A new reference guide is raising the bar for sustainable mining in Australia and overseas.
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today launched A Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining at the Australian Centre for Sustainable Mining Practices, which builds on the internationally successful Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining series.
The new guide draws together the major lessons of the leading practice handbooks and case studies from around the world in a single reference point for mine managers, senior operating personnel at mine sites, consultants, regulators and others involved in implementing practical and sustainable mining solutions.
“As a world leader in resource development it is fitting that Australia is also at the forefront of developing best practice when it comes to mine sustainability,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The 14 handbooks produced to date have made a practical contribution to improving mining practices both here and around the world with over 100,000 copies being distributed to date.
“They have been translated and used as reference material in workshops and conferences as far afield as Afghanistan, Botswana, Ghana, Iceland, Iraq, Mongolia, Peru, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
“This latest publication, as with the earlier handbooks, integrates environmental, economic and social aspects through all phases of mineral production drawing on expertise from government, industry, academia and non-government organisations.
“The continued success of the mining industry depends on maintaining a social licence to operate. Environmental and social sustainability is key to achieving this and requires flexible and innovative leading practice.
“The new guide is an important tool for implementing world’s best practice and demonstrates that Australia really does set the international benchmark on mine sustainability.”
The Guide to Leading Practice Sustainable Development in Mining will feature at this year’s Africa Down Under Conference commencing in Perth today and will also be used by Australia’s four major mining schools for their third-year courses on socio-environmental aspects of mining which begin in March 2012.
The handbooks are at www.ret.gov.au/sdmining or by email at sdmining@ret.gov.au