Box 9.8 Challenges Associated with Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) (continued) chemicals—are compounded by livelihood practices that support mining populations—gathering firewood, hunting for food, or trading goods. Furthermore, on a global scale, artisanal and small-scale forms of gold production remain the biggest environmental challenge due to mercury use. The Minamata Convention on Mercury 2013 to further limit and in some cases
ban mercury use in countries presents a renewed opportunity to tackle its use in ASM. However, the environmental agenda surrounding ASM must be integrated into broader governance discussions, as often environmental degradation caused by ASM occurs within a vacuum of government regulation and presence.
Box 9.9 Essentials of a Good Environmental Protection Regime If well designed, a regime will provide for the following: ■
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Coverage of both the mineral or hydrocarbon operation and all related infrastructure Environmental permits that cover key impacts such as water use and waste water discharge quality, waste storage and disposal, atmospheric emissions, and noise Community hearings open to the public where all data collection, impact assessments, and management plans are presented as part of the approval process—final, approved documents should be provided to communities Participatory community monitoring that can help reduce community concerns Identification of assets for handover at an early stage and setting up of arrangements for them to be jointly operated and maintained by the community agency or organization that will receive them
technology can be stimulated to produce energy solutions using local renewable energy sources. In this context, companies have an interest in drawing on industry good practice standards and generally becoming proactive; this includes working with communities to build the skills necessary for resource employment and the provision of goods and services. At the same time, companies are able to draw on the growing body of standards and soft-law mechanisms that require a voluntary response from the players for compliance. A summary of the essentials of a good environmental protection regime is contained in box 9.9.
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OIL, GAS, AND MINING
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The establishment of financial assurance mechanisms needed to ensure that sufficient funds are in place for plant removal and disposal and land reclamation and rehabilitation at the time of closure and decommissioning—they should also require that reclamation and restoration be built into the production plan to take place on a progressive basis, in which case there is less to do during closure and decommissioning Penalties that are clearly stipulated for violations of requirements and compliance standards, and compensation set out for harmed parties where needed, all of which should be commensurate with the seriousness of the violation Environmental audits and surveys of any legacy issues from past operations as well as identification of environmental risks and action priorities and mobilization of any funding required
Oil and gas. In the field of petroleum sector governance, a distinct initiative should be mentioned. Given the impressive track record and global influence of the Norwegian approach to resource governance, it is perhaps unsurprising that the Government of Norway should have supported a Petroleum Governance Initiative (PGI) with the World Bank. Based on three pillars (transparency and revenue management, environmental sustainability and community development). It provides support to countries undertaking oil and gas activities by assisting in the implementation of appropriate governance frameworks. Environmental implications are considerable: organizing support for
