PH17 Environmental Policy Management
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Thursday, 13 November 2003
(PH170) Environmental Effects on Stalled Mining Activities in the Xinjiang of China.
DILIDAER, D1, 1 Graduate School of Social Sciences,Chiba University, Chiba, Chiba, Japan
ABSTRACT- Xinjiang has vast potential unextracted mineral wealth that could be used in a positive fashion to enhance its national economic position and spur regional economies. Along with the obvious advantages of economic development due to exploitation of mineral resources, is the potential for severe environmental impact. Historically the United States, Canada and Japan have experienced large scale environmental degradation due to the uncontrolled exploitation of mineral resources, which are still impacting natural resources decades, even a century after mining and mining related activity has ceased. The accelerated rate at which Xinjiang develop its resources is paralleled by the risk of unregulated development may inflict on natural resources and even human health. The acceleration of mineral extraction has created unprecedented environmental and social problems in Xinjiang.The resulting rush is entirely without official standards, supervision or regulation, other than the extortion of bribes by officials to not interfere. The situation of mineral resources in Xinjiang is still quite chaotic and the mining laws and regulations are still in evolution. Following the changes, the government should ensure effective environmental protection, proper legislation, and the monitoring and enforcement of mining laws. Legislative standards should be developed to indicate environmental bottom lines for such basic issues as water, grassland and air quality and acceptable noise levels. Mining agencies should be held subject to these sound environmental commitments, not just on paper but in reality.
Key words: mining, Environmental, exploitation, Xinjiang