Geochemical inputs to risk based environmental baseline assessment

Mining can have a wide range of impacts on the physical, social and economic environments and it has become an essential requirement for new projects to fully investigate these prior to commencement of operation. Environmental Baseline Assessments (EBAs) characterise the existing environment in and around the mine site. Traditionally, EBAs have not been risk based. However, the concepts involved can be readily placed within a tiered, risk-based framework, which ensures the correct data is gathered. Using examples from Africa, the Middle East and the UK, the concept of a Risk Based Environmental Baseline Assessment (RBEBA) is introduced.

This approach offers the advantage of enabling benchmark environmental information to be gathered within a framework which allows future changes to be scientifically judged. The approach considers the sources of potential contaminants, how the contaminants will move along pathways, and which receptors are at risk. The methodology described is one which can be developed at all mine sites, in all geological settings.