Environmental Researches

Environmental Researches

Introducing a New Model for Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Mining: Mining Project Environmental Pre-Feasibility Model (MEPF)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Kebriya Jafari 1
Said Reza Ahmadizadeh 2
Mohammad Reza Dosti 3
Amir Ebrahimi 4
1 PhD Student, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
4 Instructor, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
10.22034/eiap.2025.237717
Abstract
The study addresses the challenges of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in Iran, which are often lengthy and costly. It introduces the Mining Projects Environmental Pre-Feasibility Model (MEPF) to streamline the process of obtaining environmental permits prior to the commencement of mining projects. The MEPF aims to assess regional capacity for mining, set thresholds for environmental change and monitor the state of the ecosystem prior to project implementation. A team of experts selected the most important micro-variables from over 100 options to develop the MEPF model and finally created eight composite variables based on project Threats. Variables were assessed using data from various sources, including field operations and remote sensing, with a focus on threats to the physical, biological, socio-economic and cultural environment. The model determines the acceptance or rejection of a project based on these levels of Threats and expected benefits. The MEPF model was validated through case studies on two mining projects: Kajeh mining project and Khatibi copper mine. Both were approved by the Iranian environmental authority subject to conditions and are currently in operation. Results show that the MEPF effectively facilitates the environmental impact assessment of mining projects and improves decision-making while taking environmental concerns into account. This innovative approach not only increases the efficiency of the approval process, but also ensures that environmental concerns are prioritized in Iran's mining sector, ultimately striking a balance between development needs and environmental preservation. The successful application of this model could set a precedent for future environmental assessments in similar contexts.
Keywords
MEPF model
Mining
Composite variables
Environmental components
Project Threats
Subjects
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Environmental Researches
Volume 17, Issue 33
Recerches
September 2026
Pages 133-150