Extreme weather events and the mining industry

Abstract

Risk techniques provide a useful framework and should draw on analyses of climate extremes and their impacts on the mining industry. The effects of climate risks might include operational delays, revenue losses, increased production costs, labor shortages, environmental damage, loss of reputation and adverse mine legacies. The sources of climate risk, its importance and management responses vary with the phase of a mine's life cycle such as when developing a construction program for a mine site or transport infrastructure it would be useful to know the projected number of rain days or the likelihood of flooding over the coming wet season. A mine rehabilitation strategy is concerned with the likely climate beyond the end of the mine design life, and therefore would need to consider long-term climate. The assessment of risks and opportunities associated with climate variability and change should be an integral part of all mining projects from the initial planning all the way through to mine decommissioning.