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Mining Policies

Mining Policies

Mining policies are specific to where, when, what and how non-living natural resources can be extracted. These policies ensure the safety of workers during the removal process, as well as ensuring the safety of the communities and the natural environment in the surrounding area. In the US, many of these policies come from the department of the interior. However, externalities from mining may fall under the auspices of other departments, such as the environmental Protection agency, under the Clean Water Act when materials removed during mining pollute local waters.

CMap

The Agriculture Sector includes both animal and crop production. Agriculture, aquaculture and forestry policies regulate and control agriculture, aquaculture and forestry. The Aquaculture sector is involved in the raising and production of aquatic animals and plants in controlled environments. Contact Uses, such as biological additions, physical damage, and biological harvesting, are activities in which humans create pressures through direct contact with the ecosystem. Cultural services are the nonmaterial benefits people obtain from ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, recreational opportunities, aesthetic experiences, sense of place, and educational and research opportunities. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Energy policy & development includes policies and regulations adopted to control the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. Fisheries and hunting policies control who can fish, harvest and hunt. The Fishing Sector includes the harvesting of fish for food and recreation. Food & energy policies are legislation, restrictions, and guidelines that pertain to sectors that harvest or extract natural resources. The Food and Raw Materials sector includes groups that harvest natural resources from the earth, including agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and the oil and gas industry. The Forestry sector specializes in harvesting of wood resources for fuel, wood, and paper products, and often implements practices that will sustain resources, such as reforestation. Irrigation is needed for Agriculture, and involves the treatment and supply of water for irrigation purposes using aqueducts, pumping stations, and distribution mains. Landscape Changes are alterations of the natural landscape through human activities, including coastal development, shoreline armoring, impervious surfaces, deforestation, or soil disturbance, which can alter water flow patterns and lead to pollutant runoff into coastal systems. The Mining Industry consists of the operation of mines, quarries, and wells, and the extraction of natural resources, such as solid and liquid minerals and gases, from the earth. Mining policies are specific to where, when, what and how non-living natural resources can be extracted. The Oil and Gas Industry specializes in the finding of natural resources such as crude petroleum and natural gas, and the creation, maintenance, and operation of wells to extract the oil and gas from the earth and prepare it for sale. The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Regulating Services are benefits obtained from ecosystem processes that regulate the environment, including erosion regulation, natural hazard regulation, and climate regulation. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Supporting services are ecological processes that indirectly benefit humans by maintaining a functional ecosystem for the production of other ecosystem goods and services. Water Sectors include those that pertain to provisioning of water for public use, including the drinking water supply, irrigation systems for agriculture, and water for critical services (such as firefighting and hospitals).

CMap Description

Mining policies are specific to where, when, what and how non-living natural resources can be extracted. These policies ensure the safety of workers during the removal process, as well as ensuring the safety of the communities and the natural environment in the surrounding area. In the US, many of these policies come from the department of the interior. However, externalities from mining may fall under the auspices of other departments, such as the environmental Protection agency, under the Clean Water Act when materials removed during mining pollute local waters.

