Climate change and mining in Canada |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Tristan?D?PearceEmail author James?David?Ford Jason?Prno Frank?Duerden Jeremy?Pittman Maude?Beaumier Lea?Berrang-Ford Barry?Smit |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geography, University of Guelph, 20 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada;(2) Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2K6, Canada;(3) Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5, Canada;(4) Department of Geography, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3, Canada;(5) Department of Geography, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada |
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Abstract: | Climate is an important component of the operating environment for the Canadian mining sector. However, in recent years mines
across Canada have been affected by significant climatic hazards, several which are regarded to be symptomatic of climate
change. For the mining sector, climate change is a pressing environmental threat and a significant business risk. The extent
to which the mining sector is able to mitigate its own impact and adapt to climate change will affect its long-term success
and prosperity, and have profound economic consequences for host communities. This paper draws upon case studies conducted
with mining operations in Canada involving in-depth interviews with mining professionals and analysis of secondary sources
to characterize the vulnerability of the Canadian mining industry to climate change. Five key findings are discussed: i) mines
in the case studies are affected by climate events that are indicative of climate change, with examples of negative impacts
over the past decade; ii) most mine infrastructure has been designed assuming that the climate is not changing; iii) most
industry stakeholders interviewed view climate change as a minor concern; iv) limited adaption planning for future climate
change is underway; v) significant vulnerabilities exist in the post-operational phase of mines. This paper argues for greater
collaboration among mining companies, regulators, scientists and other industry stakeholders to develop practical adaptation
strategies that can be integrated into existing and new mine operations, including in the post-operational phase. |
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