| EnviroGulf Consulting |  |
|---|---|---|
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS | ||
A Links Group Company |
SITE MENU |
GOVERNMENT LINKS |
NT Department of Mines and Energy
Department of Primary Industry and Energy
Australian Geodynamics Cooperative Research Centre - AGCRC
Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO)
Australian Mining Industry Research Association
ISO 14000 |
INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS |
Australian Mineral Industries Research Association Ltd (AMIRA)
Association of Mining and Exploration Companies
AUSTRALIAN MINING COMPANIES |
Kingsgate Consolidated Limited
An Australian gold mining and exploration company operating a modern gold mine and developing mineral resources in Thailand.
INTERNATIONAL MINING COMPANIES |
MINING & ISO 14000 |
Mining and Environmental Management Systems
EGC provides advice and guidance on implementing an environmental management system (EMS) based on the ISO 14001 Standard. EGC offers a mining sector-specific EMS implementation help and guidance service.
Some mining companies conduct their environmental management planning either solely in response to regulatory requirements or to address their main environmental issues, but tend to address environmental problems on an ad hoc basis as they arise (reactive approach). However, EGC's proactive approach to EMSs allows systematic identification and prioritisation of environmental aspects and impacts, including those not regulated, and also allows greater consideration of off-specification or upset conditions that may arise at a mining facility by promoting emergency preparedness and dry-run tests of potential upset conditions.
In general, mining operations that have implemented either a formal (with ISO 14001 certification) or informal (without formal certification or self-declared) EMS have found real and valuable benefits. Positive outcomes in terms of improved environmental performance, assured legal compliance and energy and material efficiencies can be expected by EMS implementation. A sound EMS also helps a mining company to identify its responsibilities beyond simple compliance.
An effective EMS formally defines and puts into place the structure, practices, procedures, processes and resources necessary to ensure sustained regulatory compliance and continuous improvement in environmental performance. Channels of communication, skills, knowledge and attitude are all improved in mining companies that adopt and implement an EMS. An effective EMS may also be viewed as means of improving upon and integrating existing environmental management practices and/or programs.
Finally, a sound EMS can enhance a mining company's image and provide assurance to a mining company's board of directors, stockholders and other stakeholders (regulatory authorities, environmental agencies, and the public) that the company will continue to meet regulatory compliance requirements and is prepared to improve its overall environmental performance.
Benefits of EMS Implementation
EMS implementation allows a mining company to anticipate the changing expectations of the public as well as constant changes in environmental laws and regulations. An effective EMS adopts new ways of providing continuous improvement in a mining company's efforts to manage environmental compliance and performance.
Any mining company faced with the decision of whether or not to implement an informal EMS or a formal ISO 14001-based EMS must estimate the potential benefits and costs. Accurately predicting the actual benefits and costs can be quite difficult. The benefits and costs relate directly to the size of a mining company and/or facility and the environmental impacts of its activities. An equally important factor is the extent to which a mining company and/or facility already has the elements of an informal EMS or ISO 14001 EMS in place.
Typical benefits of an effective EMS:
- An EMS consistent with the elements of ISO 14001 Standard demonstrates that a mining company operates a management system that meets internationally accepted and measurable standards of quality.
- An effective EMS reduces environmental risk and liability.
- An effective EMS provides a mining company with the ability to benchmark and measure progress using consistent methods.
- An effective EMS allows a mining company not only to practise sound environmental management but also allows the ability to prove that they are actually achieving it.
- Continued improvement of progressive environmental management at a mining site and/or facility will tend to reap bottom line benefits, indicating that an EMS is effective.
- Enhanced and/or sustained environmental regulatory compliance. While most mining companies generally have good systems to manage compliance, enhanced regulatory compliance commonly accompanies EMS implementation.
- Improved documentation and procedures.
- Environmental management cost-savings.
- Enhanced awareness of environmental issues among staff. Mine staff are given enhanced roles in environmental management.
- Improved staff morale as well as improved operations.
- Enhanced spirit of cooperation because staff from different mining departments interact and have a common goal.
- Finally, possible ISO 14001 registration. Many believe that ISO 14001 registration may become a de facto requirement in international markets. Registration is seen by some mining companies as a direct way of demonstrating environmental performance to stakeholders, such as regulatory authorities, insurance companies and community groups.
Consulting Services
EGC's consulting services provide guidance and support to mine management in the design, planning and implementation of an effective EMS that is tailored to the management structure, style and culture, the operations, and the particular environmental issues and concerns at a mining site and/or facility.
EGC encourages mining companies to move 'beyond regulatory compliance' through continual improvement and pollution prevention by identifying environmental impacts and setting objectives to address them, within an appropriate timeframe.
Typical Services:
- EGC provides an independent assessment of a mining site and/or facility's existing EMS, environmental program and/or environmental management practices. In general, mining companies have strengths in the areas of environmental policy, management support and provision of resources but tend to be weak in areas, such as environmental aspects identification, EMS documentation and document control.
- EGC builds on existing environmental management practices at a mining site and/or facility, which provides the foundation to further develop and implement an effective EMS.
- EGC uses the framework of the ISO 14001 Standard as a minimum template for an EMS.
- EGC will assess what environmental management practices conform to the framework elements of the ISO 14001 Standard (conformance or gap analysis).
- EGC provides guidance on environmental aspects and significance evaluation by explaining concepts and undertaking environmental reviews and audits.
- Clarification of the intent of an ISO 14001 Standard EMS.
- Checklist and other tools to undertake an EMS self-assessment and conformity assessment (gap analysis).
- Guidance on how to identify and assess significant environmental aspects and impacts.
- Step-by-step EMS implementation guide.
- Examples of EMS manuals, policies and procedures.
- EMS implementation case studies.
Relevant Experience
The Principal of EGC has recently undertaken a self-education study of mining-sector specific EMSs and the ISO 14001 Standard for relevance to the mining and minerals industry.
A database of 32 companies implementing ISO 14001-based EMSs and their experience was analysed by EGC to gain an in-depth understanding of successful EMS implementation.
The Principal of EGC is experienced in identifying environmental aspects and impacts and has a long history of environmental impact assessment in the mining industry (see Principal's CV for details).