Risks and impacts to first nation health and the mount polley mine tailings dam failure

In August 2014, the Mount Polley Mine tailings dam was breached, releasing millions of cubic metres of tailings water and tailings into Polley Lake, Quesnel Lake, and Hazeltine Creek in British Columbia (BC), Canada. To date, no assessment has identified the communities impacted by this event, nor how they were impacted, from a social or health perspective. This qualitative study uses a community-based participatory research approach to identify (1) First Nations impacted by this incident and (2) impacts to Aboriginal health experienced by these communities. To address these gaps in knowledge, the First Nations Health Authority funded the project team to complete the first two phases of a health impact assessment. This work draws attention to the strong links between First Nations, the land and resources, culture, and associated health outcomes. In considering the importance of Aboriginal health and culturally appropriate health pathways, the project team identified 4 key impacts: environmental dispossession, emotional stress, altered dietary patterns, and changes in physical activity. The similarity in impacts associated with the Mount Polley tailings dam failure for many First Nations in BC is best understood through an in-depth understanding of the importance of the Fraser River as a source of salmon for their communities. This work documents the unidentified and unfulfilled need to ameliorate the extent of emotional trauma prompted by real or perceived threat to salmon health, a threat exacerbated by a lack of reliable information from trusted sources in the aftermath of the breach. Relevant recommendations are also provided

Health impacts extend from the life of a mine to the life of a community – knowledge gaps

The planning, design and operation of mines must include the development of positive environmental, community and land-use benefits if it is to achieve good corporate social responsibility and minimise detrimental impacts throughout the life of the mine. Life-of-mine (LOM) planning should, therefore, consider conducting mining activities in the best socially, environmentally and economically acceptable manner, from the commencement of exploration to post-closure of the mine. Current knowledge of LOM activities in relation to public health (life-of-community, or LOC) impacts neither fully captures the full suite of human health and well-being impacts, nor comprehensively informs society on these issues. This knowledge gap is becoming more apparent as public antipathy is increasing towards mining activities within Australia, Canada and globally. The purpose of this paper is to present preliminary and informative results of a literature review to gain insight into the extent of available public health and well-being knowledge associated with mining development. LOM development must also benefit the LOC, in that it must aim to minimise detrimental impacts, and maximise beneficial (including health) impacts on all associated communities. Health planning and programing for mitigation of potential adverse health impacts of mining should extend beyond the scope of work-related injury and illness (resulting from chronic exposure to harmful substances, infectious and lifestyle illnesses), to the health and well-being of workers’ families and extended associated communities. By mapping the available but rather scarce literature on LOC areas to recognised LOM stages, this review found shortcomings and imbalances regarding research reporting on mining and its health-related impacts in the worker-to-community continuum

Using music to teach mine reclamation

This paper describes a new approach in teaching mine reclamation to mining engineering students. It aims to develop a more effective way to foster a full understanding of reclamation issues and commitment to best practices amongst our mining industry's next generation of leaders. The paper describes motivational and attitudinal challenges experienced in teaching mine reclamation. A new relationship can be established between an instructor and a class using a musical or entertaining approach. This can very effectively start to build foundations for dealing with what for many students is a new paradigm of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Survey responses from fifty students enrolled in a University of British Columbia course, Mining and the Environment (MINE 391), along with observations of educators involved in delivery of this course, indicate incorporation of music in this setting significantly enhanced the exploration of lecture topics and the learning environment. Student responses also indicate future use of music should be included as a teaching strategy, and overall, the incorporation of composing music in the classroom setting has been strongly recommended. This paper highlights specific musical teaching strategies used to assist in delivery of topics related to environmental and social impacts associated with mining reclamation.Applied Science, Faculty ofMining Engineering, Keevil Institute ofUnreviewedOthe