Assessment of Member States' performance regarding the implementation of the extractive waste directive; appraisal of implementation gaps and their root causes; identification of proposals to improve the implementation of the directive : final report

Directive 2006/21/ЕС on the management of waste from extractive industries provides for measures, procedures and guidance to prevent or minimise the adverse effects on the environment and risks to health resulting from the management of waste from the extractive industries. The study examines implementation of the Directive indicating possible difficulties in implementation and where possible, the causes. Specific provisions are examined relating to the management of Category A facilities, the use of cyanide technologies, the stability of tailing dams and ponds and the reprocessing of extractive waste. A framework was developed to provide a structured basis for the assessment of the performance of Member States in relation to the implementation the Directive and the specific provisions. The framework defined areas of intervention and associated measurable parameters and indicators. A range of information sources was used encompassing results of the reporting on the implementation of the Directive for the second reporting period (2011-2014), engagement with stakeholders, review of Member States' competent authority information, an information request to Member States and literature review. Implications are set out together with possible approaches to improving information collection, the focus of future guidance and areas where compliance promotion may support consistent implementation across Member States.