

– Water

– Soils

– Wildlife

World Bank/IFC guidance and performance standards International Council on Mining & Metals Country-based guidance Association guidance – eg PDAC Company codes

Environmental management guidance for exploration

Impact Mitigation Measures

Research permit conditions, environmental legislation, environmental codes, etc;

Scope potential impacts – environmental and community sensitivities?

Consultation with affected stakeholders

Minimise exploration footprint

Provision for appropriate containment of fuels, etc;

Spill contingency measures;

Stakeholder liaison;

Site clean-up and restoration/after-care

Low footprintExploration

Community awareness (PDAC guidance)

Exploration provides first contact

“Phoney mine” danger

– Expectations created

– Promises made

Preconditions attitudes to eventual mining

Reduced risk of social conflict

and attendant delays.

Faster permitting and

approvals.

Reduced risk of criticism and

interference from outside parties.

More effective use of corporate resources (particularly community relations and community development budgets).

Dealing with communities Why?

Who do we talk to? What is the structure and organization of the community (or communities) to be engaged? When do we talk? Before or after what event or activity? What do we talk about? What can be said? How do we talk? What are the cultural characteristics of the community (or communities) to

be engaged? What is the capacity of our company to participate in this process? What is our ability, credibility, and confidence? Where do we find assistance? What is the capacity of the community to participate in this process? Do community members have the ability, experience, organization, and

access to support in order to deal with this situation?  Where can assistance be found to support the community?

Dealing with communities How?

Respect. Respect for all parties Honesty. Full, true and plain disclosure

of information. Inclusion. Ensuring that the process is inclusive, that all parties who

should be present are indeed present. Transparency. Establishing and maintaining complete transparency in

all aspects of the process. Communication. Listening to the community as well as talking with its

members. You should also be Sensitive to local cultural norms, and modify the engagement process

to accommodate these norms. Creating realistic expectations on all sides. Starting early, thereby allowing time for learning, understanding and

getting to know each other.

Dealing with communities Principles

When things go wrong……………….

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 1

Raising environmental awareness

Assisting to identify issues

Whistle-blowing

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 2

Obfuscation and delays

Taking political stances

Providing a tool for the corrupt

and the unscrupulous

No proper accountability

Push-back?

Summary

You are the first contact with the host community

What you do matters There is a LOT of guidance and help

available Do your homework on environmental

and social sensitivity Have a plan to deal with the

environment and communities and revise it as experience is gained

H&S – and Security management? Consult before, during and after

THE END!