By Bruce W. Downing, M.Sc., P.Geo.

PERMAFROST: Layers of soil in which a temperature below freezing exists continuously.

Acid rock drainage has become a major topic with respect to mining and the environment in the permafrost regions of Canada. This essentially has become very important in the recent mine development review of the potential diamond mines in northern Canada. Natural acid rock generation and drainage professes resulting in natural gossan development is very slow in permafrost areas. Some rocks may be quite permeable, such as kimberlites and hence water movement will occur through these kimberlite bodies, even though they may occur within permafrost areas. The studies of ARD and its impact upon the permafrost environment have become quite noticeable within the last five years.

This article will provide a brief explanation of what is meant by a "best practices" approach to environmental mining reform. It was first prepared as a backgrounder to aid in discussion at an international meeting of mining activists in Lima in February of 1997. It grows out of the ongoing experience of the work of the EMCBC and the mining caucus of the Canadian Environmental Network.

As noted in the Saskatoon Declaration, many different public interest groups are facing and fighting the threat of irresponsible mineral development. It is broadly accepted and proven that mining companies engaged in inappropriate exploration and development activities can have severe impacts on the local community, economy and ecology. History also shows that the costs of cleaning up after environmental and/or social impacts are almost without exception much greater than the cost of prevention. In many cases the damage is irreversible.