DISCIPLINES

Environmental Scientists

Environmental scientists advise about the effects of the various types of mining on the environment. They must provide solutions to problems related to the environment and safe, economic extraction of the ore. Assurance that the companies are adhering to all federal and provincial laws and regulations is the responsibility of environmental scientists employed by the mining companies. Some key issues they face include waste water management and purification; tailings management; acid leaching; emissions; and mine closure and reclamation. Environmental performance is one of the main focuses of today’s minerals industry, and as environmental regulations and performance requirements become more demanding, the environmental scientists are facing new challenges to improve the performance at the mine site and other locations such as mills and smelters.