SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Growing Popularity of SustainableMine ReclamationCompanies may reap potential rewards by considering the Triple Bottom Linebusiness model, which bolsters sustainabiiity through financial prosperity,environmental stewardship and social responsibilityBy Wendy Schlett

The concept of sustainability continuesto gain traction in every industry, includ-ing mining. Even though mining typical-ly brings up ideas that conflict with thetenets of sustainability, specificallyextracting non-renewable resourcesfrom the earth, it is becoming more andmore possible to reconcile the two.

Sustainable mine reclamation en-sures that the surface of the earth isnot left to rejuvenate itself, therebymitigating potentially contaminatedand unusable land that previously layfallow for ages by past mining reclama-tion practices. Now, new uses for minedland are being considered before min-ing even commences, and more oppor-tunities and emphases are being placedon thinking about these future useswith sustainability in mind.

Sustainable practices are growing inpopularity, and not just for altruistic

reasons. While these practices incorpo-rate the pace of a growing populationthat is informed and active in ensuringa thoughtful and careful approach tonatural resources, they can also simplybe more practical and fiscally sensible.

Simple PrincipleThis aspect of sustainability is oftenunrecognized, but in fact the definitionof sustainability is much more pragmat-ic. The concept of sustainability is notbased on uncompromising idealism thatrequires the land to be left untouchedby humans. In fact, the United StatesEnvironmental Protection Agency de-scribes sustainability as "based on asimple principle: Everything we needfor our survival and well-being depends,either directly or indirectly, on our nat-ural environment. Sustainability createsand maintains the conditions under

An option for reclaiming mined land sustainably is by creating a wetland bank. This could qualify the land to gen-erate wetlands credits. In this scenario, a pre-appro«ed wetland bank would allow mine operators to secure wet-land mitigation credits for developments that impact wetlands in other locations.

which humans and nature can exist inproductive harmony, that permit fulf i l l -ing the social, economic and otherrequirements of present and future gen-erations. Sustainability is important tomaking sure that we have and will con-tinue to have, the water, materials andresources to protect human health andour environment."

A new business model, commonlyknown as the Triple Bottom Line, hasevolved from the sustainability effortspursued by progressive companies thatfocus on technology, information andnew forms of value creation. The TripleBottom Line incorporates the three pil-lars of sustainability—financial pros-perity, environmental stewardship andsocial responsibility—and in this modelthese pillars work together to simulta-neously influence business decisions.

By paying attention to the TripleBottom Line, organizations can effectpositive change that includes enhancedpublic support, increased profitability,reduced and better controlled risk,minimized environmental impact, in-creased brand value and reputation,and overall improved global standing tooperate and grow. Given all of thesepositive outcomes, it stands to reasonthat sustainable business models aregrowing in popularity.

Once it is understood that sustain-able practices work to meet severalgoals, it becomes easier to recommendand implement such practices. Minereclamation can and should be re-examined from a sustainability frame-work. Especially given the current eco-nomic climate that has effectively nar-rowed the possibilities for viable minereclamation projects, incorporating sus-tainable practices in mine reclamationwill offer mineral producers financial,environmental and social benefits.

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SUSíAiNABLt ütVtLOPMENT

While not always possible, greaterefficiencies can be realized if mineoperators think about the reclamationprocess before mining even begins.This allows for the possibilities of re-using certain materials and doublingpositive outcomes. Understanding thenatural footprint of the land to bemined is also helpful toward achievingsustainability goals—by being morerealistic about what the land can andcannot accomplish once it is minedwill help to keep costs low and overallproduction and post-production effortsless arduous.

Identifying Specific NeedsIn this line of thought, it makes sensethat there is a movement within sustain-able mine reclamation to return the landto something not unlike its former self,rather than attempting to create some-thing brand new and unrecognizable. Inmany cases, this can be achieved byworking in concert with the local com-munity to determine what their needsmight be, and then repurposing themined site to meet those needs.

As an example, the communitysurrounding a mined site may identifya new neighborhood park as a localneed. By knowing this at the outsetof developing and/or reclaiming themined land, the organization and thecommunity can work together harmo-niously to determine the vision andpotential limitations of the project.Other options a community might con-sider as helpful alternatives to a formermined site could include a water reser-voir, viable industrial park, publicrecreational trails through a reforestedarea, or a similar project. For a mineralproducer that can develop a positiverelationship with the community inwhich it operates, and can identify aproject that mutually benefits thatcommunity as well as the producer,more benefits abound. Good will and areputation for social responsibility go along way toward company growth andmarket advantage.

