How Does Mining Affect The Environment?
Have you considered the grave impact of mining on the environment? Research has shown that Mining is one of the major causes of environmental degradation in the world. This ranges from deforestation, either by burning or clearing of the vegetation or by use of heavy machines such as excavators and bulldozers to clear and extract minerals form the soil. In the same vein, chemicals such as cyanide, mercury or methyl mercury are used to gather extractions. Sadly, these chemicals are usually discharge into rivers, streams, oceans and bays; hence they contaminate the environment and kill aquatic organisms, endanger the lives of those who depend on water as source of their domestic and economic livelihood.
Whatever the scale of mining, there is always a destructive effect to the environment. It is necessary to note the two types of small scale mining.
Land Dredging: The excavation of mining site with the use of generator is called LAND DREDGING. Miners use high pressure pipe to expose gold layers along the soil horizon. Then, the mineral slurry is forced into a sluice box that receives the particles, while the tailings find its way into the forest. The dams cause stagnant pools of water which serves as breeding sites for mosquitoes and other insects. In essence, this brings about malaria outbreak and other water-borne disease in the surrounding environment.
River Dredging: On the other hand, RIVER DREDGING means mining along river course. