You are on page 1of 4

GUIDEBOOK FOR EVALUATING EIA

Pgs. 25-60.

III. REVIEWING A TYPICAL EIA FOR A MINING PROJECT

The main purpose of an EIA is to provide clear and impartial information


about a projects potential environmental and social impacts.

3.1. EVALUATING THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Contains a CONCISE PRESENTATION of the MOST SIGNIFICANT


ISSUES/RELATED MATERIAL in the body of the EIA.
Need NOT include serious environmental and social impacts.

3.2 EVALUATING THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Description of the proposed mining project (True environmental and social


impacts)
Alternative ways to undertake the project through the LEAST
ENVIRONMENTALLY-DAMAGING PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVES
The alternatives must be beneficial with less serious impact than others
The Project Alternatives is ADEQUATE if it includes:
o An analysis of project alternatives
o A no-project alternative
o An analysis whether the method is the LEAST environmentallydamaging practical alternative
o Location of the least-environmentally-damaging practical
alternative
o Proof that the proposed method is the least environmentallydamaging practical alternative
o Proposal to dewater tailings and disposal of waste as backfill for
mined areas
Three main alternatives for disposal of tailings:
o Use of wet tailings impoundment facility
o Dewatering and disposal of dry tailings as paste backfill
o Release of tailings into the deep sea
If the EIA does NOT propose dry tailings disposal (the most
environmentally-preferable alternative) then the EIA must demonstrate
why it is not feasible.
An EIA must contain an analysis of the environmental and social impact
of the no action alternative, or if the proposed mining project does not
take place, to understand what benefits might be lost if project fails.

3.3. EVALUATING THE ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE

Indicates the environmental and social conditions that the proposed mining
project may disturb. Must detail existing conditions.
Detailed characterization of the geological environment including the metallic
mineral ore reserve and materials comprising the overburden
The EIA must include the following test results:
o Static Testing
o Kinetic Testing
o Contaminant leaching potential short and long term leach tests
o Identification of contaminants of concern (minerals)
Description of the existing climate including any seismic conditions, or the risk
of having a major earthquake which could damage mine facilities
Description of the existing surface water quality on the location, distribution,
quantity and quality of all water resources that could be affected
Description of existing surface and groundwater quantity
Description of existing air quality conditions to evaluate potential distribution
of air pollutants and their effects in the area of influence. Must include
description of air sampling methods and number and location of methods.
Description of existing soil quality including desk study, fieldwork and
laboratory analysis
Characterization of wildlife including a description of the region, species
maps, relationships, population densities and species distribution.
Characterization of terrestrial species including information about
composition, density, distribution, status as well as effects of human presence
on the ecosystem
Characterization of aquatic species including aquatic plants and invertebrates
with details on abundance and distribution of fisheries of commercial
importance and impact of fishes and breeding grounds
Characterization of habitats critical to ecological processes since preservation
of specific habitats should be a priority.
An EIA must consider and be consistent with national and international
classifications of endangered ecosystems.
An EIA must also include consultations with state natural heritage programs
for a more detailed assessment of flora and fauna of special concern.
Must include a socio-economic baseline data or that socio-economic
environment that will be affected. It must include location of local population,
age composition, quality of life, housing quality and quantity, public safety,
health services, recreation, maps with location and existing land-use patterns,
access to public services and attitude towards the project.

3.4 EVALUATING POTENTIAL AND PREDICTED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

CHECKLISTS - List of special biophysical, social and economic factors that


may be affected by a project.
MATRICES Grid like table identifying interaction between project activities
and environmental characteristics. They organize and quantify the
interactions between human activities and resources of concern.
The EIA should be able to determine impacts on water quality and quantity
and it must predict how much the surface and groundwater baseline levels
would change as a result of contaminants from the mine. If the EIA does not
use an approach predicting water quality, then it lacks essential information in
determining whether the mining project is environmentally acceptable.
FLOW DIAGRAMS Used in order to evaluate the adequacy of predicted
impacts on water quality.
o A mining company should not propose a project that allows formation
of a pit lake. Open pits should be backfilled to create a final surface
that is consistent with the original topography of the area.
o There must be an assessment of the significance of water quality
impacts and an interpretation of environmental and health significance
of the qualitative predictions.
o A thorough assessment of impacts of surface water diversions.
Impacts on AIR QUALITY that is not limited to the mining concession area but
also to a larger region including adjacent lands.
Impacts on global climates including ways a mining project could potentially
affect the global carbon budget.
Impacts on ecological processes that effectively capture the ecosystem
functioning that should be evaluated for adverse effects
Impacts on vegetation and soil quality including quantitative estimates of how
the deposition of contaminated windblown dust could elevate levels of soil
contaminants and impact nearby agricultural activities.
Impacts on wildlife including information on how the aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems and wildlife species would be affected by the mining project.

3.5 SOCIAL IMPACTS

The EIA must include a social impact assessment in relation to changes in


access to and power over local resources; changes in the characteristics of a
population; divergent perceptions between mining company, decision makers
and the people on the economic benefits of mining and lastly, land use.
There must be cost benefit analysis or the social cost of environmental damage
to quality of life
Impacts on public safety, indirect causes, consequences

3.6 EVALUATING PROPOSED MITIGATION MESAURES AND CONTINGENCY


PLANS

The EIA must include measures for the mitigation of mining impacts for the:
o Protection of water resources a comprehensive examination of all
possible measures to avoid grave consequences
o Water management The EIA must demonstrate that it has a
comprehensive and accurate understanding of conditions that determine
the nature of water movement throughout the mine site.
o Management of waste rock dumps
o Management of open pits and pit lake prevention. Mining companies
should not allow a lake to form in an open pit.
o Management of wet tailings impoundments
o Management of leach facilities

You might also like