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Acid Mine Drainage Formation, Dissemination and Control: Mining and Hydrological Perspectives
Published in Geoffrey S. Simate, Sehliselo Ndlovu, Acid Mine Drainage, 2021
The mining industry plays a key role in the global economy through the provision of industrial raw materials, contribution to gross domestic product, and employment creation (Golev et al., 2016). Moreover, according to a World Bank report, minerals such as gold are estimated to have a multiplier factor of about 1.7 to 1.8, indicating that for each mining job, the sector creates an additional 1.7 to 1.8 jobs through expenditure effects and backward linkages (Chuhan-Pole et al., 2017). It must be noted, however, that the mine project cycle consists of several steps and activities, including: (1) prefeasibility studies, (2) exploration, (3) design and engineering, (4) construction, (5) extraction and processing, and (6) mine decommissioning and closure (Durucan et al., 2006). Without proper planning, these mining activities can cause significant adverse impacts on the biophysical environment. Specifically, mining activities may cause land degradation via: (1) disruption of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity, (2) changes in surface and groundwater hydrology, and (3) environmental pollution, including acid mine drainage (AMD) (Ochieng et al., 2010).
Overview
Published in Sehliselo Ndlovu, Geoffrey S. Simate, Elias Matinde, Waste Production and Utilization in the Metal Extraction Industry, 2017
Sehliselo Ndlovu, Geoffrey S. Simate, Elias Matinde
Mining is a complex process whose activities range from exploration, mine development, mineral extraction, mineral processing (mineral beneficiation), refining and reclamation and remediation (for mine closure). It also covers a wide range of mineral commodities, including copper, iron, gold, nickel, lead, zinc and diamonds. These metals and minerals are the primary raw materials used in many industrial applications and thus are essential to the world economy. Copper, for example, is essential to the electronics and construction industries, while iron ore provides the base material for the steel, automotive and transportation industries. However, the extraction and beneficiation of these minerals from raw ore lead to the generation of large quantities and different types of waste. The effect of some of these wastes on the environment is dire and may also threaten the health and safety of humans. This book discusses the different types of mine waste generated and recovery thereof during the mining process right from the mineral extraction to the beneficiation and recovery processes to the manufacturing of finished products. This introductory chapter is a preamble to that discussion.
Mining and the Environment
Published in Sheila Devasahayam, Kim Dowling, Manoj K. Mahapatra, Sustainability in the Mineral and Energy Sectors, 2016
Greg You, Dakshith Ruvin Wijesinghe
Mining can be explained as the extraction of minerals, in solid, liquid or gaseous form, from the earth’s crust (Bell and Donnelly, 2006). In any type of mining activity, the occurrence of environmental degradation can befall at the very first stages during the exploration. The first and foremost impact is the visual distress aroused by the destruction of land. Once a mine is established, noise, dust and vibration can be generated from the mining operations. In the case of underground mining, ground subsidence may occur. Furthermore, degradation of watercourses, mine flooding, AMD, air pollution, mine fire, sedimentation and erosion are among the major environmental issues that may be associated with mining. Finally, inadequate mine waste disposal can cause environmental degradation (Sengupta, 1993; Mitchell et al., 1994). Therefore, reducing the environmental impacts of mining should be treated as one of the prime focuses in ensuring sustainability of mining and its environment.
A review of chromite mining in Sukinda Valley of India: impact and potential remediation measures
Published in International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2020
Suman Nayak, Rangabhashiyam S, Balasubramanian P, Paresh Kale
There are about 35 metals found on Earth, of which 23 are heavy metals. Chromium can be found in six different forms and is readily released to the environment. It is of immense concern for human health due to their residential or occupational exposure (Jaishankar et al. 2014). The most significant and hazardous impact of chromium is from the mining projects. It affects the soil, air and water resources within the mining sites through acid drainage, erosion of soils and mine wastes, and contaminant leaching (Sharma et al. 2012). Chromium enters the ecosystem through anthropogenic activities such as untreated industrial discharge, dumping of solid waste, electroplating, dye, and pigment manufacture, wood preservations, refractory wastes solar cells, and leather tanning industries, etc. (Sharma et al. 2012). The generation of chromium and its presence in different ecological niches (Air, water and soil) around Sukinda along with their permissible limits set by various health agencies across the globe are listed in Table 2. The potential hazardous impacts of toxic Cr forms on all aspects of biodiversity are described in Figure 2.