A mine inevitably changes its environment. Rock must be moved, water and energy are used, infrastructure has to be built, and different materials must be managed over many years.
The goal is therefore not to claim that a mine can operate without any impact. Instead, the objective is to reduce that impact as much as possible through better decisions made from the earliest stages of the project.
Reduce the impact from the planning stage
A significant part of a mine’s environmental footprint is determined before mining even begins.
A good understanding of the deposit helps define the areas to be mined, the volumes of material to be moved, and the infrastructure that will be required. By contrast, a project based on incomplete or imprecise data can result in additional work and less efficient use of the site.
Drilling, geological models, and technical studies therefore help design a mine that is better suited to actual site conditions.
Limit the amount of rock moved
Every tonne of rock moved requires energy, transportation, and equipment.
It is impossible to completely avoid moving waste rock, but more precise planning can help limit unnecessary work.
A better understanding of the deposit geometry and the boundaries of mineralization helps focus mining activities on the areas that are actually relevant.
Moving less material can also mean less transportation, less dust, and less space required for storage.
Improve water management
Water is an important issue in almost every mining project.
It can come from precipitation, groundwater, or the processes used to treat ore. Good water management aims to control flows and avoid unnecessarily mixing clean water with water that will later require treatment.
Recovering and reusing certain water streams can also reduce the site’s overall water requirements.
However, managing water properly first requires understanding how it moves. The site’s geology, topography, and hydrogeology therefore play an important role in the decisions that are made.
Manage waste rock and mine tailings properly
Mining a deposit also generates materials that do not become part of the final product.
Waste rock and mine tailings must be properly characterized and managed throughout the life of the project.
Their behaviour can vary depending on their composition. Some materials may react differently when exposed to water or air.
The earlier these characteristics are understood, the easier it is to plan appropriate storage, drainage, and monitoring methods.
Reduce transportation and energy consumption
The layout of a mine has a direct influence on its energy consumption.
The distance between extraction areas, processing facilities, and storage areas can represent thousands of trips over several years.
A more efficient site layout can therefore reduce some of these movements and help limit fuel consumption.
The choice of equipment and technologies can also improve energy efficiency, but each solution must be adapted to the type of mine and the specific conditions of the project.
Rehabilitate the site progressively
Site rehabilitation should not begin only when the mine closes.
Some areas may no longer be needed well before the end of operations. Drill pads, temporary roads, or other disturbed areas can sometimes be rehabilitated progressively.
This approach helps reduce the amount of land that remains disturbed for long periods and makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation methods earlier.
Mine closure then becomes something that is prepared throughout the project rather than an intervention carried out only at the very end.
Monitor results and adapt
Even with good planning, mine conditions can change over time.
New geological data becomes available, water conditions may evolve, and some initial assumptions may need to be revised.
Environmental monitoring helps determine whether the measures in place are producing the expected results.
When they are not, practices need to be adjusted.
Good environmental management is therefore an ongoing process that continues throughout the entire life of the mine.
Geology also helps reduce environmental impact
Reducing the environmental impact of a mine requires input from several specialists.
Geologists still play an important role because many decisions depend on a clear understanding of the subsurface.
The shape of the deposit influences the mining method. The nature of the rock affects the volumes that must be moved and the materials that need to be managed. Geological structures can also influence how water moves through the site.
A solid geological interpretation therefore helps technical teams make decisions based on a more realistic understanding of the ground.
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P.J Lafleur Géo-Conseil supports mining and exploration companies with geological data interpretation, 3D modelling, model validation, and mineral resource estimation.