Citations

Citation Year Study Location Study Type Database Topics
Clifton, J., L. C. Cullen, J. Haapkyla, and R. K. F. Unsworth. 2010. Ensuring appropriate and proportionate responses to environmental threats: A response to Caras and Pasternak. Ocean and Coastal Management 53:700-702. 2010 Indonesia Cultural Policies; Mangroves; Mining Policies; Seagrasses
Musingwini, C. 2010. Techno-economic optimization of level and raise spacing in Bushveld Complex platinum reef conventional breast mining. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 110:425-436. 2010 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Valuation
Ellison, J. C. 2009. Wetlands of the pacific island region. Wetlands Ecology and Management 17:169-206. 2009 Global; US Pacific & Hawaii; Palau; Micronesia; Solomon Islands; Vanuatu; New Caledonia; Fiji; Tonga; Niue; Samoa; Tuvalu; Marshall Islands; Kiribati; Cook Islands; Papua New Guinea; American Samoa; Guam; Northern Mariana Islands Review; Field Study & Monitoring Landuse Management; Mangroves; Mining Policies; Seagrasses; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Wetlands
Zhang, L., B. Zhang, Z. C. Chen, L. F. Zheng, and Q. X. Tong. 2009. The application of hyperspectral remote sensing to coast environment investigation. Acta Oceanologica Sinica 28:1-13. 2009 Field Study & Monitoring; Remote Sensing Beaches & Nature Parks; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Mining Policies; Petroleum Spills
Wantiez, L. 2008. Coral reefs of New Caledonia in 2006: Status report and monitoring network [Les recifs coralliens de nouvelle-caledonie en 2006: etat des lieux et reseau de suivi]. Revue d'Ecologie (La Terre et la Vie) 63:117-132. 2008 US Pacific & Hawaii; New Caledonia; Europe Field Study & Monitoring Cruise Ships; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Funding & Donations; Funding & Incentives; Housing; Mining; Mining Policies; Seastars; Sewage Treatment; Small Boats; Tourism & Recreation; Wastewater Discharge
Daley, B. and P. Griggs. 2006. Mining the reefs and cays: Coral, guano and rock phosphate extraction in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 1844-1940. Environment and History 12:395-433. 2006 Australia Field Study & Monitoring Agriculture; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Mining Policies; Scientific Research
Groeneveld, O. L. 2006. The mine manager's toolkit. Pages 5-Mar in Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Publication Series. 2006 Australia Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Climate; Manufacturing & Trade; Mining Policies; Ocean Acidity; Special Use Permitting
Zaczek-Peplinska, J. 2005. Testing changes of landscape form shapes - Experiences from research and didactic projects implemented in \the migrating dunes\" reserve area [Badanie zmian kształtu formy krajobrazowej - Doświadczenia z projektow naukowo-dydaktycznych realizowanych w. Pages 365-372 Prace Naukowe Instytutu Gornictwa Politechniki Wroclawskiej. 2005 Field Study & Monitoring; Lab Study Mining Policies
Rees, W. E. 2003. Economic development and environmental protection: An ecological economics perspective. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 86:29-45. 2003 Global Model Cultural Protections; Fishing Sector; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Mining Policies; Non-Monetary Valuation
Abuodha, J. O. Z. 2002. Environmental impact assessment of the proposed titanium mining project in Kwale District, Kenya. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology 20:199-207. 2002 Kenya Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Mining Policies; Sea Turtles; Sediment; Whales & Dolphins
