1 Mining and Minerals in British Columbia Cecilia Jacobsen.

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Mining and Minerals in British Columbia

Mining and Minerals in British Columbia

Cecilia JacobsenCecilia Jacobsen

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Sustainability in BC Mining

Environment and Industry

Sustainability in BC Mining

Environment and Industry

•Sustainability in mining : mineral development that meets the growing needs of all communities while maintaining a healthy environment and vibrant economy for present and future generations

•Sustainability in mining : mineral development that meets the growing needs of all communities while maintaining a healthy environment and vibrant economy for present and future generations

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HistoryHistory• Native people in BC mined copper before

Europeans arrived

• In the Laurier era, mining began in Omineca and Cassiar gold fields in the Northwest corner in BC

• Mining of copper, zinc, and lead started in the Kootenay region

• The Cariboo gold rush and prospecting along the Fraser River are responsible for settlement in Western Canada

• Until the 1960s, most mining was underground, then open pit production increased and several copper mines opened

• Native people in BC mined copper before Europeans arrived

• In the Laurier era, mining began in Omineca and Cassiar gold fields in the Northwest corner in BC

• Mining of copper, zinc, and lead started in the Kootenay region

• The Cariboo gold rush and prospecting along the Fraser River are responsible for settlement in Western Canada

• Until the 1960s, most mining was underground, then open pit production increased and several copper mines opened

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Importance of Mining in BC

Importance of Mining in BC

• BC exports copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, molybdenum, coal, and industrial minerals

• Mining in BC is estimated to be a $5.6 billion industry

• Over 28 000 people are employed in the minerals and coal economy in BC

• Over 50 metal, coal, and industrial mineral mines are in production in BC

• BC exports copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, molybdenum, coal, and industrial minerals

• Mining in BC is estimated to be a $5.6 billion industry

• Over 28 000 people are employed in the minerals and coal economy in BC

• Over 50 metal, coal, and industrial mineral mines are in production in BC

copper gold silver lead zinc molybdenum coal

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The Importance of Mining

The Importance of Mining

• Most minerals in BC are exported unprocessed, making it vulnerable to shifting world rices and demand

• Most minerals in BC are exported unprocessed, making it vulnerable to shifting world rices and demand

25 years is the average lifespan for a producing mine

Mine locations change constantly as mines close down

Communities built around mines go down with them

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Effect of Mining on the Environment Carbon Output

Effect of Mining on the Environment Carbon Output

• Fossil fuels are used to operate mines.

• To combat these carbon emissions, some countries have enacted regulations requiring emission controls, but many countries do not have codes dealing with carbon output .

• Some form of environmental standards are needed for countries like China and Russia plus and other developing countries that mine large volumes of strategic minerals.

• Fossil fuels are used to operate mines.

• To combat these carbon emissions, some countries have enacted regulations requiring emission controls, but many countries do not have codes dealing with carbon output .

• Some form of environmental standards are needed for countries like China and Russia plus and other developing countries that mine large volumes of strategic minerals.

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Effect of Mining on the Environment Erosion and

Habitats

Effect of Mining on the Environment Erosion and

Habitats

• Mining is an environmentally invasive process that can cause damage to a landscape in an area much larger than the mining site itself.

• The effects of this damage can continue years after a mine has shut down.

• Damage includes greenhouse gas emissions, death of flora and fauna, and erosion of land and habitat.

• Mining is an environmentally invasive process that can cause damage to a landscape in an area much larger than the mining site itself.

• The effects of this damage can continue years after a mine has shut down.

• Damage includes greenhouse gas emissions, death of flora and fauna, and erosion of land and habitat.

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Effect of Mining on the Environment

Water use and Wastewater

Effect of Mining on the Environment

Water use and Wastewater

• Most modern mining techniques have high water demands for extraction, processing, and waste disposal.

• Wastewater from these processes can pollute water sources nearby and deplete freshwater supplies in the region surrounding the mine.

• Most modern mining techniques have high water demands for extraction, processing, and waste disposal.

• Wastewater from these processes can pollute water sources nearby and deplete freshwater supplies in the region surrounding the mine.

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Environmental Risks of Open Pit Mining

Environmental Risks of Open Pit Mining

• Open Pit Mining is damaging to the environment because target minerals are often only available in small concentrations resulting in more ore mined than needed.

• When crushed, hard rock exposes radioactive elements, asbestos-like minerals and metallic dust.

• During separation, residual rock slurries are produces as tailings. Toxic and radioactive elements from these liquids can leak into bedrock if not properly contained.

• Open Pit Mining is damaging to the environment because target minerals are often only available in small concentrations resulting in more ore mined than needed.

• When crushed, hard rock exposes radioactive elements, asbestos-like minerals and metallic dust.

• During separation, residual rock slurries are produces as tailings. Toxic and radioactive elements from these liquids can leak into bedrock if not properly contained.

