The Environmental Protection Agency will present the Friend of EPA award at the Environmental Management Systems and Sustainable Development forum in September.

The code developed by CMA in 2001 encouraged mining companies and support organisations to develop and implement customised site-specific management systems for the elimination of pollution.

Objectives of the code include use of manufactured chemicals that do not create hazardous wastes, minimisation of accumulation of disposable containers, minimisation of waste that requires special management and energy conservation and reduction.

It also encouraged detailed decommissioning, closure and reclamation plans that identify potential hazardous materials requiring special closure and reclamation measures that help to drive waste minimisation during operations.