The Negative Impacts of Mining on the Environment

Mining is a multi-billion dollar industry. From coal to copper to diamonds, the mining industry produces several valuable commodities that the world and its people need.

However, mining by its very nature is destructive. It seeks to obtain these minerals by extracting them from the earth. Because of this, it has several negative impacts on the environment.

• Water pollution. Mining processes use enormous amounts of water and chemicals over the course of its process. If the resulting mixture of water and chemicals is not disposed of properly, it can contaminate bodies of water – bodies of water that may be the habitat for animals and/or a water source for people.
• Soil pollution. Similarly to water pollution, the chemicals used may also seep into the soil if not properly disposed of, contaminating the earth. This affects the viability of the soil to grow plants, and could be a health risk to both human and animal inhabitants of the area.
• Air pollution. Different toxic fumes will be released into the air during mining, be it from the chemicals used or the machines and equipment utilized. These air contaminants are even harder to contain, and could travel to residential areas near the mining project.
• Deforestation. Trees, shrubs and other plants need to be removed before the mining process can start digging for the minerals buried under the ground. Once the mining project is finished, it may be impossible to rehabilitate the forest if the area ends up polluted.
• Habitat modification. As mines are dug up, the surrounding areas are drastically affected. Erosion and sedimentation contribute to these changes, which either displace the organisms in these areas or makes it impossible for them to survive.

"The Mines of Future" by Aldo Mango is an eBook that delves deeper into the mining process – how the mining waste can be maintained and disposed of properly, how it can be recycled, and how all this can create a positive situation for the environment and the people instead of creating a negative one.

"The Mines of Future" is currently available in PDF format. Click on the link to preview the book or download your own copy.