This is why this is the first blog posting this week: a visit to the oil sands to consult; and a big meeting with a client from the Northwest Territories who is faced with an expensive decision. Along the way, plenty of opportunities to chat and eat with great mining people. I sometimes wonder that I am so lucky to be paid for doing what I do.
This morning’s e-mail was full. Chock-a-bloc with ads, information, and promotions. I guess much like anybody else who has a computer linked to e-mail. I am pretty ruthless. First order of business if to scan and delete those from unfamiliar sources. Then to those from known source that are probably just fun. Then to those from known sources that involve work. Scanning those from unknown sources, I came across this one:
I have been reading your blog and find it to be very informative and interesting. I am currently working on a conference called Water Management in Mining, and considering your blog is about bettering mining and its services, I think you should take a look at the website. It talks about securing sounds water management strategies in the mining industry. Considering water is such a precious resource and water in the mining industry is crucial, it is important for the mining industry to manage water in a responsible way. This is main gist of the conference. If you see fit to blog about it – that would really make my day! Thanks, Jeanette Bouche .
I am not likely to go to Perth in December for another conference. I am told it is too hot then there. But we can use this conference announcement to think a little on water in mining. While in Fort McMurray there erupted the great debate: are the oil sands mines affecting the quality of the water in the Athabasca River. Competing groups of scientists come to different conclusions. A young engineer with whom I discussed this asked “How is it possible that the same data lead to different conclusions? Is one or the other group lying?”
I reminded her of the debate raging on our project, where nice PhDs are debating last year’s conclusions that are probably wrong: we believe they forgot to take rainfall into account. But their focus is on trying to prove they were right, not on advancing absolute scientific-engineering truth. Thus always is human nature. And that is the eternal problem with conferences: seldom is pure fact explored–too frequently it is an opportunity to beat the communal drum, circle the wagons, and invent new dogma. On which topic, I long ago decided never to attend a conference or read a magazine that promises to explore issues of sustainability. You know they are propaganda-drum focussed. Sadly the Perth conference is tainted; they promise to discuss “Initiatives for sustainable water resource management for optimal environmental, social and economic outcomes.” I knew not one could pack so many clichés into one sentence.
Not that I deprecate the fact that mining is a water user and impactor. And probably more so in Australia. Mines are appoint czars of water; filter pressed tailings are becoming popular; water treatment plants are being planned; regulators are ratcheting down the standards; BC First Nations are vowing to die in defence of sacred waters; and even MSHA is asking how to make tailings dams safe so they do not spew stuff into river on failure. There is action aplenty out there. And probably about time.
A few good consultants would help solve things. So I leave you to enjoy the weekend deliberating whether to brave Perth in the heat or implement the advice of your consultant.
To download the full agenda, please visit http://www.watermgmtmining.com.au
Some of the key topics that will be covered are:
– Uncovering cumulative impacts of mining on water quality
– Setting effective water management practices through good engagement, regulation and planning
– Maintaining top performance throughout the entire life cycle of the project
– Groundwater management and its role in comprehensive water use planning
– Tailings management, water recovery, recycling and reuse of water…… and more.
With the attitude you seemingly have, it is amazing any company in oil sands would hire you. The oil sands reside in a setting that had been eroded by natural processes and have oil bearing strata directly in the river. Groundwater has flowed through the oil bearing and salt-laden strata for millions of years. There is no question the mining activity alters the flow paths but to imply it creates a whole new level of impact that is somehow environmentally catastrophic is irresponsible.
Those who take the “sky is falling” approach either want more money to keep them quiet (see NGOs) or are consultants who make a living chasing ambulances. Which camp are you in?