Hartman, W. and M. Handley. 2002. The application of the Q-tunnelling quality index to rock mass assessment at Impala Platinum Mine. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 102:155-165. 2002 South Africa Review; Index or Indicator Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies
Cesar, H. S. J., editor. 2000. Collected essays on the economics of coral reefs. CORDIO, Kalmar, Sweden. 2000 US Pacific & Hawaii; Indian Ocean; Jamaica; India; Indonesia; Philippines Field Study & Monitoring Climate; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Fishing Sector; Forestry; Marine Protected Areas; Mining Policies; Mitigation; Monetary Valuation; Tourism & Recreation; Tourism & Recreation Policies; Wetlands
LeDrew Ellsworth, F., MI KE Wulder, and HE AT HE R Holden. 2000. Change detection of satellite imagery for reconnaissance of stressed tropical corals. Pages 2678-2680 in International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 2000 Fiji Remote Sensing; Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Algae; Finfish Harvest; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Shoreline Armoring; Storms & Hurricanes; Surface & Groundwater Flow
[No author name available]. 1999. Digging for oil: An economic petroleum source is being exploited on Queensland's coast. Chemical Engineer 686:22. 1999 Global; Australia Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Mining Policies; Sediment
Duane, M. J., G. Pigozzi, and C. Harris. 1997. Geochemistry of some deep gold mine waters from the western portion of the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 24:105-123. 1997 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies
Abeykoon, A. T. 1993. Population, environment and sustainable development. Sri Lanka journal of social sciences 16:57-64. 1993 Sri Lanka Agriculture; Deforestation & Devegetation; Fertilizer & Pesticide Use; Mining Policies
Dean, R. G., T. R. Healy, and A. P. Dommerholt. 1993. A \blind-folded\" test of equilibrium beach profile concepts with New Zealand data". Marine Geology 109:253-266. 1993 Review Mining Policies; Sediment
Hanna Rifaat, G. M. 1991. Available data for management of the Egyptian Red Sea coastal areas. Pages 3433-3445 in Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management. 1991 Egypt Mangroves; Mining Policies; Petroleum Spills
Abu Gideiri, Y. B. 1984. Impacts of mining on Central Red Sea environment. Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers 31:823-828. 1984 Discharges; Mining Policies; Plankton; Toxics
Abu Gideiri Yousif, B. 1983. IMPACTS OF MINING ON CENTRAL RED SEA ENVIRONMENT. Deep Sea Research Part A, Oceanographic Research Papers 31:823-828. 1983 Mining Policies; Toxics
Owen, R. M. 1977. An assessment of the environmental impact of mining on the continental shelf. Marine Mining 1:-85. 1977 Field Study & Monitoring Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Finfish Harvest; Mining; Mining Policies; Primary Production; Sediment
Kaufman, RA YM ON D. 1976. Ocean Engineering Capabilities And Requirements For The Offshore Mining Industry. Pages 49-62 in [No source information available]. 1976 Algae; Calcium Carbonate Deposition; Mining Policies; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Tourism & Recreation
JULYAN, GD. 1970. Footwell raising on President Steyn Cold Mine, using the Geiger Counter. Pages 169-176 Ass Mine Managers of South Africa, Pap and Discussions. 1970 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Waste Management Policies
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. POSTMINING LAND USE: Exceptions to Approximate Original Contour Requirements for Mountaintop Removal Operations and steep Slope Mining Operations. Washington, DC. Mining; Mining Policies; Special Use Permitting

