Canadian mining operations in Canada and abroad do not use mercury and, where mercury is naturally present in ores, take precautions to prevent its release into the environment. Mercury use by the artisanal and small-scale mining sector is a growing environmental concern in developing nations.
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Mining may emit mercury, especially in the processing of ores. Mining pollution control measures can decrease mercury emissions and in recent decades mercury emissions in Europe and North America have dropped significantly.
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Transnational companies must comply with increasingly stringent domestic regulations and may adopt voluntary practices that exceed regulations.
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Arsenic is a naturally occurring element commonly found as an impurity in metal ores, and is produced commercially for use in pesticides, wood preservatives, and metal alloys. Arsenic can be toxic in large doses, and the mining industry monitors and prevents its release into the environment.
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The use of water in mining has the potential to affect the quality of surrounding surface water and groundwater. In response to environmental concerns and government regulations, the mining industry worldwide increasingly monitors water discharged from mine sites, and has implemented a number of strategies to prevent water pollution.
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Because of water quality concerns, surface and groundwater at mine sites is monitored before, during, and after the operation of the mine. The information collected by water monitoring programs is used to assess the effects of the mine on the surrounding environment and develop appropriate water management plans.
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A number of criteria are used to assess water quality in general, such as mineral content, dissolved metals, and turbidity. In order to determine its quality, water is usually sampled and sent to chemical laboratories which measure the concentrations of potential contaminants. Guidelines for the different criteria have been developed by a number of governments and agencies worldwide to protect human health and the environment.
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Cyanide is a naturally occurring chemical that is found in low concentrations throughout nature including in fruits, nuts, plants, and insects. It has been used by the mining industry to separate gold and silver particles from ore for over 120 years. With proper management, cyanide can be used safely and without harming the environment despite its toxicity.
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In order to comply with regulations and ensure that the quality of water leaving mine sites is not adversely affecting water users downstream, mining companies develop sophisticated water management plans to minimize the potential for water contamination, and to prevent the release of polluted water into the environment.
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Mining is a temporary activity, with the operating life of a mine lasting from a few years to several decades. Mine closure occurs once the mineral resource at a working mine is exhausted, or operations are no longer profitable.
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Acid rock drainage (ARD) or acid mine drainage refers to the acidic water which is created when sulphide minerals are exposed to air and water and, through a natural chemical reaction, produce sulphuric acid.
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