2.3 Pollution Many countries have implemented policies and regulations that place controls on sectoral pollution levels. For example, regulation is especially strong in the EU, where the Industrial Emissions Directive requires companies to implement the best available techniques (BAT) to reduce the use and impacts of hazardous chemicals.117 Pollution impacts are caused by LSM, ASM and illegal mining. LSM companies need to comply with environmental regulations, but ASM is typically informal and less regulated, and while essential to many livelihoods, can often employ more environmentally harmful extraction methods.118,119 For example, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is crucial to the livelihoods of up to 20 million miners in over 80 countries and produces up to 20% of the world’s gold. However, it is the largest source of anthropogenic mercury pollution, contributing 40% of all mercury that enters the atmosphere.120 In an attempt to combat global mercury pollution, including from ASGM, 148 countries have committed to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.121 Overall, voluntary and involuntary activities from LSM, ASM and illegal mining across the value chain can lead to four types of pollution, particularly in jurisdictions where regulatory standards and enforcement are weak:122 1. Land, freshwater and ocean pollution, including the leaching of toxic chemicals and heavy metals, the release of highly saline or acidified wastewater and higher-temperature water. In particular, this is driven by mining activities and processing operations, including the use of drilling fluids, material removal and processing (e.g. cooling), and leaching from ore heaps and tailings. 2. Non-GHG emissions (including nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide), dust/particulate matter and other pollutants released into the atmosphere from mining operations (including equipment operation, cyanide vaporization, explosives use and waste drying); metal processing operations; input industries processes (including from the energy, chemicals, construction machinery and heavy trucks sectors); downstream manufacturing processes; and shipping. 3. Waste generated from non-product outputs, produced through mining, production and refining processes (such as tailings and slags), downstream manufacturing processes (ranging from dust to packaging and spent batteries), and end-of-life product waste. 4. Noise and light pollution, for example, from disruptions caused by mining operations, such as drilling or the use of explosives, and machinery operation. Un-remediated mine pollutants have the potential to alter the geochemistry of watersheds over large footprints,123 and acidic conditions and toxic elements can continue after a mine has been abandoned.124 Un-remediated mine pollutants have the potential to alter the geochemistry of watersheds over large footprints, and acidic conditions and toxic elements can continue after a mine has been abandoned. Nature Positive: Role of the Mining and Metals Sector 24 Nature Positive: Role of the Mining and Metals Sector24

Nature Positive Role of the Mining and Metals Sector