Management Options

Management Option Description Sources Database Topics
Agriculture & Aquaculture: Hydroseeding High Risk Soils Hydroseeding is a process that creates a slurry of seeds, water, and mulch. This slurry can be applied with the use of trucks, trailers, and even aircrafts. This method is particularly useful because it promotes quick germination and reduces erosion. It is especially beneficial to use this method where there is a vastness of bare soil due to clearing vegetation for roads, homes, and farming. Higher elevations are typically steeper and often experience heavy rainfall, and ultimately an extreme amount of erosion occurs if soil is bare. Erosion from the highlands can fill the reservoirs in the drainage basin with sediment. Using hydroseeding would increase vegetation and ultimately the stabilization of the soil. Also, increased vegetation through hydroseeding would help with infiltration rates because the roots would aerate the soil. Center for Watershed Protection. 2008. Guanica Bay watershed management plan.

Natural Resources Conservation Service. 1999. Temporary Seeding. NRCS Planning and Design Manual. U.S. Depatrment of Agriculture.

Agriculture; Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Forestry Policies; Biological Monitoring & Restoration; Civil Engineering & Construction; Construction Codes & Projects; Deforestation & Devegetation; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Food & Energy Policies; Food & Raw Materials; Forestry; Infrastructure; Land-Based Civil Engineering; Landscape Changes; Landscape Conservation & Restoration; Landuse Management; Mining; Mining Policies; Reef Life; Sediment
Landuse Management: Temporary Road Planning and Construction This management option involves minimizing sediment discharges from forestry and other temporary roads through their planning and construction. Since these roads are seasonal or temporary, less time and effort is normally invested in construction. Road construction has four main phases, clearing, leveling, construction and surfacing. Construction timing should be targeted to avoid sensitive spawning periods and during low stream flow at water passes. Road surface drainage shaping requires proper moisture content, surfacing, and grading. Drainage should be installed to reduce the volume and velocity of runoff water passing over sensitive areas. Methods for road surface drainage include: broad-based dip construction, pole culverts, ditch relief culverts, road outsloping and grading, ditch and turnout construction. Roadway runoff should be prevented from flowing directly into watercourses by using turnouts, wing ditches and dips. Brush barriers, silt fences, riprap and filter strips can be used to trap sediment in runoff water. Where roads cross streams it is important to guard against erosion, as such erosion may necessitate road repairs. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water. 1993. Guidance Specifying Management Measures For Sources Of Nonpoint Pollution In Coastal Waters. EPA/840/B-92/002, US EPA, Washington, DC.

Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Forestry Policies; Civil Engineering & Construction; Construction Codes & Projects; Decision Support; Deforestation & Devegetation; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Food & Raw Materials; Forestry; Hydrologic Management; Impervious Surfaces; Infrastructural Policies; Infrastructure; Land & Air Transportation; Land-Based Civil Engineering; Landscape Changes; Landscape Conservation & Restoration; Landuse Management; Mining; Mining Policies; Non-point Source Controls; Non-point Source Runoff; Nutrients; Road Construction & Maintenance; Sediment; Transportation; Transportation Policies
Landuse Management: Mine Reclamation Lands disturbed by mining must be reclaimed to their Approximate Original Contour (AOC). Mine operators must backfill, compact, and grade in order to restore the AOC of the land with all highwalls, spoil piles, and depressions eliminated. Spoil material is prone to erosion, and may carry various disturbed toxics into groundwater if not properly managed. Temporary roads and impervious surfaces may have also been constructed for mining purposes. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. National Handbook of Conservation Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. POSTMINING LAND USE: Exceptions to Approximate Original Contour Requirements for Mountaintop Removal Operations and steep Slope Mining Operations. Washington, DC.

Chemical Use Regulations; Civil Engineering & Construction; Coal Mining; Construction Codes & Projects; Decision Support; Deforestation & Devegetation; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Food & Raw Materials; Hydrologic Management; Impervious Surfaces; Infrastructural Policies; Land-Based Civil Engineering; Landscape Changes; Landscape Conservation & Restoration; Landuse Management; Manufacturing & Trade; Manufacturing & Trade Policies; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Mining Policies; Mitigation; Non-point Source Controls; Non-point Source Runoff; Physical & Chemical Water Quality Criteria; Political Pressure; Remediation; Resource Use Management; Sediment; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Toxics; Valuation; Waterborne Discharges
Regulatory Review and Development: Evaluate Dredging Regulations Dredging is oftentimes prohibited with certain exceptions. Dredging regulation often falls under other controls over the alteration of the seabed, discharging or depositing materials. At times dredging is necessary for navigation or other activities, necessitating .permitting mechanisms for allowing otherwise prohibited activities. Revising the regulations to help eliminate negative dredge-and-fill activities within a certain distance of corals would be beneficial because it would help promote the reestablishment of sensitive benthic communities. Reservoirs may require periodic dredging to remove sediment that may have collected. NOAA Marine Sanctuary Program. 2007. Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary revised management plan. National Ocean Service, Key West, FL.

