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Environmental impact of mining in Canada
97
plant species were involved. This is shown, for instance, by the fact that response surfaces for the same species may be very different even as between two different catchments within the Glacier National Park, if the results shown are to be believed (apparently no statistical tests were performed). The author’s outlook is rather narrow as is shown, for instance, by his statement (p. 17) that gradient analysis has largely developed through work in the United States, and the very few references given to work in other countries other than that of Noble and Slatyer in Australia. Although the work described is nominally directed to managerial needs, it is noteworthy that the list of steps in model-build~g (Table 3.1) does not mention objectives. For practical purposes, it is a basic principle of modelling that the exact definition of objectives should, as far as possible, precede model-building; otherwise, there is a great risk that much effort will be wasted, and the value of the model for management purposes impaired. Failure to observe this principle is the most important reason why so few ecological models, even where ostensibly for practical purposes, have actually been put to practical use. In the present instance, although the author often refers to how his system could be used for management, there is no clear statement that it is in fact being so used, or how useful it has proved in practice. The book is well printed, though there are a number of repeated spelling errors (e.g. “equatibility”~. There is an index, but an inadequate one. DAVID W. GOODALL ~~e~~ley, Western A~s~~u~~~
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Environmental Impact of Mining in Canada. E.A. Ripley and R.E. Redmann, with J. Maxwell (Editors). Centre for Resource Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1978,274 pp., $ Canadian 6.00. ISBN O-88757-008-9. Canada’s Centre for Resource Studies was established in 1973 through the sponsorship of Queen’s University, the Federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and the Mining Association of Canada. As a multidisciplinary research unit, it attempts to bring the knowledge, experience, needs and views of individuals and organisations to bear on important issues underlying mineral resource policy. These mineral resources include industrial and structural minerals but exclude petroleum and natural gas. In 1975, the Centre commenced a programme of research under the general heading “The Natural Impact of Mining”, aimed at examining the nature and extent of the effects of the mining industry on the economy and other aspects of Canadian society. The present volume, impressive by any standards, is the seventh report under this programme. As stated in the preface, the
98
Centre’s objective is to make available to policy makers and other interested groups the results of professional research on mineral resource management issues, and to present these in a readily usable form. Accordingly, the report has three major sections, representing increasing levels of detail. The first two chapters provide an overall insight into the methods and results of the study; the next four chapters deal with the principles involved in the creation, control and dispersal of residues as well as their interaction with ecosystems; the two final chapters and appendices provide greater detail on particular phases of mining and individual minerals. The bibliography contains references to 517 books, reports and scientific papers, indicating the breadth and depth of this remarkably comprehensive review. The disciplined objectivity, clarity and conciseness achieved in the presentation make this book not only a valuable reference source for specific ~formation but also a highly readable and educative text. Environmental impacts tend to be assessed according to their importance (i.e. ecological consequences etc.) and their magnitude (i.e. size and distribution of operations etc.). The matrix adopted for the Canadian mining industry ranks land uses against individual minerals mined and processed, and assigns an appropriate ‘score’ for both importance and magnitude on a scale of 0 (no impact) to 10 (extreme impact). To the casual reader these numerical ‘scores’ may seem somewhat arbitrary, but any such impression is quickly dispelled by the detailed accounts of each process, the vulnerability of particular ecosystems in Canada, the dispersal of chemical residues through the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere and their recorded effects. Thus, we have here the methodology of environmental impact analysis and the objective, scientific reasoning on which the former is based. Where an element of subjectivity enters into the argument, this is clearly explained. In a short review it is difficult to do justice to the wealth of content in this book. Picking at random, one finds condensed, summary statements (with all the necessary leads into the appropriate literature) on such varied topics as the impact of sulphur dioxide and acid aerosols on terrestrial plants, wind patterns and ventilation coefficients for Canada on a seasonal basis, coal mining in Canada, soil stabilisation and site restoration, the public policy and legislative framework for mining and the environment and lists of endangered species. In short, it is a volume which itself can be mined profitably by all with a general or a specific interest in the environment. Landscape planners will find it a useful handbook for their professional activities; makers of environmental policy could well use it as a model for a wellrounded airing of this and similar issues which confront most nations at some time or other; those engaged in the minerals industry should welcome it for the accuracy and breadth of the book’s perspective; finally, students in various disciplines concerned, even if indirectly, with the environment will discover in its pages an intellectual stimulus and a refreshing straightforwardness that cannot fail to reward. J.M. CABORN (Edinburgh, Great Britain)
