Community & Environment

Environment

 

Greenland Minerals and Energy is committed to operating to the highest levels of environmental standards at all stages of the exploration, development, mining, and rehabilitation processes. In Greenland, the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP - http://www.bmp.gl) provide guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for mineral exploitation in Greenland. The EIA report must cover the entire exploitation period from mine development prior to the mine start until closure of the mine and a subsequent monitoring period. A key component of the EIA is the Environmental Baseline Study that determines the state of the environment prior to the commencement of any mining activities.

Greenland Minerals and Energy has contracted Orbicon, a Danish engineering firm, to carry out the Environmental Baseline Study. Orbicon specialises in EIA studies. In addition to data collected during 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Environmental Baseline Study for the Kvanefjeld project will be based on an additional six years worth of data that was generated for the Danish Atomic Energy Agency during their studies on Kvanefjeld in the 1970’s and 80’s prior to Greenland Minerals and Energy acquiring the project. This will ensure that the baseline studies will be robust and accurately represent the state of the environment prior to any disturbance relating to mining. The Environmental Baseline Study addresses two key components; 1) chemical and ecotoxilogical aspects (pollution), and; 2) disturbance aspects (impacts on plant and animal populations).

The EIA guidelines that are provided by the BMP draw on information presented in the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy developed by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment; the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency; Danish EIA rules; and the Australian Federal Environmental Department’s “Best Practice Environmental Management in Mining”, amongst numerous other sources.

Communities

 

Greenland Minerals and Energy is conscious of undertaking all aspects of our work in Greenland in consideration and consultation with local communities. We aim to have a positive impact on local communities, through providing work and community support, while maintaining an awareness of the Greenlandic way of life and the environment. Our operations in Greenland are based in the town of Narsaq, where we lease accommodation for company employees and contractors. We utilise as many Greenlandic service providers as possible, which injects a lot of money into local businesses, in addition to directly employing local personnel in our exploration and development work programs.

Since commencing operations in Greenland in mid-2007, we have sponsored local sporting and community events, and additionally purchased computers for local schools and an internet café. We hold public information seminars to identify and respond to any questions that may arise, along with keeping local people updated with our operations, and intentions for the future.