UNEP EXPERT REVIEWS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN AREA OF MINING OPERATIONS, PLANS TO MAKE FACTS MORE WIDELY KNOWN

13 May 1996

Press Release
NR/225*

UNEP EXPERT REVIEWS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN AREA OF MINING OPERATIONS, PLANS TO MAKE FACTS MORE WIDELY KNOWN

19960513 Natural Resources Committee Receives Report, Aims to Complete Its Work Early, Responding to Financial Situation of United Nations

Responding to the United Nations financial situation, the Committee on Natural Resources expects to finish its work ahead of schedule. At its meeting on organizational matters this afternoon, the 24-member committee of experts agreed to try to hold its final meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, 16 May. (The session was originally scheduled to conclude on Friday, 17 May.)

Committee Chairman Neculai Pavlovschi, expert from Romania, announced that the working group on mineral resources had submitted to the Secretariat its summary and draft texts for the Committee's final report. The working group on water resources is scheduled to do the same by noon on Wednesday.

The Vice-Chairman of the mineral resources working group, R.W.R. Rutland, expert from Australia, gave a brief overview of the texts it had prepared. They included a draft resolution regarding the integration of key minerals issues into the implementation of Agenda 21, along with six committee decisions regarding such matters as environmental issues arising from mineral activities, the social and economic impacts of the mining sector, a top-level technological body on mining and materials, and a global land-monitoring programme.

Pierre Quiblier of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), making a statement on the Programme's activities in the field of mining and minerals, said UNEP had aimed at making information about the environmental and social dimension of mining more widely available. It had established a working group of industry and academic experts to provide advice on environmental issues. He noted the UNEP programme --- Awareness and Preparedness at the Local Level (APELL) -- which aided in preventing and preparing for industrial accidents. On pollution standards, he said that at a recent symposium, representatives of industry had confirmed that sound regulations did not discourage investment.

__________ * Press Release NR/224 of 7 May 1996 relates to the 2nd Meeting of the Committee on Natural Resources, and not the 3rd Meeting as erroneously indicated.

Committee on Natural Resources - 2 - Press Release NR/225 3rd Meeting (PM) 13 May 1996

Mr. Rutland said the UNEP representative's statement showed that the organization was involved in a useful range of activities. However, he was concerned that the whole range of issues in the mineral field be given due consideration.

The Committee also confirmed the appointment of Mohammad Nawaz Khan, the expert from Pakistan, as Rapporteur. It decided not to elect a third vice- chairman. Supporting this decision, the expert from Zimbabwe said it was not necessary to have a vice-chairman from Africa.

The Committee will meet again at a time to be announced.

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