Summary

This review talks about Best Management Practices in mining. Topics covered include BMPs in uranium and coal mining, stormwater management, erosion, sustainable mining, code of practice, and legal implications.

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INTRODUCTION

If you cannot calculate by equation or computer the optimum thing to do, call whatever you want to do a Best Practice or at least a Good Practice, and you will get the respect you deserve.

In surface water management and in erosion control, almost everything that needs to be done is done in terms of established and proven practice. If the past practice is successful, it gets to be called a best management or good practice and is accepted by the regulators as the way to go.

There is a great deal of validity in the concept of implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on mines where it is difficult, if not outright impossible, to analyze or model engineering approaches that have proven successful at a similar mine. Thus it is proper, prudent, and cost-effective to define, document, and implement proven & successful BMPs of most mines.

Sadly, most BMPs relate only to surface water, erosion control, and closure of mine waste facilities. For the rest you have to rely on good old-fashioned engineering: calculate, model, design, select, and construct.

Hence in this review, we look at the world of mining-related BMPs. Let us know if we miss yours.

BACKGROUND

A mining professor I know told me that the four pillars of mining are:

• Theory as embodies in equations, graphs, and computer codes
• Law & regulations, as embodied in statutes, regulations, and codes
• Experience as embodied in books, technical papers, and guidance manuals.
• Judgment as embodied in engineers, managers, and the expensive consultants you find on every mine.

As we shall show in this review, best management practices are but a sub-sub-set of experience. We should never confuse BMPs with good books, good computer codes, or even smart consultants. BMPs are a valid attempt to crystallize successful past practice that is validated not by theory or calculation but is validated simply by the observation that it worked in the past. And the fact that there really is nothing else you can do to do it better.

Do not confuse best practice with state-of-the art practice. Few mines can afford to implement state-of-the-art practice. And it is seldom necessary. What is needed on the typical mine is to get the job done safely and cost-effectively. And that seldom requires state-of-the-art practice. It is well to know what is state-of-the-art, but you must make practical and reasonable decisions as to what is necessary and safe at your mine based on an understanding of the mine-specifics.