It's imperative that natural resource industries adopt a proactive (even aggressive) approach to the disposal and management of their wastes. Operators must challenge themselves to raise the bar in terms of environmental performance not only to meet the expectations of regulators today (and investors and the general public), but in the future, when requirements will no doubt be even more stringent. Environmental performance concerns cleanup if contamination at dormant sites as well as the implementation of systems that ensure sustainability in new or revitalized operations. Such activities are in part motivated by the industry's commitment to social responsibility, but there are important financial factors. A critical issue for mining firms, for example, is the treatment of contaminated water from mining operations - an issue that has been very much in the news lately. Contaminated water can represent the single greatest long-term environmental liability for mining operators, and can extend well beyond the lifes-pan of the mine. In fact, regulators require mining firms to post substantial bonds to cover the long-term costs of environmental remediation, and much of this is for the treatment of metal-contaminated wastewater. Naturally, mining firms are looking for sustainable ways to reduce their environmental liabilities, and the subsequent impact on their finances.
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