MINING

OverviewSteps Description Environmental

Effects

Mining Removing mineral resources from the ground

• Mine wastes – acids and toxins• Displacement of

native species• Reclamation of

land and recycling

Processing Removing ore from mined material

• Pollution• Human health

concerns

Use Distribution to end user

• Price• Amount of ore• Concentration• Mining type• Transportation costs• Reclamation

Will Site be Profitable?

• Site development– Roads– Equipment

Extraction

• Surface Mining– Pros:

• Safer• Cost effective

– Cons• Removal of surface material• Lots of waste material• Ground and surface water issues• Reclamation costs

Extraction

• Underground Mining– Pros

• Less surface destruction• Less waste material• Lower reclamation cost

– Cons• Unsafe

Extraction

• Intensive chemical processing

• Often uses extreme heat and toxic chemicals

• Chemical frequently leak into ground water

Processing

• Acid Mine Drainage– Acidic solution

formed– All forms of mining– Enters groundwater

and surface water– Damaging to fish

and plant communities

Environmental Impact

• Erosion Sedimentation– Loosened surface

material washes into surface water

– Amounts vary:• Amount disturbed,

vegetation, soil, slope– Mainly surface mining– Most damaging to

surface waters and wetlands

– Harmful to plants, fish, and soil organisms

Environmental Impacts

• Toxic Compound Leachate– Compounds used to extract resources– Usually stored in retention ponds

• ponds leak into groundwater• Animals attracted to pond

– Slag leach• Compounds leak from “treated” rock

– Toxic to all organisms – plants, fish, soil organisms

Environmental Impact

• Habitat Modification– Process requires

modification to surrounding areas

– Aquatic, terrestrial, wetlands

• Water Usage– Often requires massive

quantities– Results in drawdown or

reduced surface flow– “Treated” water often

returned to system

Environmental Impact

• Restoring the land to its original contours and replanting vegetation.

• Required by law (SMCRA 1977)• Expensive

Reclamation