ICMM and INAP announce collaboration to help mining operations address water pollution
London, UK – Today, ICMM and the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP) announce a collaboration to support mining companies to prevent and reduce water pollution caused by acid rock drainage and metal leaching from mines, with the aim of ultimately safeguarding water quality and reducing long-term remediation costs.
The collaboration will focus on developing a new resource to support the implementation of INAP’s highly regarded Global Acid Rock Drainage (GARD) Guide in mining operations by non-specialist audiences working on sites and at a corporate level. The results are expected to be published in early 2025.
Water and nature are integral to the healthy functioning of the environment, economy and to human wellbeing. As a mining and metals industry, we must consider all potential impacts from operations on the environment and communities close to sites at an early stage of site-level planning and design approaches that mitigate these risks.
“Acid rock drainage and metal leaching are preventable with proactive planning, and so we hope that ICMM and INAP’s collaboration will provide our industry with a practical resource that helps to ultimately safeguard water quality around mine sites.
INAP continues to drive globally recognised leading practice in acid rock drainage and metal leaching risk management through industry-led collaboration, knowledge development and sharing. INAP welcomes the collaboration with ICMM to develop a framework that supports the implementation of the GARD Guide by non-specialists.
“A strong example of INAP’s current focus on acid rock drainage and metal leaching is on preventing and controlling it at the source, through better material characterisation and handling, including early intervention at all stages of the mining and processing lifecycle. The resource being developed with ICMM will be a welcome addition to INAP’s source control toolbox.
Acid rock drainage and metal leaching are natural processes that occur when sulphide minerals in rocks are exposed to air and water, producing sulfuric acid. When waste material that contains sulphide minerals is not managed in the right way on mine sites, it can accelerate these natural chemical processes and result in highly acidic water which can leach metals from the rock into the surrounding environment. Preventing and managing the impacts of acid rock drainage and metal leaching requires informed site-level planning from the start of a mine's operation through to its closure.
In January 2017, ICMM published a Water Stewardship Position Statement which requires members to implement water stewardship practices that include strong and transparent water governance, effective and efficient management of water at operations, and collaboration with stakeholders at a catchment-level to achieve responsible and sustainable water use.
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Notes to Editors
About ICMM
ICMM stands for mining with principles. We bring together a third of the global mining and metals industry, along with key partners to drive leadership, action and innovation for sustainable development, ultimately delivering a positive contribution to society. Through collaboration, ICMM member companies set the standard for responsibly produced minerals and metals in a safe, just and sustainable world.
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Kristen Dodd
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