plant species were involved. This is shown, for instance, by the fact that response surfaces for the same species may be very different even as between two different catchments within the Glacier National Park, if the results shown are to be believed (apparently no statistical tests were performed). The author’s outlook is rather narrow as is shown, for instance, by his statement (p. 17) that gradient analysis has largely developed through work in the United States, and the very few references given to work in other countries other than that of Noble and Slatyer in Australia. Although the work described is nominally directed to managerial needs, it is noteworthy that the list of steps in model-build~g (Table 3.1) does not mention objectives. For practical purposes, it is a basic principle of modelling that the exact definition of objectives should, as far as possible, precede model-building; otherwise, there is a great risk that much effort will be wasted, and the value of the model for management purposes impaired. Failure to observe this principle is the most important reason why so few ecological models, even where ostensibly for practical purposes, have actually been put to practical use. In the present instance, although the author often refers to how his system could be used for management, there is no clear statement that it is in fact being so used, or how useful it has proved in practice. The book is well printed, though there are a number of repeated spelling errors (e.g. “equatibility”~. There is an index, but an inadequate one. DAVID W. GOODALL ~~e~~ley, Western A~s~~u~~~
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Environmental Impact of Mining in Canada. E.A. Ripley and R.E. Redmann, with J. Maxwell (Editors). Centre for Resource Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1978,274 pp., $ Canadian 6.00. ISBN O-88757-008-9. Canada’s Centre for Resource Studies was established in 1973 through the sponsorship of Queen’s University, the Federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources and the Mining Association of Canada. As a multidisciplinary research unit, it attempts to bring the knowledge, experience, needs and views of individuals and organisations to bear on important issues underlying mineral resource policy. These mineral resources include industrial and structural minerals but exclude petroleum and natural gas. In 1975, the Centre commenced a programme of research under the general heading “The Natural Impact of Mining”, aimed at examining the nature and extent of the effects of the mining industry on the economy and other aspects of Canadian society. The present volume, impressive by any standards, is the seventh report under this programme. As stated in the preface, the
98
Centre’s objective is to make available to policy makers and other interested groups the results of professional research on mineral resource management issues, and to present these in a readily usable form. Accordingly, the report has three major sections, representing increasing levels of detail. The first two chapters provide an overall insight into the methods and results of the study; the next four chapters deal with the principles involved in the creation, control and dispersal of residues as well as their interaction with ecosystems; the two final chapters and appendices provide greater detail on particular phases of mining and individual minerals. The bibliography contains references to 517 books, reports and scientific papers, indicating the breadth and depth of this remarkably comprehensive review. The disciplined objectivity, clarity and conciseness achieved in the presentation make this book not only a valuable reference source for specific ~formation but also a highly readable and educative text. Environmental impacts tend to be assessed according to their importance (i.e. ecological consequences etc.) and their magnitude (i.e. size and distribution of operations etc.). The matrix adopted for the Canadian mining industry ranks land uses against individual minerals mined and processed, and assigns an appropriate ‘score’ for both importance and magnitude on a scale of 0 (no impact) to 10 (extreme impact). To the casual reader these numerical ‘scores’ may seem somewhat arbitrary, but any such impression is quickly dispelled by the detailed accounts of each process, the vulnerability of particular ecosystems in Canada, the dispersal of chemical residues through the atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere and their recorded effects. Thus, we have here the methodology of environmental impact analysis and the objective, scientific reasoning on which the former is based. Where an element of subjectivity enters into the argument, this is clearly explained. In a short review it is difficult to do justice to the wealth of content in this book. Picking at random, one finds condensed, summary statements (with all the necessary leads into the appropriate literature) on such varied topics as the impact of sulphur dioxide and acid aerosols on terrestrial plants, wind patterns and ventilation coefficients for Canada on a seasonal basis, coal mining in Canada, soil stabilisation and site restoration, the public policy and legislative framework for mining and the environment and lists of endangered species. In short, it is a volume which itself can be mined profitably by all with a general or a specific interest in the environment. Landscape planners will find it a useful handbook for their professional activities; makers of environmental policy could well use it as a model for a wellrounded airing of this and similar issues which confront most nations at some time or other; those engaged in the minerals industry should welcome it for the accuracy and breadth of the book’s perspective; finally, students in various disciplines concerned, even if indirectly, with the environment will discover in its pages an intellectual stimulus and a refreshing straightforwardness that cannot fail to reward. J.M. CABORN (Edinburgh, Great Britain)