Mining

Mining is a means to obtain resources such as coal, metals and minerals. These resources are required for energy production, construction and aesthetic purposes etc. In this post, I will focus on the environmental impacts of surface mining.

(Taken from http://www.snipview.com/q/Surface%20mines?tab=images)

Surface mining is a type of mining that removes vegetation, soil and rocks from the Earth's surface to reach the resources underneath. This results in the loss of biodiversity which severely disrupts the ecosystem.

When the ground below is exposed, naturally occurring substances like arsenic and lead can become wind-borne and have adverse health effects when inhaled.

In addition, soil erosion and flooding will occur without the presence of forests to hold the soil in place and act as catchment for rainwater. Flooding and soil erosion can cause further damage to the ecosystem and people living at lower altitudes.

Iron oxyhydroxide can be seen in this acid mine drainage.
(Taken from http://phys.org/news/2012-10-indiana-coal-
reclamation-years.html)

The term 'acid mine drainage' is used to describe the surface runoff that flows through mining sites. The drainage contains acid that is formed when rainwater mixes with sulphur compounds in the soil. The acidity dissolves compounds which contain heavy metals like lead, copper and mercury. As it flows down into rivers, the people and organisms will get affected.

(Taken from http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march112010/
myths-water-rb.php)

Mining sites collect stagnant water, which are potential mosquito breeding areas.

The picture on the right shows the Berkeley Pit. The mine has stopped operations since 1982 and is now filled with groundwater.


Mining is devastating to the environment. However, the people who benefit most from mining are mostly unaware of such devastation. Will heightened awareness help to reduce mining? In my next post, I will discuss the methods used to reduce negative impacts of mining, and alternatives to mining.


References

Book about Indiana coal mine reclamation compiles years of research (Book about Indiana coal mine reclamation compiles years of research)

http://phys.org/news/2012-10-indiana-coal-reclamation-years.html

Environmental Impact of Strip Mining (Bright Hub)

http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/19087.aspx

Methods of Mining. University of Kentucky (Methods of Mining. University of Kentucky)

https://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/coal_mining.htm

Sierra Leone Mining and Environment (LEONE Case) (SIERRA LEONE MINING)

http://www1.american.edu/ted/LEONE.HTM

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.sosbluewaters.org/epa-what-is-acid-mine-drainage%5B1%5D.pdf