A perfect introduction to sustainable mining for those new to the subject or those who require some revision, this book provides a basic overview of international sustainable mining practices since 1992, with particular emphasis upon practices in the Americas, Asia and Europe. The text begins by addressing issues such as the volume of waste generated by mining, mine closure planning and the environmental impacts, and then goes into specific detail in the following areas: cleaner production practices in Australia; blasting impacts and their control in the US; minimizing surface water impacts; minimizing groundwater impacts; use of environmental indicators in mining; and emerging mining technologies that minimize environmental impacts. The text contains relevant examples and case histories for ease of revision, and also includes a chapter on Best Mining Practices for Sustainable Mining and sub-chapters on small-scale mining, tailings pond management and hazardous waste management.

Dr. Rajaram is a licensed professional engineer, a certified professional geologist, and an attorney with over 30 years of experience in mining and environmental fields. He has completed several mining, environmental and tunnelling projects in the United States, Canada and India. He has been involved in the design of large open pit and underground mining projects in the western United States, and in the design and construction of waste management facilities in the United States, Canada and India.

Mr. Subijoy Dutta is a registered professional engineer (P.E.). He has over 15 years of experience in Remedial Investigations, Feasibility Studies (RI/FS), Remedial Design, and Remedial Actions (RD/RA) pertaining to the RCRA and CERCLA regulations. He has designed modified cover systems for Landfills and has supervised installation of Landfill covers for several hazardous waste sites. He has prepared reclamation plans for a number of abandoned mine sites in Eastern Oklahoma. Most recently he is involved with watershed management in Virginia.

Krishna Parameswaran received a Bachelor of Technology degree in metallurgical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, in 1968, a Master of Science degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1971 and a Doctor of Philosophy in metallurgy from Pennsylvania State University in 1974. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania.