NMA introduces new environmental management system

By Minerals Make Life on October 1, 2012 in Good Neighbor, Innovation

The availability of a new tool to aid hardrock mining operations with managing environmental performance was announced recently by National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn and Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) Executive Director David Kanagy.

Jointly developed by a team of environmental professionals drawn from each group’s membership, The Hardrock Mining and Beneficiation Environmental Management System Guide will follow a “plan-do-check-act” continual improvement process for managing environmental performance. The guide highlights typical environmental aspects and potential impacts for hardrock mining and beneficiation operations that may be addressed in a company’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and provides specific tools and examples to assist a company with implementation.

The guide is specifically designed for small- to medium-sized operators and employees of the hardrock mining sector planning to implement an EMS for their facility or company. The guide will help them get started and avoid common pitfalls and unnecessary costs.

The guide aims to reduce adverse impacts to the environment, improve environmental stewardship and continually improve environmental performance. Additionally, operations may also find EMS reduces costs and risks, while improving reputation and access to markets.

Click here to download and view the guide in its entirety.