Case Study

N. Got, P.Eng., has been hired recently as the chief engineer,as well as his assistant, James Lo, C.E.T., by a gold mine near aremote town in Northern Ontario. The mining company is the mainemployer in the region. Immediately upon starting the new job, N.Got spent some time reviewing the mining company’s operationalprocedures. No Got discovered that, for several years, tailingponds at the mine have been releasing toxic and corrosivesubstances into the environment in violation of the law. N. Gotalso found in the company’s file a recent report prepared by anengineering consulting firm in Toronto. The report concerned aneconomic feasibility study for updating the mine’s facility. In thereport, the engineering consulting firm specifically urged themining company to undertake a number of expensive capitalimprovements necessary to ensure compliance with environmental law.N. Got also learned that the mining company could not afford thenecessary improvements. N. Got found nothing in the miningcompany’s files that indicated that any governmental authoritieswere aware of the illegal discharges.

1. Discuss N. Got’s obligations with respect to the miningcompany

2. Discuss N. Got’s obligations with respect to the public. Whatis the public interest in this case? How would the public interestbe impacted by N. Got’s actions? How should a potential mineclosure and the resultant loss of a large number of jobs affect N.Got’s professional duties?

3. Discuss N. Got’s obligations with respect to the engineeringconsulting firm.