72 / 92
72
characteristic red, orange or yellow sediments, USGS 2016). As a
consequence, the natural drainage water that flows on and below
the surface becomes acidic and can dissolve heavy metals, such
as copper, lead, zinc, cadmium and mercury that occur in the
rocks and tailings. The contaminated ground and surface water
makes its way into downstreamwaterbodies and both the acidity
and dissolved metals can have serious downstream impacts on
people and ecosystems.
Regulations and frameworks for mining waste
Management of mining waste has improved over the years as a
result of regulatory and legislative pressures (Peck et al., 2005).
After several incidents and severe accidents in both developed
and developing countries, governments and international
organisations decided to build a technical framework for mining
activities. Countries, international organisations and agencies
have drafted technical documents related to best practices for
the mining industry (mainly for the management of mining
waste). The challenge ahead is to make mining companies liable
for the post mining period.
The level of mining industry compliance to regulatory norms
depends on several factors, including:
• presence of a legislative and regulatory framework (which can
include “self-regulation) by companies themselves
• existence of an efficient enforcement system
• pressures from the civil society (such as affected communities)
The existence of a coherent legislative and regulatory framework
within a country is a necessary condition but it is not sufficient
to ensure environmentally sound waste management and health
and safety systems. Guidelines might be helpful but do not
guarantee that the mining company will observe them during
the life cycle of the mine.
It is important that an enforcement system is in place to
ensure that industry complies with the national regulations.
Participation of civil society in the permitting process also can be
helpful for the identification of some potential non-compliance
problems which could remove them from the early stages of
the activity. Civil society pressure can also be a driver for self-
regulation, where an industry establishes codes of practice,
enforcement or other mechanisms for regulating itself.
Accidents can happen even if a company is observing all
regulatory and guiding technical norms, but if the activity
was not properly designed and operated (waste management
planning and operation, health and safety observed) sooner
or later the accidents would appear. Unfortunately, these
accidents cause serious environment damage and can lead to
the loss of human lives.