Mining Impacts on Ecosystems and the Environment
Mining activities have a significant impact on the environment, ecosystems and local communities. From deforestation to water pollution to air pollution, the human and environmental implications of mining activities are wide-reaching. With technological advances and industrial development, the environmental impacts of mining have become increasingly more damaging in both quantity and severity with greater consequences for future generations.
Albeit necessary for economic development, conventional mining activities are often highly damaging to the environment; deforestation, land degradation, water and air pollution, and the displacement of local communities are just some of the negative effects of the industry. Unless efforts are taken to properly manage and control these activities, the ecological and health impacts of mining can be long-term and catastrophic.
The activities that take place in the entire mining chain include exploration, extraction and disposal of overburden, ore processing, waste disposal, and reclamation. Each of these activities has the potential to disrupt the social and physical environment and cause long-term damage.
Deforestation and land degradation
Deforestation is a necessary consequence of mining activities, as forests must be cleared to accommodate mines. This deforestation can have a drastic impact on biodiversity, causing an increase in species extinction and a fragmentation of important habitats. The loss of vegetation can also lead to soil erosion, resulting in habitat loss, water pollution, and sedimentation.
Water Pollution
The most serious environmental consequences of mining activities is water pollution. Mine tailings, the by-products of mining, are released into water sources, which significantly decreases water quality. Mining waste is composed of a variety of heavy metals, organic compounds, and radioactive elements, which are known to contaminate water sources and attack aquatic ecosystems. The direct disposal of wastewater into rivers or lakes, leaching of contaminants from tailings, and build-up of acidity from acid mine drainage are just some of the ways in which water pollution can be caused.
Air Pollution
Air pollution is another important environmental implication of mining activities. Gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere due to diesel-fuelled equipment used and burning of coal in the smelting process. Heavy metals, such as mercury, can also escape into the air from tailings. The consequences can be severe for human health, ranging from difficulty breathing to asthma to lung cancer.
Displacement of locals
Finally, the displacement of local communities is another negative environmental impact of mining activities. The areas of land and water that are required by mining operations can be large, leaving local communities with fewer options for using the land. This can lead to clashes between miners and the local population, resulting in further displacement and destruction of traditional livelihoods.
For the aforementioned reasons, the total loss rate associated with mining is increasing. The direct and indirect environmental impacts of mining activities, combined with weaker regulation of the industry, are leading to lasting damage to both human and environmental health. This is compounded by governments and mining companies who do not take sufficient steps in remediation, leading to long-term ecological damage and a significant increase in total loss rates.
