Environmental Management System (EMS) / ISO 14001:2004

8/8/2019 Environmental Management System (EMS) / ISO 14001:2004

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TASK 2. Environmental Management System (EMS) / ISO 14001:2004. Complete the

following tasks using the example of a mining company.

2.1: Determine the legislative requirements for the companys operations (federal and state

legislations) that are required by the ISO 14001 (one page).

The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP) is the largest private polymetallic and zinc-

producing mine located in Albay, Philippines employing almost 1,000 employees and occupying

almost 1.1% of the entire municipality. RRPP is jointly owned and managed by the Rapu-Rapu

Minerals, Inc (RRMI) and the Rapu-Rapu Processing, Inc (RRPI). Major Asian shareholders

include LG International, Korea Resources Corp. and Malaysia Smelting Corp.

The following laws and legislative requirements have been accomplished by the RRPP:

1995 Mining Act (Republic Act 7642)

Environmental Compliance Certificate (July 12, 2001) (Environmental Management

Bureau)

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (April 2002)

Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act 8749)

Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275)

Mineral Production and Sharing Agreement (MPSA)

Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan - The FMRDP was submitted in December

2007 and is currently undergoing some revisions based on the recommendations of the Mines


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and Geosciences Bureau. Meanwhile, the management has committed to pay PhP 5.0 Million

every month until the FMRDP is finally approved.

2.2: Determine at least 5 stakeholders of the organization and minimum 2 requirements for each

stakeholder (one page).

Investors these are individuals or groups that have shares in the company.

o Return on investment and steady increase of revenue.

o Reputation of the organization: the mining company must maintain its status as a

safe and environment-friendly organization concerned with the well-being of its

employees, the social community within which it operates, and its surrounding

environment.

Employees

o Financial stability of the mining company to ensure continued benefits for all its

employees

o Continued training for employees to ensure safety at the workplace.

Social community

o Safety of the community within which the mining company operates.

o Community development and assistance programs.

Environment protection and conservation of the environment

o Solid, liquid and air waste management


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o Marine and wildlife conservation

Government

o Is the beneficiary of the FMDRP commitment of PhP5.0 M monthly until the

plans are approved

o Frequent audits that would ensure complaisance of the mining company to

standards and laws being implemented.

2.3: Determine 5 main processes that describe the organizations operations. For each main

process determine at least 2 sub-processes. These may include both mining and non-mining

processes (one page).

Exploration

o Resource Drilling, Metallurgical Test Work

o Engineering and Environmental Studies

Processing

o Classification of pit materials into ore or waste materials through Grade Control

Drilling

o Construction of infrastructure needed for mining purposes

Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Plan

o Formulation, management and implementation of the closure of the mining site.


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o Implement a progressive rehabilitation plan that will ensure long-term

environmental stability after the life of the mine and provide for safe post-mining

land uses.

Environmental Management

o Adopt and maintain industry best practices during its construction, operation,

closure and rehabilitation phases;

o Formulate and implement measures that ensure the safety of employees, the

surrounding communities, and its inhabitants

Social Development and Management

o The RRPP is mandated to set aside a minimum of one percent of the mining and

milling cost annually, 10% of which shall be allocated for the development of

mining technology and geosciences and 90% shall be appropriated for the

implementation of the SDMP, as well as the corresponding manpower training

and development.

o The Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project and the government of the Philippines have

a similar dedication of improving the quality of life of the communities especially

around the mining project. By addressing the vital needs of the host and

neighboring communities through providing infrastructure, education and

training, health and sanitation, food security, socio-cultural assistance and

capacity building.


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2.4: Select 2 main processes from the above list and identify at least 5 environmental aspects for

each of those 2 main processes (altogether 10 environmental aspects) (one page).

The Mining ProcessAspect Description

Naturally occurring flora and Fauna

Open-pit mining results to the removal of natural habitats of animal and

other wildlife in the area

Water use

Large amounts of water is consumed through the processes of crushing

circuit, willing circuit and base metal plant

Air emissions

Storage and release of chemicals

Chemical reagents used for processing ores are commonly hazardous to

human, animal and plant health and can cause considerable

environmental problems if not stored, used or released correctly.