Beach & Land Formation; Beaches & Nature Parks; Biological Monitoring & Restoration; Coastal Engineering; Construction Codes & Projects; Dam Construction & Maintenance; Decision Support; Discharge Limitations; Docks & Marinas; Dredging Regulations; Dredging, Draining, & Filling; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Hydrologic Management; Mining; Mining Policies; Physical Damage; Point Source Discharges; Ports & Harbors; Provisioning Services; Resource Use Management; Sand & Rock Production; Security & Public Administration Policies; Special Use Permitting; Substrate; Transportation; Utility Line Construction & Maintenance; Water Transportation
Restoration: Land Reclamation Integrating Toxic Discharge Controls This option aims to eliminate unsightly residues, reduce erosion and control acid or otherwise toxic aqueous discharges from abandoned coal mines, coalmine waste or other types of land change. For toxic mine drainage, preventative actions include mine sealing, infiltration control, day lighting, and neutralization with alkaline material such as hydrated lime. Which action to take relies heavily on groundwater and runoff in the region of the mine. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. National Handbook of Conservation Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Aquaculture; Coal Mining; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Hydrologic Management; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Mining Policies; Non-point Source Controls; Ocean Acidity; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Toxics; Waterborne Discharges
Restoration: Land Reclamation Integrating Landslide Treatments This management option is exercised to prevent down slope movement of earthen materials, including natural soils, and spoil/waste from mining or forestry activities. Extreme caution and planning must be exercised before permitting any personnel, equipment or other machinery into the slide area. An experienced engineer should analyze the stability of the site both before and after alterations are made to evaluate stability. Water Control: sources of water that enter the area can be controlled to keep the material dry, as it is typically more stable when dry. Loading Control: where appropriate, consider removing excess material from upper portions of the slide area to reduce slide mass. Slope Reduction: where practice, use grading to reduce the slope of the slide area. Increasing Internal Strength: consider the impact of removing and recompacting of material at designed levels of moisture and with biotechnical slope stabilization practices. External Restraints: external restraints can be used where slope movements must be limited due to surrounding valued improvements (e.g. structures), where manipulation of the material may not achieve desired improvements. External restraints must be designed to prevent overturning, sliding at or below the base, and bearing failure of the foundation. Vegetative Treatment: deep rooted grasses and shrubs with proven performance in soil bioengineering applications can be planted using selected soil bioengineering or biotechnical slope stabilization techniques appropriate to the site. Transpiration and infiltration should be considered when choosing vegetation. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. National Handbook of Conservation Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Forestry Policies; Construction Codes & Projects; Discharges; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Forestry; Infrastructure; Insurance; Landscape Conservation & Restoration; Mining; Mining Policies; Non-point Source Runoff; Sediment
Restoration: Environmental Remediation Environmental Remediation is a type of restoration that's focus ranges from Brownfields to Oil Spills to Hazardous Waste Sites. These restoration activities aim to restore the site to a previous condition, or to a condition that is not a threat to human health or other forms of life. Several standards can be used to determine when remediation is necessary and to what extent the environment should be restores. Biocriteria can be used to determine the degree of degradation to biological components of the site. Often it is the presence of a particular pollutant in the soil, water or air, which is above acceptable limits and will not degrade fast enough over a short period of time and therefore must be removed. Physical and chemical water quality criteria can be used to set maximum acceptable limits of water quality parameters. Air quality criteria can be used to set acceptable maximum and minimum air standards for remediation. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. 2005. Contaminated Sediment Remediation Guidance for Hazardous Waste Sites. EPA-540-R-05-012, US Environmental Protection Agency.

Environment Protection Authority. EPA Guidelines for Environmental management of on-site remediation. Environment Protection Authority, Adelaide, Australia.

Applied Chemicals; Biocriteria; City Planning; Decision Support; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Food, Beverage, & Tobacco Products; Health; Health Policies; Landuse Management; Littering; Manufacturing & Trade; Metals, Electronics, & Machinery Products; Military; Mining; Mining Policies; Mitigation; Monetary Valuation; Nutrient & Contaminant Processing; Oil & Gas Industry; Oil & Gas Rigs; Oil & Gas Tankers; Petroleum Spills; Physical & Chemical Water Quality Criteria; Pipelines; Point Source Discharges; Public Administration; Remediation; Security; Solid Waste Disposal; Supporting Services; Toxics; Valuation; Waste Management; Waste Management Policies; Wastewater Discharge; Waterborne Discharges; Wood, Plastics, & Chemical Products

Laws

Legal Citation Purpose of Law Management Organization Database Topics

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