Surface Mining Operations in Oil Sands

Contents Preface 1Introduction: sustainable development indicators References 2The surface mining process Oil and gas resources: overview; The surface mining operations and the Canadian oil sands; The surface mining process and SDIs; References 3Environmental, economic, social impacts: oil sands, heavy oil, and surface mining projects Overview; The Canadian oil sands: environmental, economic, social, health, and other impacts; Environmental impacts; Social impacts; Economic impacts; Health and other impacts; References 4Preselecting sustainable development indicators Introduction; Governmental regulations; Committees and organizations for standardization; Management and processes best practices; Surface mining industry standards and programs; Local, regional, national, and international organizations; Academically and scientifically authored resources; References 5Preselection process methodology and indicators Introduction; Preselection process methodology description; Preselected SDIs for surface mining operations in the oil sands projects; Preselected SDIs distribution; Areas of excellence and preselected SDIs; References 6Sustainable development indicators description Introduction; Project and Environmental Management Excellence; Site and Soil Resource Excellence; Water Resource Excellence; Atmosphere and Air Resource Excellence; Natural and Artificial Lighting Excellence; Energy Resource Excellence; Resource and Materials Excellence; Innovation in Design and Operations Excellence; Infrastructure and Buildings Excellence; Education, Research, and Community; Excellence; Reference 7The Canadian oil sands: sustainable development indicators and the surface mining operations Introduction; Applicability; Usefulness; Cost; References 8Measuring sustainability of the oil sands projects: introducing the WA-PA-SU project sustainability rating system Introduction; Alberta's oil sands: brief history; The case for sustainability; Sustainability assessments and sustainability-environmental rating systems as decision-making tools; The need for a sustainability rating system for the oil and gas industry; Are environmental regulations enough?; Canada: the oil sands and sustainable development; Introducing the sustainable rating system and its benefits; Origins and definition; name and logo; Subdivisions, areas of excellence, and criteria; Sustainability assessment methodology; Expected benefits; Introduction to industry and future steps; References