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Environmental Guidelines - Table 4

MINING AND MILLING

This Table addresses the mining of copper, gold, silver, lead, nickel, zinc and iron through the mine development, operations and closure phases. The volume of solid waste generated, including overburden, wastes and tailings from processing, is one of the main pollution concerns in the mining industry. In certain mines where ores have high sulfur content, drainage from mine workings and waste heaps can become highly acidic and can contain high concentrations of toxic chemicals and dissolved heavy metals that pose a threat to surface water and ground water. Effluent from tailing ponds may contain high concentrations of metals, and surface runoff may carry tailings and other residues. Proper mine closure and reclamation can be costly and depends on adherence to an approved closure plan. 

The international guidelines for metal mining presented in this Table are condensed from World Bank Group guidelines set forth in the Pollution Prevention and Abatement Handbook (PPAH) and applicable World Bank Group Operational Policies. Per Annex D, applications for the development of new mines, large extensions to existing mines, and mining projects located in or impacting a sensitive area require submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (Annex E) describing the environmental effects of the project and measures to mitigate the adverse impacts. 

Further information relative to the guidelines presented in this Table and a description of measures to control emissions and effluents produced by projects in the mining sector are contained in the PPAH of the World Bank Group (1998). The PPAH and the World Bank Group Operational Policies referenced in this Table can be found at: http://www.ifc.org/enviro/EnvSoc/pollution/guidelines.htm. In the case of ambiguity between information in this Table and relevant sections of the PPAH and referenced Operational Policies of the World Bank, the guidelines set forth in the PPAH and referenced Operational Policies, in effect as of December 18, 2003, will prevail for purposes of Ex-Im Bank's review and its determination of a project's compliance with the applicable international guidelines of the World Bank. 

AMBIENT AIR QUALITY
All components of above-ground material handling equipment such as belt conveyors and crushing systems should be covered, and all transfer points should be equipped with a suitable dust collector or other dust suppression measures. Mining and ancillary equipment, including haulers, earth moving and excavating equipment, should be maintained to a condition that minimizes their emission of particulate matter and CO, thereby reducing adverse effects on the regional ambient air quality.

Concentration of contaminants, measured outside the project property boundary, should not exceed the following limits:

WATER QUALITY
The following are guidelines for liquid effluents discharged to surface (receiving) waters from tailings impoundments, mine drainage, sedimentation basins, sewage systems and stormwater drainage. They do not apply to direct discharge of tailings to the marine environment.

For projects with the potential of causing erosion and sedimentation impacts to receiving waters, a plan should be prepared and implemented to ensure that the concentration of suspended solids in discharges from project areas will be controlled to adequately minimize impacts on water quality and aquatic life.

WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Preparation and implementation of a Water Management Plan is encouraged that addresses the needs and effective use of mine water for operations and post-closure as well as measures to minimize acid rock drainage (ARD) generation by reducing disturbed areas and isolating drainage systems. The Plan should set forth measures for the recycling of process waste waters and measures to reduce contaminated discharges to ground and surface waters. 

TAILINGS DISPOSAL
Tailings must be disposed of in a manner that optimizes protection of human safety and the environment. A complete tailings management plan should be in place and implemented. On-land tailings impoundment systems must be designed and constructed in accordance with internationally recognized engineering practices, local seismic conditions, and precipitation conditions. The design of the tailings management system must address post-closure issues including, but not limited to, the geotechnical and geochemical stabilities of the tailings and long-term surface and groundwater management. On-land disposal systems should be designed to isolate acid leachate-generating material from oxidation or percolating water. Leachates from tailings pond must be collected and treated before discharge. Marine discharges of tailings must not have a significant adverse effect on coastal resources. Discharges to fresh water bodies are not acceptable unless the applicant provides thorough documentation regarding: 1) environmental analysis of alternatives, and 2) methods to control negative effects on aquatic resources and downstream users.

If the mining operation involves a series of open pit operations, applicants must evaluate the feasibility of using abandoned open pits for tailings disposal. Tailings should be used as backfill material to the extent feasible in underground mining.

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN:
Applicants are required to prepare and implement an erosion and sediment control plan. The plan should include measures appropriate to the situation to intercept, divert, or otherwise reduce the storm water runoff from exposed soil surfaces, tailings dams, and waste rock dumps. Applicants are encouraged to integrate vegetative and non-vegetative soil stabilization measures in the erosion control plan. Sediment control structures (e.g., detention/retention basins) should be installed to treat surface runoff prior to discharge to surface water bodies. All erosion control and sediment containment facilities must receive proper maintenance during their design life.

MINE RECLAMATION PLAN:
Applicants are required to prepare and implement a Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan to include reclamation of tailings deposits, waste rock dumps, any open pit areas, sedimentation basins, and abandoned mine, mill and the camp sites. The main objectives of mine reclamation plans are:

• Return the land to conditions capable of supporting prior land use or uses that are equal to or better than prior land use, to the extent practical and feasible; and

• Eliminate significant adverse effects on adjacent water resources.

