Topic: The Environmental Impact of Mining
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Joe Heitmeier
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Argentina position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
Mining is one of the oldest industries known to mankind, but it also one of the most environmentally degrading industries. The amount of waste material that is extracted greatly exceeds the amount of desirable material that is discovered. Mine “tailings” often consist of toxic substances which must be kept contained, and the water used in mining generally not safe for release back into the environment. Shaft mines and other underground mining methods have caused underground collapse, coal mine fires have rendered many areas uninhabitable due to carbon monoxide, and dust plumes from large-scale mining operations have caused significant air pollution.
Mining activity has grown steadily in the Argentine Republic (thereafter Argentina) in the past 20 years. The enactment of the Mining Investment Law No. 24,196 provided tax benefits to mining companies, and helped contribute to this growth. Argentina has considerable potential for further development of its mining industry. With a more favorable international climate and domestic exchange rate, investment in the mining industry after 2002 soared. According to the Argentine National Constitution, each province in Argentina can decide for themselves how to regulate the mining industry. Because of this, regulation of the industry is very limited. However, the national government has enacted the Argentine Mining Code (AMC). National Law No. 24,585, which has been incorporated in the AMC, requires individuals or entities seeking to mine in a specific area to first file an environmental impact statement (EIS). If the EIS complies with the standards set by Law No. 24,585, an environmental impact declaration is issued and allows the entity to develop the land. In addition, hazardous waste generation is regulated both at the provincial and federal level. Open pit mining and the utilisation of cyanide has been banned in the Chubut and Mendoza provinces. Executive Order No. 249/2007 requires mining companies to formulate internal health and safety programmes as well as enforce a health and hygiene service. As mining is a big industry in Argentina, Argentina hopes to minimize economic impact without negatively affecting the productivity of the industry.
Argentina suggests the UN encourage regulations similar to that of Argentina’s Argentine Mining Code (AMC). This will ensure the safe development of mining sites, and ensure the regulation of hazardous waste. Argentina also encourages the UN to develop a system in which countries are required to enforce health and safety programmes, as well as hygiene services, in the mining industry.
