Terms of Reference

Manual for Environmental procedures and

implementation of ems in the mining sector

1. Background

Romania has sizeable reserves of metals (gold, silver, combined metals, copper), nonmetals, as well as salt, uranium, lignite and hard coal. However, the selection of the reserves for development has been poor and the mining conditions are difficult. In its drive for economic self-sufficiency, the previous regime decided to develop all deposits where this was technically feasible. The relatively high wages of the mining industry attracted labor from all over the country. The state-owned mining companies directed their efforts primarily to increasing production, irrespective of costs and environmental consequences. This resulted in a much larger mining sector than was economically justified and extensive budgetary support was required. Until now the Government has identified more than 360 mines that are uneconomic and will be closed shortly.

Although Romania has a new regulatory framework to address environmental impact issues, the administration of these regulations is fragmented and environmental agencies lack the capacity to monitor the implementation of environmental remediation measures. In order to deal effectively with the complexity of environmental issues from mining sector, one important objective of the Government’s strategy is the development and implementation of an environmental management system.

A first step toward the achievement of this objective would be the preparation of a Manual for Environmental Procedures and Implementation of Environmental Management System in the Mining Sector. The Manual should establish a framework within which the mining companies could promote adequate environmental management systems starting with the exploration phase in order to minimize the environment-related risks.

During the Pilot-Project for Mine Closure and Social Mitigation, a Sector Environmental Assessment (SEA) was prepared, comprising an overall study of the environmental effects of the past, present and projected future mining activities on which basis protective and remedial solutions that are most effective in terms of reducing the adverse environmental impacts and their costs can be identified. SEA also provides guidelines on how the entire sector should be most effectively regulated and its public environmental institutions best organized. Based on data gathered by the mining companies, environmental agencies, field observations carried out by SEA team, the environmental key issues were identified. The study covers the entire mining sector and it will provide basic data for the assignment.

2. Objectives

The Consultant will develop a Manual for Environmental Procedures and Implementation of an Environment Management System which will incorporate the best international practices.

The manual will form the basis for training Romanian experts responsible with environmental issues related to the mining activity.

Taking into account that environmental systems differ from mine to mine, the Consultant shall assist one company/mine from each mining sub-sector to develop environmental management systems according to their specific needs.

3. Scope of the assignment

1. Preparation of the Manual

The preparation of this manual will take into consideration provisions of Romanian legislation and EU legislation.

As the environmental impact of the mining activity tends to vary from one mining sub-sector to another, the Manual should approach each of the following sub-sectors, both for open pit and underground mining:

• coal (hard coal, lignite);
• metallic and non-metallic;
• uranium;
• salt.

With regard to environmental procedures it is expected that the Manual include:

• identification of the best practices;
• provision of environmental procedures for each of the exploration, mining, mine decommissioning, mine closure and post-closure phases;
• costs, advantages and disadvantages for each identified technique.

The purpose of above provisions is to reduce the impact and the risks of pollution on:

• surface waters and the ecosystem;
• underground waters;
• soil and vegetation;
• air;
• surface.

With regard to the implementation of an environmental management system to be used by mining companies in order to achieve their environmental policies, the Manual should include:

• recommendations regarding the components of the environmental management system (including appropriate environmental management program);
• identification of environmental aspects which should be taken into consideration;
• identification of monitoring requirements (source monitoring);
• methods for improvement of environmental management systems.

In the preparation of the Manual, the Consultant will take into consideration the findings of the Sector Environmental Assessment (SEA) regarding the environmental impact of the mining activity in various mining sub-sectors.

The consultant shall also review/analyze the results of the Mine Closure and Social Mitigation Project – Environmental Management in the Mining Sector – Codes of Practices, as well as the provisions of ISO 14001:1997 (Environmental Management System – Specifications and guide for use).

2. Training

Once the Manual is completed and approved by the Employer, the consultants will start the transfer of knowledge process by organizing workshops and training programs for Romanian experts.

The Consultant shall organize the following number of such workshops/training modules:

1. two (2) sessions for the regulatory and decision-making entities in the mining sector;
2. three (3) session for the representatives of the mining companies;
3. three (3) sessions for entrepreneurs, engineers (providing technical assistance for mine closure and environmental remediation works) and designers.

The lists of participants shall be delivered by the Employer.

The workshops/training modules will be based in Romania.

All documentations related to training shall be prepared and handed over to the Client with at least one week before each training module. The consultant shall be responsible for providing one set of training documentation (in English and Romanian) for each attendant.