Noise generation Crushing, milling and other machine-operated processes

Environmental ManagementAspect Description


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Hazardous waste Chemical waste from the mines such as acid and cyanide

Wastewater discharges

Sewerage from the camp accommodation, kitchen mess and offices

contribute to a large amount of waste water that can not be used for

irrigation or agriculture

Energy use The mining and support operations all require the use of energy.

Marine and wildlife conservation

Preservation and protection of the natural environment within and around

the mining areaSolid waste management program for

residents

Educate the immediate community and surrounding areas about solid

waste management

2.5: Now identify at least 5 environmental impacts for each of the 2 main processes selected

above (altogether 10 environmental impacts) (one page).

The Mining ProcessAspect Impact


Imbalance of the natural environment within and around the mining

area

Water use Wasted water

Air emissions Air pollution

Storage and release of chemicals Chemical leaks

Noise generation Noise pollution

Environmental ManagementAspect Impact

Hazardous waste

Pollution and contamination of air, soil, and water. Health risk to

human, animal and plants

Wastewater discharges Pollution from tailings and waste

Energy use Consumption (or wastage) of natural resources

Marine and wildlife conservation Conservation of naturally occurring animals and plantsSolid waste management program for

residents

Training, formulation of policies and regulations and production of

IEC materials


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2.6: Write down at least 1 objective for each of the 10 environmental aspects previously

identified (altogether 10 environmental objectives) (one page).

The Mining ProcessAspect Objective


Restore, protect and rehabilitate the natural environment within and

surrounding the mining area

Water use Minimize use of water

Air emissions Limit air emissions

Storage and release of chemicals

Ensure safety standards regarding the storage and use of chemicals;

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Noise generation Minimize the production of noise

Environmental ManagementAspect Objective

Hazardous waste

Ensure safe and environment-compliant elimination or storage of

hazardous waste

Wastewater discharges

Guarantee the cleanliness and safety of water surrounding the

mining area

Energy use Reduction in energy consumption

Marine and wildlife conservation Promote wildlife conservation and protection activitiesSolid waste management program for

residents Reduce solid waste also in the surrounding areas of the mine


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2.7: Determine the (realistic and relevant) targets for all of the 10 environmental objectives

identified above (altogether 10 environmental targets) (one page).

The Mining ProcessAspect Objectives Targets

Naturally

occurring flora

and Fauna

Restore, protect and rehabilitate

the natural environment within and

surrounding the mining area Reforestation

Water use Minimize use of water

Recycle water from mining process use

Air emissions Limit air emissions

Must comply with mandatory environmental laws such as

The Clean Air Act of 1999 and Philippine Mining Act of

1999

Storage and

release of

chemicals

Ensure safety standards regarding

the storage and use of chemicals;

Emergency Preparedness and

Response

Hazardous substances such as cyanide, reagents, and

lubricants should be provided with containment bunds,

treatment and storage facilities Noise

generation Minimize noise generation 40% noise reduction

Environmental ManagementAspect Objectives Targets

Hazardous waste

Ensure safe and environment-

compliant elimination or

storage of hazardous waste 20% reduction of hazardous waste in 5 years

Wastewater

discharges

Guarantee the cleanliness and

safety of water surrounding the

mining area

80% reduction of wasted water in 2 years; implement

water recycling processes

Energy use

Reduction in energy

consumption 10% reduction of energy consumptionMarine and wildlife

conservation

Promote wildlife conservation

and protection activities

Existing forestry surrounding the site should be left

untouchedSolid waste Reduce solid waste also in the Construction of small material recovery facility within


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management program

for residents surrounding areas of the mine and around the project site2.8: Identify at least 2 actions for each environmental target identified above (altogether 20

environmental actions) one page).

The Mining ProcessAspect Targets Actions

Naturally

occurring flora

and Fauna Reforestation

24.76 hectares around the mining area is maintained as a

buffer zone

12.9-hectare mini-forest was made within a dense forested

area

Water use

Recycle water from mining

process use

Ensuring that only water that meet effluent standards are

discharged from the TSF to the environmental ponds (the

settling and finishing ponds) prior to release. Use of oil and water separators to alleviate water waste

management

Air emissions

Must comply with

mandatory environmental

laws such as The Clean Air

Act of 1999 and Philippine

Mining Act of 1999

Make use of bio-fuel that releases less greenhouse gas.

