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Institute
The exploitation of raw materials in opencast or subsurface min-
ing is usually followed by an impact on the water balance. To
guarantee a secure and efficient production process the water
must be drained.
Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals have continued the process of giving equal consideration to social, ecological and economic aspects in the planning and implementation of projects of all kinds. The dynamics associated with the increasing world population, globalization and the fight against the climate crisis have taken on an essential role. This brings to bear developments and instruments that cannot be ignored by the raw materials industry, as they are associated with considerable opportunities and risks. In fact, the provision of geo-resources requires an adjustment of operational activities and communication adapted to these new conditions.
When a coalfield finally ceases production there will no longer be any operational requirement to continue with the mine pumping and dewatering operations. Switching off the pumps generally results in an increase in mine water levels. This proces can take place very quickly or may even last several years or decades.
At the Annual Conference of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) in February 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona/USA, the debate on the term “Social Licence to Operate” was a focus. The title of the keynote session of the annual conference was: “The Executive’s Role in Tailings Management: Preserving our Social Licence to Operate”.
In view of the recent accidents at mine tailings dams, the mining industry itself must revisit its “Social Licence to Operate” or, in other words, its responsibility as an operator and public acceptance of its business. A recent tailings dam breach occurred in January 2019 near the Brazilian city of Brumadinho. The massive tailings spill from the Córrego do Feijão iron ore open-cast mine claimed more than 270 victims, polluting the downstream environment with a sludge volume of almost 12 Mm3. Extensive examination of this disaster, along with many similar incidents in recent history, made clear that mining companies must urgently address the safe operation of tailings ponds at the top executive levels. Those responsible must recognize that “business as usual” is no longer an option. Simply relying on a government issued mining permit covers the technical aspects of mining and processing no longer suffices, as the mine operator must consider a wider range of stakeholder inputs and concerns to obtain social licence.
This paper examines how mines can operate sustainably in the broadest sense and which efforts are required to ensure public acceptance throughout the mine life cycle. Results show that socially responsible operation requires that mining processes must be fully disclosed, including the results of long-term geomonitoring.
At the Annual Conference of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) in February 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona, the debate on the term "social license to operate" was a focus. The title of the keynote session of the annual conference was: "The Executive's Role in Tailings Manage-ment: Preserving our Social License to Operate”.
In view of the recent accidents at mine tailings dams, the mining industry itself must revisit its "social license to operate" or, in other words, its responsibility as an operator and public ac-ceptance of its business. A recent tailings dam breach occurred in January 2019 near the Brazilian city of Brumadinho. The massive tailings spill from the Córrego do Feijão iron ore open-cast mine claimed more than 270 victims, polluting the downstream environment with a sludge volume of almost 12 million cubic meters. Extensive examination of this disaster, along with many similar incidents in recent history, made clear that mining companies must urgently address the safe operation of tailings ponds at the top executive levels. Those responsible must recognize that "business as usual" is no longer an option. Simply relying on a government issued mining permit covers the technical aspects of mining and processing no longer suffices, as the mine operator must consider a wider range of stakeholder inputs and concerns to obtain social license.
This paper examines how mines can operate sustainably in the broadest sense and which efforts are required to ensure public acceptance throughout the mine life cycle. Results show that so-cially responsible operation requires that mining processes must be fully disclosed, including the results of long-term geomonitoring.
Die 17 Ziele einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung (SDG) wurden im Jahr 2015 durch die Vereinten Nationen mit großer Mehrheit in der Agenda 2030 definiert und beschrieben. Ihre Umsetzung oder zumindest ihre konsequente Verfolgung ist angesichts der aktuellen globalen Herausforderungen notwendiger und dringender denn je.
Eine nachhaltige Entwicklung ist durch die gleichwertige Berücksichtigung ökonomischer, ökologischer und sozialer Aspekte gekennzeichnet. Tatsächlich kann der Bergbau der strengen Definition des Begriffs „Nachhaltigkeit“ nicht gerecht werden. Der Beitrag setzt sich mit diesem – vermeintlichen – Widerspruch auseinander und zeigt Handlungsoptionen auf, die das Markscheidewesen in diesem Kontext besitzt.
Das Potential der vorhandenen Chancen darf im Hinblick auf die Zukunftsfähigkeit des Berufsstandes nicht ungenutzt bleiben. Im Interesse seiner „social license to operate“ muss der Bergbau sein besonderes Interesse an der Umsetzung der 17 SDG deutlich machen. Der Beitrag befasst sich mit den sich hieraus für das Markscheidewesen ergebenden Handlungsfeldern und Verantwortlichkeiten.
Die markscheiderische Expertise wird auf jeden Fall benötigt, um bergbauliche Lebenszyklen im Sinne der Nachhaltigkeit zu planen, zu organisieren, zu überwachen und zu kommunizieren.
Die Befriedigung des Rohstoff- und Energiebedarfs der Bevölkerung, des produzierenden Gewerbes und der Industrie ist ohne den Bergbau und die Energiewirtschaft nicht möglich. Damit verbunden sind Einflüsse auf das Umfeld der Bergwerke und Produktionsanlagen, die sich räumlich und zeitlich nicht immer begrenzen lassen. Es stellt sich vor diesem Hintergrund die Frage, ob der Bergbau im eigentlichen Sinn nachhaltig entwickelt, geführt und beendet werden kann. Eine schlüssige Antwort auf diese Frage dient in jedem Fall dazu, die öffentliche Akzeptanz des Bergbaus zu verbessern.
