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 company’s 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
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

 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 organization’s 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.

 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.
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 Process

Aspect Description
Open-pit mining results to the removal of natural habitats of animal and
Naturally occurring flora and Fauna other wildlife in the area
Large amounts of water is consumed through the processes of crushing
Water use circuit, willing circuit and base metal plant
Air emissions
Chemical reagents used for processing ores are commonly hazardous to
human, animal and plant health and can cause considerable
Storage and release of chemicals environmental problems if not stored, used or released correctly.
Noise generation Crushing, milling and other machine-operated processes

Environmental Management
Aspect Description
Hazardous waste Chemical waste from the mines such as acid and cyanide
Sewerage from the camp accommodation, kitchen mess and offices
contribute to a large amount of waste water that can not be used for
Wastewater discharges irrigation or agriculture
Energy use The mining and support operations all require the use of energy.
Preservation and protection of the natural environment within and around
Marine and wildlife conservation the mining area
Solid waste management program for Educate the immediate community and surrounding areas about solid
residents 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 Process

Aspect Impact
Imbalance of the natural environment within and around the mining
Naturally occurring flora and Fauna area
Water use Wasted water
Air emissions Air pollution
Storage and release of chemicals Chemical leaks
Noise generation Noise pollution

Environmental Management
Aspect Impact
Pollution and contamination of air, soil, and water. Health risk to
Hazardous waste 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 plants
Solid waste management program for Training, formulation of policies and regulations and production of
residents IEC materials
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 Process

Aspect Objective
Restore, protect and rehabilitate the natural environment within and
Naturally occurring flora and Fauna surrounding the mining area
Water use Minimize use of water
Air emissions Limit air emissions
Ensure safety standards regarding the storage and use of chemicals;
Storage and release of chemicals Emergency Preparedness and Response
Noise generation Minimize the production of noise

Environmental Management
Aspect Objective
Ensure safe and environment-compliant elimination or storage of
Hazardous waste hazardous waste
Guarantee the cleanliness and safety of water surrounding the
Wastewater discharges mining area
Energy use Reduction in energy consumption
Marine and wildlife conservation Promote wildlife conservation and protection activities
Solid waste management program for
residents Reduce solid waste also in the surrounding areas of the mine
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 Process

Aspect Objectives Targets
Naturally Restore, protect and rehabilitate
occurring flora the natural environment within and
and Fauna surrounding the mining area Reforestation
Recycle water from mining process use
Water use Minimize use of water
Must comply with mandatory environmental laws such as
The Clean Air Act of 1999 and Philippine Mining Act of
Air emissions Limit air emissions 1999
Ensure safety standards regarding
Storage and the storage and use of chemicals; Hazardous substances such as cyanide, reagents, and
release of Emergency Preparedness and lubricants should be provided with containment bunds,
chemicals Response treatment and storage facilities
Noise
generation Minimize noise generation 40% noise reduction

Environmental Management
Aspect Objectives
Ensure safe and environment-
compliant elimination or
Hazardous waste storage of hazardous waste
Guarantee the cleanliness and
Wastewater safety of water surrounding the
discharges mining area
Reduction in energy
Energy use consumption
Marine and wildlife Promote wildlife conservation
conservation and protection activities
Solid waste Reduce solid waste also in the
Targets
20% reduction of hazardous waste in 5 years
80% reduction of wasted water in 2 years; implement
water recycling processes
10% reduction of energy consumption
Existing forestry surrounding the site should be left
untouched
Construction of small material recovery facility within
management program
for residents surrounding areas of the mine and around the project site
2.8: Identify at least 2 actions for each environmental target identified above (altogether 20

environmental actions) one page).

