The Planning (Management of Waste from Extractive Industries) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

Regulation 6(2)

SCHEDULE 1 WASTE MANGEMENT PLAN: OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the waste management plan are—

1.  To prevent or reduce waste production and its harmfulness, in particular by the consideration of—

(a) waste management in the design phase and in the choice of the method used for mineral extraction and treatment;

(b) the changes that the extractive waste may undergo in relation to an increase in surface area and exposure to conditions above ground;

(c) placing extractive waste back into the excavation void after extraction of the mineral, as far as is technically and economically feasible and environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at community level and with the requirements of these Regulations where relevant;

(d) where the site is a waste facility, putting topsoil back in place after closure or, if this is not practically feasible, reusing topsoil elsewhere; and

(e) using less dangerous substances for the treatment of minerals.

2.  To encourage the recovery of extractive waste by means of recycling, reusing or reclaiming such waste, where this is environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at community level and with the requirements of these Regulations where relevant.

3.  To ensure short and long-term safe disposal of the extractive waste, in particular where the site is a waste facility by considering, during the design phase, management during the operation and after-closure of the facility and by choosing a design which—

(a) requires minimal and, if possible, ultimately no monitoring, control and management of the closed waste facility;

(b) prevents or at least minimises any long-term negative effects, for example attributable to migration of airborne or aquatic pollutants from the waste facility; and

(c) ensures the long-term geotechnical stability of any dams or heaps rising above the pre-existing ground surface.