MINING

So, do you know what mining is and how it is useful to us but also harmful at the
same time?

Everything we have today has its pros and cons.

Well, now what we are going to read about is mining. Today we are going to discuss
what is mining and its types, impacts of mining on the environment and people,
strategies to mitigate the impacts of mining. So let me start with a basic statement:
The modern world simply can't function without mining; Mineral products are
essential components for cell phones, cars, energy towers, solar panels, wind turbines,
fertilizers, machinery and all kinds of construction.

Mining: If it can't be grown, it has to be mined. In addition, mining is economically

important for producing regions and countries but at the same time mining contributes
to erosion, sinkholes, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, significant use of water
resources, dammed rivers and ponded waters, wastewater disposal issues, acid mine
drainage and contamination of soil, ground and surface water, all of which can lead to
health issues in neighbourhoods. Ever given it a thought - what if we stop mining?
Well, if we stop mining then, we won’t have automobiles, electricity, 27 States would
lose 25% of their electricity output and most importantly NO HOME!

So, let's start with what is mining and its type.

Mining is the process of extraction (taking out) of minerals from a rock.

There are two main methods of mining –

1. Surface mining

2. Underground mining

Surface Mining – This method of mining is used to extract minerals that are near the
surface of the Earth. There are three basic types of surface mining: Open-pit mining,
Strip mining and quarry mining.
 1. Open-pit mining - involves extraction
from what looks like a terrace. Cuts are
made into the ground and mining is
done there. Once the minerals and
waste are removed from that level,
excavation moves down a level and
work begins there. Iron, copper, gold and aluminium are mined by this method.

2.Strip Mining - is a form of surface mining that is primarily used for coal
extraction. The rock containing minerals is removed one strip at a time. Once the
rock is removed from one strip, a second strip is cut next to it and this goes on till
the rock (ore) containing minerals is exhausted.

3.Quarry Mining – sand, gravel, clay and granite are mined by quarry mining.
Rocks are blasted to create cracks and then reduced by crushing machines and
separated according to size.

Underground Mining – Some minerals are found very deep below the earth’s
surface sometimes hundreds or thousands of feet deep! To extract these
minerals from the ground following stages are involved:

1. A long tunnel is created either horizontally or vertically.

2. The walls of these tunnels are made stronger with wood and ventilation
shafts are created to provide air to the miners.
3. The rock containing minerals are blasted and loose material is brought to the
surface.
4. Minerals are then transported in trucks or trains.
 Impacts of mining on Environment

 Air – All methods of mining

affect the quality of air.
Particles of minerals such as
lead, cadmium and arsenic
are released into the air when
vegetation is removed, soil is
dug up and rock pieces are
transported. These pieces
when inhaled are absorbed by
the skin or inserted causing
many diseases. Mining like
most heavy industries, is dependent on fossil fuels to generate energy to
operate the mine. Burning of fossil fuels generate a lot of carbon dioxide
which leads to global warming and formation of acid rain.
 Land – mining spoils the beauty of a place, especially open cast mining.
Large heaps of rock pieces piled up on the site of a mine are an
unpleasant sight. Mining leads to deforestation due to which many
animals lose their shelter. This leads to loss of biodiversity.
 Water – A number of chemicals is used to dissolve minerals present in
rocks and even when a rock is crushed, radioactive elements such as
uranium reach water bodies. These chemicals alter the water quality and
make it unfit for agriculture and human use.

Impacts of mining on People

 Negative

People living near mines are affected by noise, air and water pollution. All
kinds of pollution caused by mining affect human health and their well-being.

Air supply in underground mines is bad which causes breathing and chest
problems.

Life expectancy in miners is very low. Many die at a very young age.
  Positive

Provides employment / jobs

Provides minerals that can be exported to avoid the need to it import from other
countries.

Provides roads, electricity and other services to the people living in rural areas.

Let’s just take a quick real-life example of what you just read (Case Study).

Bellary in Karnataka is famous for its mining activities. Recently, Supreme

Court banned the same in the district. Bellary with an area of 8447sq. km has
132 mines, while Goa with only 3302 sq. km area has 336 mines. The effects
are being felt by the rural population.

One of villages, Shirago, in North Goa has 3 mines. Villagers remember the
time when the hills and plains were once lush green with rice, cashew, and
mango and kokum plantation.

 Mining pits are as deep as 60 meters below the sea level that has caused
the salt water of the sea to mix into the ground water.
 Trucks carrying minerals pass every two minutes on the main road
leaving a trail of dust in the air.

Mining has polluted most

of the potable water
rendering it undrinkable.
More than 27 mines operate
near Mandovi River, the
state’s largest river. Huge
heaps of mineral ore are
found on the banks of this
river. Due to runoff from
the riverside mining.70,000
tonnes of iron particles get deposited in Mandovi every year. Khandepar
River which supplies water to 30% population of Goa has turbidity
level.10 times the capacity of its water treatment plant.
 Strategies to mitigate the impacts of mining

The word mitigation means to reduce the severity of an act through the
actions of individuals, governments and corporate houses. Mining in the
early days took place at a time when environmental impacts were not as
well understood and more importantly were not a matter of concern.

1. Reclamation of land - is a process of restoring the land as it was before

mining activities. Various techniques are used depending upon the level of
damage caused due to mining activities. Stages of land reclamation activity
are: -

a. Removing the debris of rocks after the closure of mining.

b. Filling the holes after mining is over.

c. Bulldozers can be used to smooth out the surface.

d. Trees, grasses and shelter belts can be planted.

e. Farmers may be able to use the land again.

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2. Reducing the consumption of minerals - we should use public transport.

Rapid growth has disproportionately increased the demand for minerals,
 which is not sustainable development and extraction of minerals, impacts of
mining can be reduced.
3. Miners should be trained - to extract minerals through the latest
technology so their wastage is less.
4. Regulations and legislation to reduce environmental impacts - permit
mining should be strictly followed and fines and cancellation of licenses to
mine should be exercised
5. Using Recycled minerals - If the minerals in discarded debris are recycled
need to extract more minerals from the ground will be reduced. For
example, cans are recycled then less tin needs to be mined to make new
tins.
6. Substituting minerals – Mineral which are easily available and are
abundant, should be used more instead of the ones which are difficult to
obtain.
7. Green Technology – Recently introduced green technology should be used
widely with the involvement of governments’ regulations.

Here is a table differentiating between old and new methods

Technology Old method New method

Power use and Large amounts of power
Emissions were necessary. A lot of
fossil fuels were used.
Water Use / wastewater Huge amounts of freshwater
production had to be pumped to the site
for use.
A lot of wastewaters then
had to be pumped miles
away to evaporation ponds.
Tailings (waste Mine tailings needed to be
left after extraction of stored behind tailing dams
minerals) along with the waste water.
The mining site should have
its own heat and power
plant running on natural gas.
Almost all the water brought
to the site should be recycled.
Evaporation ponds should be
eliminated and the use of
freshwater will be reduced
by 90%.
Water should be removed and
recycled from the tailings to
create a paste. The paste
should be layered and its
impact on environment will
be reduced.
Air Emissions Harmful chemical was
emitted into the atmosphere
from
previous methods
The harmful chemicals will
still be produced but now
there is gas treatment
plants to minimize carbon
dioxide and other chemical
emissions.

AMUDHA C.
ROLL.NO 3
7C IGCSE