Possible environmental impacts of irresponsible mining:

- Improper mining can cause flooding, erosion, subsidence, water and air pollution,
damage to wildlife and habitat.

Measures to prevent or mitigate the harmful effects of irresponsible mining:

- Topsoil replacement using uncontaminated soil; reintroduction of flora and fauna;
neutralizing acidic waters; backfilling and sealing of abandoned underground mines;
stabilizing the slope of impacted area to reduce erosion, etc.

Government (environmental laws) and other organizations in the

implementation of environmental programs:
-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB),
Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), other environmental, non-
government organizations that promote environmental awareness and protection in
relation to mining.

1. What is the importance of the different stages of exploration?

Answer: The different stages of mineral exploration allow the investor to systematically
evaluate the potential and marketability of having a mineral project. Knowledge about the
project is increased at every stage, and this knowledge serves as the basis whether to
proceed with the project or not.

2. In a newly acquired mineral project for exploration, is it possible to

immediately drill in the area even without any subsurface?
Answer: Yes, especially if the property has a good mineralized outcrops or exposure of
mineralization on the surface. However, this is a bit risky for projects without surface
manifestations of mineralization.

3. Describe some methods used in surface mining.

Answer: Open pit creates big hole in the ground from which the ore is mined. Quarry is a
type of open pit mine usually associated with the mining of non-metallic resources such
as limestone, sand and gravel. Ore is removed in strips in a strip mining method. Ore can
be extracted in strips as in strip mining.

4. An open-pit mine may in the future be converted into an underground mine.

Why would this happen?
Answer: When all the minerals at or near the surface have been extracted, and when the
lateral extent of the project area cannot hold the stability of slopes as mining gets deeper,
the only way to mine the deeper extent of the orebody is to go underground.

5. Enumerate several ways to rehabilitate a mined-out area.

Answer: Topsoil replacement using uncontaminated soil; reintroduction of flora and fauna;
neutralizing acidic waters; backfilling and sealing underground mines; changing the slope
of impacted area to reduce erosion; etc.

6. How is it possible for materials presently considered as waste become

economically mineable in the future?
Answer: Economics play a great role in mining and mineral/metal prices are usually
dictated by supply and demand. When supply is high and demand is low, metal prices
drop, hence the need to mine only high grade ores. But when demand is high, even the
low grade ores are being mined or are mixed to high grade ores to achieve economically
profitable product.