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Environmental Risks of Underground Mining

Environmental Risks of Underground Mining

• Underground Mining has the potential for tunnel collapses and land subsidence, which is a gradual or sudden settling of the Earth’s surface.

• Underground mining involves large-scale movements of waste rock and vegetation.

• It can release toxic compounds into the air and water.

• As water takes on harmful concentrations of minerals and heavy metals, it becomes a contaminant.

• This contaminated water can pollute the region surrounding the mine and beyond.

• Mercury is commonly used to recover ores.

• Underground Mining has the potential for tunnel collapses and land subsidence, which is a gradual or sudden settling of the Earth’s surface.

• Underground mining involves large-scale movements of waste rock and vegetation.

• It can release toxic compounds into the air and water.

• As water takes on harmful concentrations of minerals and heavy metals, it becomes a contaminant.

• This contaminated water can pollute the region surrounding the mine and beyond.

• Mercury is commonly used to recover ores.

Mercury tailings then become a major source of concern, and improper disposal can lead to contamination of the atmosphere and bodies of water.

Most underground mining operations increase sedimentation in nearby rivers through their use of hydraulic pumps and suction dredges.

Blasting with hydraulic pumps removes valuable topsoil containing seed banks, making it difficult for vegetation to recover.

Deforestation due to mining leads to the disintegration of biomes and contributes to the effects of erosion.

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Mount Polley Open Pit Mining Disaster

Mount Polley Open Pit Mining Disaster

• On August 4, 2014 in the Cariboo region of BC, the tailings pond of Mount Polley copper and gold mine released a slurry of years worth of mining waste into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and continued into Quesnel Lake and Cariboo Creek.

• Four days later the tailings pond was empty.

• Water tests showed elevated levels of selenium, arsenic and other metals.

• It was called the biggest environmental disaster in modern Canadian history.

• On August 4, 2014 in the Cariboo region of BC, the tailings pond of Mount Polley copper and gold mine released a slurry of years worth of mining waste into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and continued into Quesnel Lake and Cariboo Creek.

• Four days later the tailings pond was empty.

• Water tests showed elevated levels of selenium, arsenic and other metals.

• It was called the biggest environmental disaster in modern Canadian history.

August 5, 2014August 5, 2014

July 24, 2014July 24, 2014

slenium

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National and International Impact

National and International Impact

• National

• Canada-wide: $46.9 billion

• TOP 4 PROVINCES

• 1. Ontario: $9.2 billion

• 2. British Columbia: $8.3 billion

• 3. Saskatchewan: $8.2 billion

• 4. Quebec: $8.2 billion

• International

• Canada is one of the leading mining countries and one of the largest producers of minerals and metals.

• The industry counted for 20.4% of the value of Canadian goods exports in 2012, selling a diversified array of minerals abroad.

• Exports of aluminum, copper, gold, iron and steel, iron ore, nickel, silver, uranium, zinc, diamonds, potash and coal ranged from $1.5 billion to $17 billion each

• National

• Canada-wide: $46.9 billion

• TOP 4 PROVINCES

• 1. Ontario: $9.2 billion

• 2. British Columbia: $8.3 billion

• 3. Saskatchewan: $8.2 billion

• 4. Quebec: $8.2 billion

• International

• Canada is one of the leading mining countries and one of the largest producers of minerals and metals.

• The industry counted for 20.4% of the value of Canadian goods exports in 2012, selling a diversified array of minerals abroad.

• Exports of aluminum, copper, gold, iron and steel, iron ore, nickel, silver, uranium, zinc, diamonds, potash and coal ranged from $1.5 billion to $17 billion each

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How does mineral mining affect the environment

and the economy?

How does mineral mining affect the environment

and the economy?

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SolutionSolution• BC enacted a reclamation legislation

• Mining companies are expected to clean up after themselves at their own expense

• Mining permits are not issued until every aspect of an operation is mapped out

• Mining companies must post performance bonds for reclamation security (if the company fails, reclamation occurs an the company’s own expense

• BC enacted a reclamation legislation

• Mining companies are expected to clean up after themselves at their own expense

• Mining permits are not issued until every aspect of an operation is mapped out

• Mining companies must post performance bonds for reclamation security (if the company fails, reclamation occurs an the company’s own expense

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SolutionSolution• Over 18 000 hectares of previously mined land has been

reclaimed to its natural state and now is used for : forestry, grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat

• Former mining pits and quarries are turned into tourist attractions

• Over 18 000 hectares of previously mined land has been reclaimed to its natural state and now is used for : forestry, grazing, recreation, and wildlife habitat

• Former mining pits and quarries are turned into tourist attractions

Lafarge Lake, Coquitlam : formerly a gravel pit, now a trout fishing lakeLafarge Lake, Coquitlam : formerly a gravel pit, now a trout fishing lake

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We Must...We Must...

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