Case Studies Flashcards
What were the impacts of the Mount Pinatubo eruption (1991) on the biosphere, atmosphere and climate?
Biosphere:
- Loss of plant life from lava flows
- Loss of plant and animal life from pyroclastic flows
- Ash cloud for two years, no photosynthesis death of plants
Atmosphere:
- Ash cloud, particles in the air
- CO2 and SO4 production
Climate:
- 0.5 degree drop for 2 years from increased solar albedo
What was the role of traditional owners in the planning procedures, mining practices, and restoration of damaged land after mining operations? (3 case studies, one for each)
What is an example of a community sustainability initiative?
Lidcombe Woolworths:
- In-store Woolworths uses cardboard compactors to make cardboard bales which compresses cardboard.
- They also recycle soft plastic from products as well as soft plastics that customers bring in through the RedCycle program
- All other waste is also sorted and as much is recycled as possible, such as through their battery recycling program
- Any food waste is recycled through Woolworths’ partnership with OzHarvest, 72% landfill diversion
- Woolworths will also remove any products that do not abide by their sustainability criteria
Evaluation: overall an effective program, however they are still improving and continuing to attempt to educate customers on programs such as the ARL
What is an example of a waste management option and is it sustainable? (evaluation)
One example is RedCycle, which is an Australian program to recycle soft plastics such as shopping bags. It was a successful option as there are few other ways to recycle soft plastics and were partnered with major brands such as Coles and Woolworths. However, the program has recently been suspended for stockpiling unrecycled waste, as they do not have the capacity to recycle that volume of plastic. Therefore it is currently not sustainable due to its ability to fulfill the sustainability criteria, by not recycling into new resources. This puts an emphasis on the need for alternative management solutions for soft plastic waste.
What is an example of ATSI involvement in the planning procedures of a mine
Rio Tinto and Junkan Gorge
- 4000 year old sacred site, not only to the local community but all ATSI people who have direct connections with the cave
- Mount Tom Price is the single biggest deposit of high-grade iron ore in the world
- Rio tinto had 3 other options available, but still chose to destroy the site without the knowledge of the local Aboriginal community
What is an example of ATSI involvement in the mining practices of a mine
The Gulf Communities Agreement at Century mine:
- Indigenous community liaison officer who engages with the local community and offers training + employment opportunities
- Also involces the GCA which allows Native Title groups, the Century Mine and the QLD government to work together
What is an example of ATSI involvement in the rehabilitation of a mine
The Rio Tinto Gulkula mine:
- Indigenous owned and run with over 50% of employees being Indigenous
- Rio Tinto purchases te bauxite from Gumdaji Corporation
- Plant nursery, agreements with local community for involvement in restoration
How is an Australian resource extracted/managed, used, can it be used sustainably and what is it’s importance?
Concrete (made using cement using limestone as a raw material), large CO2 emissions from process chemistry, an essential building material
