Mining faces tougher waste disposal laws

Uranium mining could be classed in the same risk category as a sand pit if European legislation goes through unchecked, the Quarry Products Association (QPA) has warned this week.
The quarry sector is preparing to tackle proposed legislation that could see all mineral extraction placed in the same risk category to the environment and human health.
This will lump together uranium extraction with quarrying, cement, gypsum and sand.
QPA director-general Simon van der Byl told CJ that the industry faces red tape on waste disposal and some quarries will be hit with restoration charges.
"Those quarries that don't belong to a restoration guarantee scheme may have to join up or offer funds up front. It's possible that those who do not may have substantial financial burdens," he said.
Mineral extraction has previously been classed under two categories, with extra regulations for waste disposal on dangerous materials and quarrying classed as relatively harmless. However, the European Parliament last week voted to lump all extraction together.
Van der Byl said the industry is at loggerheads with European Parliament rapporteur Jonas Sjostedt, who wants tough measures for all extraction firms. "It's a question of whether the rapporteur gets his way or not. Unfortunately, he doesn't want the two categories, he wants to hammer the industry."
Van der Byl added that European legislation would throw a spanner in the works for the current rules, which see the industry's view united with that of the government.
He said: "We're already under strict permitting rules about how waste is managed. We're not that fussed about them - they are the most joined-up piece of work in my experience."