UQ researchers look at cumulative impacts of mining on regional communities

University of Queensland (UQ) researchers are embarking on a new and innovative approach to understand and evaluate the cumulative impacts of multiple mining operations on regional communities.

Where most research has previously examined the individual effects of single mines, this new study will explore the cumulative environmental, social and economic impacts that many mines can have on an area.

The study will focus specifically on the in the Hunter Valley where there are currently five coal mines – four open cut and one underground – operating.

Project manager Dr Gillian McILwain, from UQ’s Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM), said the independent study was a combined project of the CSRM and the Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, both part of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at UQ.

The Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) is funding the research, and the project will be overseen by an industry steering committee.

“Applying the framework to the Muswellbrook experience will allow us to develop new methods and indicators by which other communities with many nearby mine-sites can assess the cumulative impacts on their environmental, social and economic resources,” Dr McILwain said.

“By combining the opinions of the Muswellbrook community’s, with data available from various sources, we hope to build a more informed picture of the cumulative impacts that the coal mines may have, both positive and negative, on the surrounding area.

“However, the CSRM is conscious that the community of Muswellbrook has already been extensively consulted on many issues to do with mining over the past years, and we do not want to further exhaust people with over-consultation.

“Instead, the researchers will conduct selected interviews and focus groups with key community members and local stakeholder groups, and meet with the local coal-mine Community Consultative Committees to discuss the cumulative impacts of the coal-mines.”

Dr McILwain said this would not prevent contributions by individual members of the Muswellbrook community who could submit their written views about the cumulative impacts of the mines to her at: CSRM, University of Queensland, QLD, 4072 or by emailing g.mcilwain@smi.uq.edu.au

“Importantly, the outcomes of the study will assist the Australian coal industry to better understand the cumulative impacts associated with mining, recognizing that where there are a number of mines, it is sensible to look at issues in a collective way, as well as mine-by-mine,” she said.

The project is due to be completed in the first half of 2006 and a public report will be produced to reflect the local community input of Muswellbrook, as well as a report to the Australian Coal Association Research Program.

Media inquiries: Dr Gillian McILwain (07 3346 4005 or email g.mcilwain@smi.uq.edu.au) or Andrew Dunne at UQ Communications (07 3365 2802).