Course Introduction

Managing the Environmental Permitting Process

Version: 16 September 2008

Lee W. Saperstein

Start the Course with an Orientation Session	Review the Course at the Summary Level	Start the Course at the Detailed Text Level	Course Certification Entry or Registration
(first time viewers)	(reviewers)	(serious viewers)	(certification)

Introduction

One of the world's greatest aphorisms is "time is money." While perhaps overused, this phrase is particularly applicable to environmental permitting. Delays in application processing are often the greatest cause of expense in the permitting process. The capital and operating expenses involved in adhering to the conditions required by the permitting agency will rarely be greater than the cost of a delay in permit approval. Income deferred by the delay has a reduced present value; construction and equipment costs go unamortized due to lack of income; and loan payments and investors go un-paid.

The overall objective of this course is to assist reclamation engineers, scientists, and managers to obtain environmental permits in a timely fashion. It is also intended to help other people, who may be closely associated with permitting, to understand the permitting process. The course also covers steps that will help a permit holder to maintain continued compliance with the permit's requirements, thus avoiding fines, penalties, and, even worse, cessation orders.

Permitting can be complex. This course will untangle these complexities, and teach the course participants how to get permitting completed faster and cheaper than could be done by trial and error.

Content

The course comprises 23 learning sessions, each of 30 - 60 minutes duration, plus supporting figures, tables, images, references, suggested exercises, and interactive reviews that confirm achievement of the learning objectives. The total duration of the course is estimated at 16 hours.

Learning Outcomes

Participants who successfully complete this course and the certification requirements will be able to perform the following.

• Achieve a working knowledge of the environmental permitting system that exists in most developed nations.

• Explain the relationship between environmental assessment and permitting.

• Obtain new permits in a timely and cost-efficient manner

• Enter into informed discussions with permitting authorities and others.

• Use an environmental management system to manage existing permits.

Course Requirements

Basic requirements for successful completion of this course include the following.

• Participants should have a working knowledge of mining and its potential impact on the environment and an understanding of the necessity for permitting and regulatory compliance.

Course Certification

This course qualifies for EduMine Certification. A certificate will be issued to an EduMine enrollee who registers for certification and successfully completes the certification requirements. The total certification fee for this course is Can$195.

1.6 CEUs  (Continuing Education Units) will be awarded for successful completion of certification requirements for this course. EduMine meets the Criteria for Certification established by the Authorized Provider Commission of The International Association for Continuing Education and Training, 1620 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 615, Washington, DC 20006.

To register for certification for this course use the "Course Certification Entry or Registration" link above or below on the right.

UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

This course qualifies as online learning for the University of British Columbia - Certificate in Mining Studies in the Environment, Social Issues, Health and Safety stream. Students who complete the certification requirements for this course may optionally register for the Certificate in Mining Studies program and complete the associated classroom component. For further information click UBC Certificate in Mining Studies

[Note: Participation in the UBC Certificate in Mining Studies program is optional. For EduMine certification proceed as described under Course Certification above.]

Start the Course with an Orientation Session	Review the Course at the Summary Level	Start the Course at the Detailed Text Level	Course Certification Entry or Registration
(first time viewers)	(reviewers)	(serious viewers)	(certification)