Consultation in Progress

Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Steering Committee

Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Steering Committee - Report Meeting November 2004

This research program, for issues relating to Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and Metals Leaching (ML) at mine sites, has been operational since 1989. While the mandate of MEND in the first decade was driven by industry’s need to find a solution to the AMD challenge, a more inclusive model of shared goals and long-term requirements has become the ruling principle. Another very important aspect of MEND remains technology transfer, with annual conferences scheduled to share information and knowledge from research and/or operational experience. The MEND organization is comprised of representatives from government, industry and ENGOs (through CEN) within a framework of affiliations and the MEND Steering Committee working group. Recently academics have also participated within MEND workshops.

While MEND is focused upon technological issues, there has been more opportunity to address environmental priorities for research projects, to challenge industry/consultant assumptions, and to assess the integrity of the research. The involvement of ENGO representatives in MEND is very important. There are two ENGO positions on the MEND Steering Committee (MEND SC). Catherine Coumans from Mining Watch Canada in Ottawa is the other ENGO representative.

The next MEND SC meeting will be held on November 30th in Vancouver, BC. This meeting is linked with the 11th Annual British Columbia Metal Leaching/Acid Rock Drainage Workshop "Challenges in the Use of Dry Covers and in Prediction and Material Characterization", to be held December 1-2, 2004.

CEN is pleased to announce that Amy Crook has been selected to join the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Steering Committee. Amy Crook works with the Center for Science in Public Participation in BC.

For more information, contact Daniel Casselman, National Caucus Coordinator, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 236.