ADVANCES IN CANADIAN URANIUM MINE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAMS

摘要

By world mining standards, the uranium sector is relatively small, with limited sector-specific standards upon which environmental performance can be evaluated. To fill this gap, environmental monitoring programs have expanded, largely driven by new environmental effects monitoring and environmental assessment program requirements. Much more emphasis is now being placed on evaluating environmental interactions with the near-field receiving environment - both through more sophisticated field monitoring and effects-based modelling. End-of-pipe effluent objectives can now be reverse engineered from these effects-based monitoring and modelling results. This presents new challenges for mine operators and new tools that promote more engaging stakeholder discussions.