Topic: The Environmental Impact of Mining
Country: Norway
Delegate Name: Priya Patel
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Norway position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
In many nations around the world, mining is a large and very important part of the economy. In the second quarter of 2017, GDP from mining in Norway was 1317 NOK million. However, despite the economic benefits of mining, the environmental impacts must be considered as well. The mining of metals and industrial minerals means processing large amounts of rock of which over 90% are residual materials, or tailings, for which there are few uses, and only a few percent are profitable metals and minerals. Various chemicals are used to separate the minerals from the tailings. Negative environmental impacts of mining include, but are not limited to underground collapse, seismic anomalies, carbon monoxide pollution, alteration of water resources, chemical leachings in water, and oil spills. It is imperative that, to reduce its environmental impact, the mining industry finds alternative uses for the tailings it produces, reduces its use of chemicals, and develops compounds that can replace environmentally hazardous chemicals.
Norway is richly endowed with minerals and boasts a profitable mining industry. As one of the world’s leading exporters of petroleum, we are very involved in oil drilling and production. The petroleum sector makes up about 9% of jobs, 12% of GDP, 13% of the state’s revenue, and 37% of exports. In 2016, over 225,000 people were employed in the mining and quarrying sector. Mining is extensively regulated by our government. One measure taken to minimize environmental impacts of mining is the requirement of environmental impact assessments (EIA) for large mining projects. The Minerals Act contains environmental provisions and procedures to reduce negative environmental impacts. In Norway, tailings are often deposited in fjords, which pollutes them. The Pollution Control Act requires pollution permits for mining projects and contains rules concerning tailings. Norway’s current objective is to map 75% of the mainland in terms of mineral resources by 2018. This will aid in planning sustainable and efficient mining projects. A weakness in Norwegian mining regulation is our reliance on local authorities in mineral mining cases, however we are working towards moving primary responsibility for environmental regulations over mineral mining to the central government.
Norway suggests that the UN play an active role in establishing mine waste disposal sites. They should also encourage increased reusing and recycling of metals and mineral products to form the basis for more efficient mining practices. The UN must aid in the development and implementation of industrial accident prevention and preparedness programmes, including the promotion of Awareness and Preparedness for Emergency at the local level (APELL). To transition the international mining industry to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, the UN should consider launching a Global Initiative for Sustainable Mining. This program could allow for clear and uniform policies between the public and private sectors and international development institutions. Considering the rapid decline in environmental conditions over the last decade, it is crucial that the UN take action to limit the harmful environmental impacts of mining internationally.