Improve engine performance and constant assessment of air-

emitting or gas-consuming equipment.

Storage and

release of

chemicals

Hazardous substances suchas cyanide, reagents, and

lubricants should be provided

with containment bunds,

treatment and storage

facilities

Effective containment bunds must be used to store hazardous

waste to prevent leaks.

Continuous training and education for employees regarding

safety measures and emergency responsiveness in times of

leaks

Noise

generation 40% noise reduction

Noisy mining processes should be situated away from

residential areas.

Acquire less noise-generating machines or invest in noise

cancelling systems.


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Environmental ManagementAspect Targets Targets

Hazardous

waste

20% reduction of hazardous

waste in 5 years

Implementation of a hazardous waste storage facility.

Implementation of a hazardous waste disposal facility.

Wastewater

discharges

80% reduction of wasted

water in 2 years; implement

water recycling processes

Implementation of wastewater recycling processes and

procedures and guidelines on water use.

Installation of sewage treatment plants

Energy use

10% reduction of energy

consumption

Acquisition of energy-saving equipments and appliances;

implement procedures on energy use.

Environment-friendly alternative source of energy (solar,

wind, etc)

Marine and

wildlife

conservation

Existing forestry surrounding

the site should be left

untouched

Catching and killing of wildlife such as reticulated pythons,

monitor lizards (bayawak), and wild birds, and taking out of

the island wild plants such as bonsai are strictly prohibited.

Trapped wildlife are freed at the dense vegetationSolid waste

management

program for

residents

Construction of small

material recovery facility

within and around the project

site

Education of solid waste management

Continued implementation of such from the residential

level.

2.9: Determine at least 5 methods that can be used to measure or monitor the progress of the

implementation of the environmental actions (one page).


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The Mining ProcessAspect Actions Monitor Methods

Naturally

occurring flora

and Fauna

24.76 hectares around the mining

area is maintained as a buffer zone

12.9-hectare mini-forest was made

within a dense forested area Inventory of trees as well as tagging of wildlife

Water use

Ensuring that only water that meet

effluent standards are discharged

from the TSF to the environmental

ponds (the settling and finishing

ponds) prior to release.

Use of oil and water separators to

alleviate water waste management Sensors or quality measures frequently done in

drains

Air emissions

Make use of bio-fuel that releases

less greenhouse gas.

Improve engine performance and

constant assessment of air-emitting

or gas-consuming equipment.

Atmospheric sensors placed in areas surrounding

the mining site

Storage and

release of

chemicals

Effective containment bunds must

be used to store hazardous waste to

prevent leaks.

Continuous training and education

for employees regarding safety

measures and emergency

responsiveness in times of leaks

Frequent inspections of storage facilities

Inventory accounting of every chemical stored and

released

Sensors or chemical assays frequently done in

runoff drains

Noise

generation

Noisy mining processes should be

situated away from residential

areas.

Acquire less noise-generating

machines or invest in noise

cancelling systems.

Noise meters within the mining site and in

surrounding areas.

Inspection of machineries and equipment and

uphold timely maintenance.

Environmental ManagementAspect Targets Monitor MethodsHazardous

waste

Implementation of a hazardous

waste storage facility.

Inventory of hazardous waste materials in storage.

Constant inspection and monitoring of equipments


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Implementation of a hazardous

waste disposal facility.

used for storage and disposal of hazardous waste

Wastewater

discharges

Implementation of wastewater

recycling processes and procedures

and guidelines on water use.

Installation of sewage treatment

plants Sensors in runoff drains

Energy use

Acquisition of energy-saving

equipments and appliances;

implement procedures on energy

use.

Environment-friendly alternative

source of energy (solar, wind, etc) Amount of energy used (electric bill)

Wildlife

conservation

Catching and killing of wildlife

such as reticulated pythons,

monitor lizards (bayawak), and

wild birds, and taking out of the

island wild plants such as bonsai

are strictly prohibited.

Trapped wildlife are freed at the

dense vegetation Increase in number of wildlife.

Solid waste

management

program for

residents

Education of solid waste

management

Continued implementation of such

from the residential level. Less solid waste at the residential level

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Documents

Environmental Management System (EMS) / ISO 14001:2004