In addition to partnering with thelocal community, non-profit organiza-tions should be considered, as theyoffer resources toward sustainable minereclamation projects as well. Workingwith groups such as The WildlifeFederation, The U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, The Nature Conservancy and

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Afforestation or reforestation of a mining area are both specific types of carbon offset projects well-suited for sus-tainably reclaiming mined areas.

other federal, state or local nongovern-mental agencies can help identify thebest possible end use for the reclaimed

mine—whether that be the creation ofhabitats that encourage biologicaldiversity, endangered wildlife protec-

tion, or an ecosystem that fosters thegrowth of local but rare plant species.These organizations can offer planningand expertise, and can also help withproviding volunteer labor.

Additionally, partnerships betweenmine operators and nongovernmentalorganizations can provide economicallypositive outcomes. These partner organ-izations offer grant funding and tax orimpact mitigation credits and incentiveknowledge that can help make a sus-tainable mine reclamation project thatmuch more financially feasible.

In addition to the options alreadymentioned, another option for reclaim-ing mined land sustainably is by creat-ing a wetland bank. This could qualifythe land to generate wetlands credits.In this scenario, a pre-approved wet-land bank would allow developersand/or mine operators to secure wet-land mitigation credits for develop-ments that impact wetlands in otherlocations. The credits finance thedevelopment and maintenance of thesustainably reclaimed mine as a wet-land bank. Once established, the wet-land bank could then be donated to a

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

non-profit organization such as the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, orthe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forlong-term maintenance and operation.

Carbon-offset opportunities are ano-ther sustainable end-use in the recla-mation of mined land. Carbon offsetsreduce carbon dioxide or other green-house gas emissions in a balancing actto compensate for a carbon emissionmade elsewhere. Companies, govern-ments and other organizations thatneed to comply with carbon dioxidecaps make up one of the markets forcarbon offsets. Companies, govern-ments and individuals can also pur-chase carbon offsets to offset their owngreenhouse gas emissions that resultfrom everyday activities.

Afforestation and reforestation of amining area are both specific types ofcarbon offset projects well-suited forsustainably reclaiming mined areas. Inaddition to the environmental benefitsthese projects produce—improved airand water quality, reduced soil erosion,and a generally lessened impact ofglobal warming through carbon stor-

age—afforestation or reforestation proj-ects can also offer new jobs, newstreams of revenue, and improved localeconomies.

In one example, abandoned andpreviously reclaimed coai mines in theAppalachian region were reforestedthrough a project that brought togetherthe University of Kentucky, the U.S.Forest Service and the Office of Sur-face Mining and Reclamation Enforce-ment. These sites proved excellentlocales for enhanced terrestrial carbonsequestration.

Financial RewardsSustainably reclaiming a mine can alsobenefit mine producers financiallythrough their eligibility for other taxcredits (especially the Brownfields taxcredit), and through an increased valueof the land. In one example, by trans-forming the land into an ecologicallandscape that promotes long-termpreservation through land restrictionand charitable donation, the land qual-ifies for a tax credit that can offset cor-porate profits. This type of project willalso positively restore the land's ecosys-

tem, which will in turn increase theoverall value of the land. If the land isthen donated to the local community ora charitable organization, a higher taxcredit for the land could be realized.

With the multitude of possibilitiesavailable toward reclaiming minedlands sustainably, it is no wonder thatsustainable mine reclamation is grow-ing in popularity. Sustainable minereclamation projects allow a mine pro-ducer to develop something new andworthwhile, that supports the organiza-tion's goals and the betterment of thecommunity in which they operate.Sustainable mine reclamation projectsalso create financial prosperity, envi-ronmental stewardship, and social ben-efits—thereby creating a positive TripleBottom Line for the producer, the com-munity and the environment.

Wendy Schlett is a project manager forSustainability, Environmental ManagementSystems and Environmental RegulatoryCompliance at GZA GeoEnvironmental,Inc. (wNw.gza.com). For more information,contact Ms. Schlett at 616-956-6123 orby email: wendy.schlett@gza.com.

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