Capacity needs for managing mining impacts on rivers

Neil McIntyre1, Alan Woodley1,2, Natasha Danoucaras1, Neil Coles3

1. Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland2. School of Computing Science and Electrical Engineering, Queensland University of Technology 3. School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering, The University of Western Australia

IM4DC AchievementsSUCCESSFUL TRAINING OUTCOMES

SUCCESSFUL TRAINING OUTCOMES

October 2011 to February 2014

IM4DC deliveryGLOBAL CAPACITY-BUILDING OUTPUTS 2012-2015

GLOBAL CAPACITY-BUILDING OUTPUTS 2012-2015

2749participants from 65 developing countries

16109 102 participant short courses training days

30.4% 1700+ 66

female participation in mining & development action research

alumni network projects

Mining and rivers

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-01-27/mcarthur-river-mine/310684

Mining and healthy economies

www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=pe&v=69

IMF, World Economic Outlook, 2014

Pressure for rapid development

Area of new mining claims in Peru

1M

2M

3M

4M

1990 1999 2008

Hec

tare

s

From: Bebbington and Bury 2009. Institutional challenges for mining and sustainability in Peru www.pnas.org/cgi/doi10.1073/pnas.0906057106 From: Cane, I. Schleger, A. Ali, S. Kemp, D. McIntyre, N. McKenna, P. Lechner, A.

Dalaibuyan, B. Lahiri-Dutt, K. and Bulovic, N. (2015). Responsible Mining in Mongolia: Enhancing Positive Engagement. Sustainable Minerals Institute: Brisbane

Poorly regulated mines, illegal mines and conflicts with traditional land and water uses

IM4DC water projects and their participants

Projects:

• Literature review

• 3-week knowledge exchange event (Philippines, Mongolia, Indonesia, Ghana, Zambia, Peru)

• Summer school (Colombia)

• River ecosystem workshop (Peru)

• Pilot of Social Water Assessment Protocol (Ghana)

Participants:

• Mining companies

• Governments (politicians, regulators, scientists)

• University staff & consultants

• NGOs

• Communities

• Undergraduate and postgraduate students

Conclusions and recommendations

Research and advanced education staff• Lack of staff who have had substantial exposure to good

practice and with high-level expertise• Need investment in exchanges where staff can be embedded

in suitable working environments

Conclusions and recommendations

University students• Baseline skills and knowledge acquired in relevant university

courses; but mining poses particular river management problems • Graduates do not have balanced view of mining: Need

modules embedded in engineering and environmental courses

Conclusions and recommendations

Mine company staff • Limited understanding of interactions with catchment; limited

stewardship culture• More effective communication with communities and

understanding the values attached to water

Conclusions and recommendations

Policy makers and regulators • Good knowledge of the generic water issues• Training priorities relate to implementing regulations;

disseminating knowledge of risks and technological solutions to communities and miners; and building frameworks for cooperative agreements between mining and other water stakeholders

Conclusions and recommendations

Community representatives • Community need to understand water risks and opportunities

from mining; and negotiation skills• Small-scale mining communities needs to be informed about

low-cost technological solutions that prevent erosion and pollution

Concluding messages

• Healthy rivers - healthy economies is possible in mining regions if good practice is implemented

• Stakeholders need to know what mining projects can and should achieve by applying good practice

• Governments in emerging mining regions need to develop capacity to effectively regulate

• Mining industry needs to develop its land and water stewardship culture and capacity to act

n.mcintyre@uq.edu.au

Acknowledgements This project was funded by the International Mining for Development Centre (IM4DC). The IM4DC has been established as a joint venture between The University of Western Australia and The University of Queensland, with grant funding from the Australian Government