Green Mining Initiative
The Green Mining Initiative (GMI) is an innovative multi-stakeholder initiative under the collaborative leadership of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).
GMI was launched in 2009 to improve the mining sector's environmental performance, promote innovation in mining, and position Canada's mining sector as the global leader in green mining technologies.
CMIC involvement
CMIC has endorsed the GMI under its environment theme. A multi-stakeholder Advisory Committee, comprised of key leaders from the mining industry, academia, provincial/territorial partners ,and non-government organizations, is co-chaired by NRCan and CMIC.
Anticipated benefits of GMI
The GMI will develop superior technologies and practices for mining to leave behind only clean water, rehabilitated landscapes and healthy ecosystems, while doing so with reduced energy consumption.
Anticipated benefits include minimizing and reutilizing waste produced, better treatment and waste management technologies, and enhanced knowledge of metal behaviour in the air, water and soils, thus significantly improving the environmental performance and public perception while decreasing long-term liabilities.
Program scope
The GMI focuses on 4 research pillars:
- Footprint Reduction: new mining and processing methods to reduce the volume of waste produced and quantity of contaminants
- Innovation in Waste Management: assess and develop cost effective/environmentally sound waste management and alternative treatment technologies
- Ecosystem Risk Management: examine improved tools to assess and mitigate environmental impacts/risk
- Mine Closure and Rehabilitation: develop and apply options for site reclamation, mine closure and long-term monitoring
GMI Partners
The GMI involves the participation of the mining industry, federal government departments, provincial and territorial governments, regulators, academics, and non-governmental organizations.
