Efficient environmental management, together with the prediction, prevention and control of the effects of mining operations is critical to the new challenges facing the mining industry today. This was one of the main conclusions reached during the 3rd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in Mining, Enviromine 2013, recently held in Santiago, Chile.
Fernando Valenzuela, the seminar’s technical coordinator, remarked on these challenges. “Even if metal prices still remain relatively high, production costs have risen considerably. When added to uncertainties regarding power and water supply, some projects are put at risk but at the same time we are forced to achieve greater efficiency in current operations,” he said.
Enviromine 2013 is the third in a series of seminars which began in 2009. The seminar seeks to bring together professionals, executives, researchers and consultants from around the world to discuss the latest developments and trends related to environmental issues in mining.
Valenzuela said that thanks to the commitment of the participants in this version of the seminar, it was possible to establish such a dialogue on the importance of environmental management throughout the mining cycle and the current situation facing the industry. “During the seminar, papers that address new tools and innovative solutions to achieve sustainable environmental management were presented. It is clear that the ideas presented need to be expanded upon even further for the future,” he stated.
The Enviromine technical program included 76 presentations by authors from 19 countries, two professional development courses and a technical visit to the coastal facilities of Antofagasta Minerals’ Los Pelambres Division, located in Puerto Chungo in the Los Vilos region. The seminar was chaired by Jorge Chavez, Regional Environmental Director at Barrick, Chile, and organized by Gecamin in conjunction with the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation, SMI, University of Queensland, Australia.
