How open-pit mining affects the environment?

How open-pit mining affects the environment?

Mining is widely regarded as having adverse effects on environment of both magnitude and diversity. Some of these effects include erosion, formation of sinkhole, biodiversity loss and contamination of groundwater by chemical from the mining process in general and open-pit mining in particular.

Is open-pit mining good for the environment?

Open pit mining — or strip mining — is an extraction process for ore or fossil fuels that takes place at the surface of a mining site. Unfortunately, this economy comes with a strict environmental cost because the surface environment is destroyed and polluted during the mining process.

What are the harmful effects of open-pit mining?

Among the major concerns about open-pit mining are the change in landform, the generation of an acid mine drainage, and the deprivation of water supply.

What are 2/3 environmental problems caused by underground mining?

Environmental effects of mining can occur at local, regional, and global scales through direct and indirect mining practices. The effects can result in erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, or the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by the chemicals emitted from mining processes.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of open-pit mining?

1.1 Features, technical and economic indicators of open pit development

Advantages Disadvantages
High production rate (essentially unlimited, although small surface mines also possible) Limited by stripping ratio
Lowest cost along with open cast mining High capital investment associated with large equipment

How does mining harm the environment?

Across the world, 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 local …

How does mining minerals affect the environment?

Mining is the extraction of minerals and other geological materials of economic value from deposits on the Earth. Mining adversely affects the environment by inducing loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and contamination of surface water, groundwater, and soil. Mining can also trigger the formation of sinkholes.

What are two environmental problems with underground mining?

The effects can result in erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, or the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by the chemicals emitted from mining processes.

How does mining affect global warming?

Explanation: Mining often involves large diesel trucks and loaders running around emitting CO2, which is the main contributor to anthropogenic climate change. Also, cutting trees down to make way for mining operations does reduce the value trees having in absorbing CO2 put into the atmosphere.

Is underground mining bad for the environment?

New geologic studies suggest that underground min ing of coal may cause more environmental damage over long periods of time than surface strip mining followed by proper reclamation, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).