Environmental Regulations & Mining Impacts: A Concise Analysis

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 in Business Administration and Innovation Management

Legal Framework & Environmental Protection

Legal Framework Environment, Natural Elements, Practical Issues

Laws assure people the right to an environment in which to live pollution-free, protect the environment, and preserve nature and national environmental heritage.

These are general rules that frame the act of the public and private sector.
This means the various sectors of the country must develop their activities within a framework of respect for the environment.
And the exploitation of natural resources shall be done ensuring resource availability for future generations.

Environmental Management Tools

Environmental Management Tool

1. Environmental education and environmental projects.
2. Projects or activities that may cause environmental impacts must undergo a preliminary evaluation (System of Environmental Impact Assessment.)
3. Community participation in the assessments.
4. Environmental standards: quality standards and emission standards.
5. Plans of Management, Prevention, and Remediation.
6. Liability for environmental damages for violating environmental standards (“The polluter pays”).
7. State agencies are responsible for overseeing the ongoing compliance of environmental standards.
8. Functions of CONAMA (National Environmental Commission).

Functions of CONAMA

Functions of the CONAMA

1. Propose environmental policies to the President.
2. Report to the President on the implementation of environmental laws.
3. To be a consultative, analytical, communication, and coordination body on environmental matters.
4. Maintain a national environmental information system.
5. Manage the System of Environmental Impact Assessment.
6. Coordinate the generation of environmental quality standards.
7. Collaborate with authorities in education and dissemination of environmental issues aimed at creating awareness.
8. Finance projects and activities aimed at environmental protection.

Key Environmental Definitions

Environment – An environment in which an organization operates, including water, air, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelationships.

Environmental Aspect – An element of an organization’s activities, goods, or services that can interact with the environment.

Environmental Impact – Any change in the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, resulting wholly or partly from an organization’s activities, products, or services.

Environmental Aspects of Control – Identify the environmental aspects, evaluate, determine the significant environmental aspects, and implement control instructions/procedures.

Environmental Issues in Mining

Environmental Issues in the Mining

1. Gas emissions.
2. Emission of particulate matter.
3. RILES (Waters of operation discharged to drainage systems).
4. RISES Generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
5. Generation of wastewater.
6. Generation of household waste.
7. Management of hazardous substances / substance spill potential or hazardous wastes.
8. Consumption of water (industrial water and drinking water).
9. Consumption of electricity.
10. Consumption of fuel.
11. Issuance of Ionizing Radiation

Conclusions

Copper extraction via pyrometallurgy is highly polluting, resulting in emissions of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and arsenic (AS) into the environment.
  • The main pollutants are arsenic.
  • Arsenic contamination in the land, water, and air in the region on two levels becomes accepted by international as well as national standards.
  • Mining impacts all air, water, and soil.
  • Mining generates environmental, social, and cultural change.