Coal and gold mining are important economic activities in New Zealand, and the West Coast of the South Island and Southland, for example, have long histories of mining. The process of mineral extraction inevitably results in environmental impacts, but few tools exist to help mining companies and regulators assess and predict environmental impacts of mining operations. This framework has been developed as part of a collaborative research programme with key mining partners to assist with planning of future mine developments on the West Coast and in Southland.

This framework focuses on water quality issues associated with coal and gold mining, specifically pH, metals and, to a limited extent, suspended solids. It draws together research on rock geochemistry, aquatic chemistry, freshwater ecology, aquatic toxicity, and management and treatment techniques for mining to provide a process for data collection and decision making. The main body of the document outlines the process, including data required, methods of collection and interpretation of those data. A series of appendices provide the more-technical and scientific results that underpin the processes and decision trees used in the document. Specifically the framework provides information on collection of the water, rock and biological information used to (a) predict water quality prior to mining, (b) monitor discharges from mines, and (c) identify mining-related impacts. In addition, the framework includes information on state of the art techniques for prevention of poor water quality in mine drainages and optimal strategies for management of mine waste or overburden and treatment of mine drainages if necessary. The appendices also include information on the management of suspended solids (an issue common to all mining operations) and discussion on the impact of extreme events on mining operations.

The framework is written for a wide audience – regulators, mining companies, landholders, and the community – with a focus on assisting with regulatory processes – such as access arrangements with the Department of Conservation, assessment of environmental effects (AEE) for resource consenting and setting resource consent conditions – as well as for internal decision-making by mining companies.

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