The Mining Process

Aspect Targets Actions
• 24.76 hectares around the mining area is maintained as a
Naturally buffer zone
occurring flora • 12.9-hectare mini-forest was made within a dense forested
and Fauna Reforestation area
• 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.
Recycle water from mining • Use of oil and water separators to alleviate water waste
process use management
Water use
Must comply with
mandatory environmental
laws such as The Clean Air • Make use of bio-fuel that releases less greenhouse gas.
Act of 1999 and Philippine • Improve engine performance and constant assessment of air-
Air emissions Mining Act of 1999 emitting or gas-consuming equipment.
Hazardous substances such
as cyanide, reagents, and • Effective containment bunds must be used to store hazardous
lubricants should be provided waste to prevent leaks.
Storage and with containment bunds, • Continuous training and education for employees regarding
release of treatment and storage safety measures and emergency responsiveness in times of
chemicals facilities leaks
• Noisy mining processes should be situated away from
residential areas.
Noise • Acquire less noise-generating machines or invest in noise
generation 40% noise reduction cancelling systems.
Environmental Management
Aspect Targets Targets
• Implementation of a hazardous waste storage facility.
Hazardous 20% reduction of hazardous • Implementation of a hazardous waste disposal facility.
waste waste in 5 years
80% reduction of wasted • Implementation of wastewater recycling processes and
Wastewater water in 2 years; implement procedures and guidelines on water use.
discharges water recycling processes • Installation of sewage treatment plants
• Acquisition of energy-saving equipments and appliances;
implement procedures on energy use.
10% reduction of energy • Environment-friendly alternative source of energy (solar,
Energy use consumption wind, etc)
• Catching and killing of wildlife such as reticulated pythons,
Marine and Existing forestry surrounding monitor lizards (bayawak), and wild birds, and taking out of
wildlife the site should be left the island wild plants such as bonsai are strictly prohibited.
conservation untouched • Trapped wildlife are freed at the dense vegetation
Solid waste Construction of small • Education of solid waste management
management material recovery facility • Continued implementation of such from the residential
program for within and around the project level.
residents site

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).

The Mining Process
Aspect Actions Monitor Methods
• 24.76 hectares around the mining
Naturally area is maintained as a buffer zone
occurring flora • 12.9-hectare mini-forest was made
and Fauna within a dense forested area • Inventory of trees as well as tagging of wildlife
• 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
Water use drains
• Make use of bio-fuel that releases
less greenhouse gas.
• Improve engine performance and
constant assessment of air-emitting • Atmospheric sensors placed in areas surrounding
Air emissions or gas-consuming equipment. the mining site
• Effective containment bunds must
be used to store hazardous waste to
prevent leaks. • Frequent inspections of storage facilities
• Continuous training and education • Inventory accounting of every chemical stored and
Storage and for employees regarding safety released
release of measures and emergency • Sensors or chemical assays frequently done in
chemicals responsiveness in times of leaks runoff drains
• Noisy mining processes should be
situated away from residential
areas. • Noise meters within the mining site and in
• Acquire less noise-generating surrounding areas.
Noise machines or invest in noise • Inspection of machineries and equipment and
generation cancelling systems. uphold timely maintenance.

Environmental Management
Aspect Targets Monitor Methods
Hazardous • Implementation of a hazardous • Inventory of hazardous waste materials in storage.
waste waste storage facility. • Constant inspection and monitoring of equipments
 • Implementation of a hazardous
waste disposal facility.
used for storage and disposal of hazardous waste
• Implementation of wastewater
recycling processes and procedures
and guidelines on water use.
Wastewater • Installation of sewage treatment
discharges plants • Sensors in runoff drains
• Acquisition of energy-saving
equipments and appliances;
implement procedures on energy
use.
• Environment-friendly alternative
Energy use source of energy (solar, wind, etc) • Amount of energy used (electric bill)
• 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.
Wildlife • Trapped wildlife are freed at the
conservation dense vegetation • Increase in number of wildlife.
• Education of solid waste
Solid waste management
management • Continued implementation of such
program for from the residential level.
residents • Less solid waste at the residential level
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