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Mining and the environment: Working together

| March 30, 2018 4:06 PM

Mining in the United States begins with extensive environmental analysis, years of government permitting, opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement, and millions of dollars in studies, exploration and planning. These efforts have led to industry best practices that allow for mineral development and environmental protections to coexist.

In Idaho we are committed to environmentally responsible and sustainable mining practices. Further, we are committed to being good neighbors and partners in the communities where we work, live, and play. This commitment to the environment is not lost on Idahoans, as a new survey conducted by Boise State University’s School of Public Service found that 80 percent of Idahoans believe that mining in Idaho can be done in an environmentally responsible manner. They are correct in that belief.

It is reassuring that the people of Idaho have seen the advancements made over time in our practices and our commitment, as an industry, to environmentally responsible mineral extraction. As with most industries, mining has learned from past practices to improve its current operations. Advancements in technology and changes in our management have allowed our industry to mitigate many of the impacts we have on the environment. Idaho Mining Association’s members continue to make efforts to reduce and mitigate the environmental impacts at every stage of the mining cycle and continue to find innovative and effective ways to restore the landscape and ecosystems upon mine closure.

To meet or exceed the environmental standards prescribed by our partners in state and federal government, mining companies employ many techniques to assure mine projects are safe, environmentally sustainable neighbors who also maintain the highest levels of regulatory compliance. In fact, the industry has recognized that environmental responsibility is essential to mineral extraction and has developed and continues to develop many best practices used in mining today.

Here are a few examples of how we accomplish these goals.

Water: Our members manage water on site with extreme care to prevent the possible release of any contamination into the environment. Surface water is often diverted altogether to keep it from entering a mine site. Liners are installed under overburden and ore piles to prevent contamination of ground water. The industry has developed and employed robust water recycling and evaporation methods to reduce the amount of water used, treated and released.

Air: Whether it is emissions from vehicles or dust from haul roads, air quality is an important piece of the puzzle when we look at how mining interacts with the environment. Dust abatement is a significant factor in these efforts. Mine planning has played a large role in managing dust emissions. Limiting haul road distances, spraying water on unpaved roads, minimizing disturbed areas, and covering overburden piles with liners or vegetation to slow wind erosion are a few of the methods used.

Like other Idaho industries, mining has embraced alternative energy sources and clean diesel fuel. This has led to reduced energy consumption, reduced carbon emissions, and increased efficiencies in our operations while also contributing to the health of the local airsheds.

Habitat: IMA members have spent millions of dollars over the past two decades to improve the sustainability of our mining practices as well the surrounding wildlife habitats in the communities where we work (and live) and we will continue to do so. Our members have engaged and collaborated with conservation groups around the state to help in these efforts. This collaborative approach has led to miles of stream restoration, thousands of acres of game habitat restoration, and planted hundreds of thousands of trees in these areas.

We are fortunate in Idaho to have a diverse and valuable mineral base. Our geology is one of the state’s most important assets, not only for jobs and economic prosperity but because mined materials are the raw materials used to power, build, and feed America; and we do it in a way that is sustainable and responsible for Idaho, because we live here and we value a healthy and safe environment for ourselves, our children, and the diverse wildlife that makes up our great state.

Mining has long been an important industry to Idaho. We will continue to be committed to finding new and innovative ways to develop mines that provide the materials that make modern life possible while maintaining the highest environmental standards. Idaho Mining Association’s members are proud to be in Idaho with many calling the state home. This pride is exemplified through the care taken to sustainably develop projects in a way that minimizes impact, create economic opportunity, and benefit their surrounding communities. The high standards maintained by our member companies are what makes us at IMA so proud to represent this industry for over 100 years, and we are certain that mining will continue to play a vital role in the success of our state.

Ben Davenport is Executive Vice President of the Idaho Mining Association. Contact him at 208-342-0031 or bdavenport@mineidaho.com.