Since 2004, members of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) have been required to implement MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) initiative. This initiative requires member companies to implement programs to meet requirements under the following performance indicators: Tailings Management Energy Use and GHG Emissions Management Crisis Management Planning External Outreach Many mining companies are applying
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It has taken nearly three years to firm up the details, but the Ontario Ministry of the Environment has finally released its revised Registration Guidance Manual for Generators of Liquid Industrial and Hazardous Waste and its new Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) Handbook. Last updated in 2001, the Registration Manual incorporates significant new information related to
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On July 27th, the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) released a comprehensive blueprint for reducing regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. The centerpiece will be a series of integrated, market-based cap-and-trade systems scheduled to begin operation on January 1, 2012. This will eventually address up to 90 percent of
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The Ontario, Canada Ministry of the Environment (MOE) says it will be easier to apply for and obtain environmental approvals using its proposed risk-based approvals model. To be introduced over the next two years, the model will focus approvals resources on activities that pose the greatest risk to the environment and on businesses with poor
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Effective January 1, 2010, Ontario facilities that already report to the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) at the federal level will be required to account for and report their use, creation and releases of 47 priority toxic substances annually to the provincial Ministry of the Environment (MOE). The Ontario Toxics Reduction Act, 2009 (O.Reg 455/09) applies to an estimated 2,000 manufacturing and mineral processing facilities.

On December 1, 2009, Ontario filed its final Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Regulation (O. Reg. 452/09) under the Environmental Protection Act. All prescribed facilities in 26 categories will be required to collect emissions data, but only those that emit 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) or more per year are subject to the annual reporting requirements. The first emissions report, covering the 2010 calendar year, is due by June 1, 2011. Beginning with the 2011 reporting year, the emissions data must be verified by an accredited third party.