Opportunities for Environmental Management in the Mining Sector in Asia

Abstract

The mining sector in Asia has often been characterized more by poor rather than by good environmental management. Thus, “mining and the environment” occupy contested terrain. This article focuses mainly on the small-scale mining sector, with examples drawn from the region. Small-scale artisanal mining is frequently depicted as environmentally harmful; however, even with large mining operations there are areas where environmental mismanagement may occur. Tailings disposal and reclamation following mine closure are the most frequent examples. Sometimes the nexus between large-scale mines and national or regional government makes environmental regulation enforcement problematic. Links between local government and small-scale mining operations can bring similar regulatory problems. In some countries, small-scale mining’s illegality makes regulation a near impossibility. Although acknowledging that little actually has been achieved so far, the article suggests that nonetheless good environmental management might be easier to establish in this sector.