LIBRARY
ICMM/UNEP: Explaining APELL for mining
The mining and metals industry is working continuously to advance safety and security measures at company operations. Despite all the measures being undertaken, the industry accepts that there can never be complete "zero risk" at any one operation. So, in addition to risk management, the industry acknowledges that emergency preparedness plans need to be incorporated into their existing management policies and processes.
It is widely appreciated that when an incident like a tailings dam collapse occurs, there is a risk that it may affect the environment and communities beyond the operation's boundaries. Communities are affected either by exposure to direct and indirect risks or psychologically by the panic and fear of unknown impacts and consequences resulting from the incident. Both real and perceived risks damage social confidence and trust in the industry and impacts on its licence to operate.
The impacts and fears can be substantially reduced if surrounding communities and emergency services have been previously
informed of possible hazards and briefed about risk management measures and crisis management plans.
The APELL process was designed to create such public awareness, and to ensure that community services are adequately prepared to respond in the event of any possible emergency.
The process provides a structured way of including the community in the development and implementation of such plans and has the flexibility to complement voluntary codes of conduct in environmental management and community outreach programs.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 02:
Integrate sustainable development considerations within the corporate decision-making process.
Principle 04:
Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.
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