Mine Reclamation Plans should incorporate the following components:

• Salvage, stockpile, and use topsoil for reclamation, to the extent feasible;

• Slopes should be re-contoured to minimize erosion and runoff; slopes of 3h:1v are required unless information provided can demonstrate that for steeper slopes, successful reclamation/re-vegetation can be achieved in consideration of the environmental (climate, soils, existing land use, & aesthetic) conditions present before mining, and those conditions anticipated at mine closure (soil erosion, re-vegetation and ARD seepage potentials, post mining land use, and aesthetics;

• Planting of native species of vegetation and/or other species of vegetation that are environmentally acceptable, should be carried out to appropriately minimize erosion and encourage the self-sustaining development of a productive ecosystem on the reclaimed land;
  Post closure management of ARD from tailings impoundments, open pits, and waste rock dumps; reduction of ARD formation by sealing off pyrite-containing waste from oxidation and percolating water;

• Budget and schedule for pre- and post-abandonment reclamation activities;

• Upon mine closure, all shaft openings must be concrete capped.

Funds should be reserved over the life of the mine to cover the costs associated with mine closure. The amount of money and the type of financing required will depend on a number of factors such as the projected life of the mine, the nature of the operations, the complexity of the environmental issues, the financial and environmental management capacity of the borrower or project sponsor, and the jurisdiction in which the mine is located. The mine reclamation and closure plan, the timing of its submission, and financing of activities under the plan should be discussed and agreed on with the borrower or sponsor as early as possible.

SOLID AND LIQUID NON-HAZARDOUS WASTES
Applicants should provide a waste management plan that incorporates environmentally safe waste management and disposal practices. Recycling or reclamation of materials is encouraged where possible. If recycling or reclamation is not practical, wastes must be disposed of in an environmentally safe manner that incorporates best management practices, as well as in compliance with applicable local laws and regulations.

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS AND WASTES

• Existing equipment and systems involving PCBs or CFCs should be phased-out and disposed of in a manner consistent with the requirements of the host country and in accord with the recommendations set forth in the PPAH ("Industrial Management of Hazardous Wastes").

• Storage and liquid impoundment areas for fuels, raw and in-process materials, solvents, wastes, and finished products should be designed with secondary containment or liners, where required, to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters.

• Maintenance of all hazardous materials in clearly labeled containers or vessels

• Storage and handling of all hazardous materials appropriate to their hazard characteristics: reactivity; flammability; corrosiveness; radioactivity, and toxicity

• Fire prevention systems and secondary containment for storage facilities, where required, to prevent fires or the release of hazardous materials to the environment

• Hazardous wastes must be treated and disposed of in a manner to prevent the contamination of soil, groundwater and surface waters and avoid the releases of toxic substances to the environment

• A suitable remediation plan will be developed to address the clean-up, as necessary, of contamination on soil and water as appropriate, for the specific site conditions.

NOISE
Blasting will be minimized or avoided in areas inhabited by high risk endangered or threatened species so as not to harm animal life. The Project boundary or fence line is the commonly accepted location for evaluating Project related noise impacts, although the outer edge of a buffer zone or other uninhabited area may be appropriate in selected cases.

AMBIENT NOISE: Steady-state noise levels from the Project's operation, measured at noise receptors located outside the Project property boundary, should not exceed the following limits:

RESETTLEMENT, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CULTURAL PROPERTY (When Applicable)
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical adverse impacts to indigenous and other vulnerable people within the project's area of influence resulting from involuntary resettlement, land use changes, population influx due to increased access caused by the project, or effects on culturally significant artifacts or sites.

Where large resettlement or relocation becomes unavoidable, a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) must be developed and implemented in compliance with host-country laws and international guidelines such as those of the World Bank Group. (See Operational Safeguard Policies of the World Bank: OP 4.20, Indigenous Peoples; OP 4.11, Safeguarding Cultural Property and OD 4.30, Involuntary Resettlement). 

NATURAL HABITATS (When Applicable) 
Project site selection should take into account and minimize to the extent practical impacts to the ecology within the project's area of influence. Care to avoid/minimize impacts should be demonstrated, particularly in the case of important and critical natural habitats as defined in World Bank Operational Policy 4.04; Natural Habitats. For projects situated in sensitive locations, the EIA should address the risk of direct and indirect impacts on the environment of the project's area of influence as well as measures to mitigate these impacts. Guidance in protecting natural habitats is provided in OP 4.04. 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING 
For Category A projects, an environmental management and monitoring plan (EMP), as described in Annex E, should be provided that sets forth: (a) the measures to be taken during the implementation and operation of a project to eliminate or offset adverse environmental impacts, or reduce them to acceptable levels; (b) the actions needed to implement these measures; and (c) actions required to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation measures employed. Specific requirements of the EMP will be made on a case-by-case basis according to the project's environmental sensitivities. The World Bank Operational Policy 4.01 provides guidance with respect to the preparation of an EMP.