PAMS Management system - Ensuring environmentally responsible mining in Tanzania

In developing countries, the positive economic and social spinoffs of mining are increasingly seen by government decision-makers to outweigh the impacts these operations have on the biodiversity and ecology of an area. Mining in conservation areas was traditionally seen as a no-go option, the current reality is that mining is likely to take place in more conservation areas, and rangers in such areas need to be prepared as to how to handle the situation.

In Tanzania, as with many other countries, current measures are insufficient in addressing conservation concerns associated with mining. Legislation, environmental policies and codes of practice are often in place, but there is very little enforcement and monitoring, and rangers typically lack the resources and specialist expertise in risk management and environmental best practices for such activities and developments, making the current situation too reliant on the integrity of the various mining and tourism companies themselves. However, despite the likelihood of substantial negative impacts on biodiversity from such business developments, there is much that can be done to minimize or prevent these. The Game Rangers Association of Africa has led the development of a management system, known as PAMS, that is believed to be an ideal tool for ensuring the effective conservation/environmental management of business operations in areas of conservation importance. PAMS is designed around international best practice environmental management systems that have proven successful in other business sectors but contains different emphases and specific requirements unique to conservation.

In an effort to ensure that prospecting and the mining operations in Tanzania will be done in the most environmentally responsible manner, the PAMS Foundation is currently piloting the use of the PAMS management system at a prospecting site. This management system is being implemented in liaison with key stakeholders and government officials. Whereafter it is hoped that the PAMS management system will become the recognised minimum standard for all prospecting and mining operations in Tanzania.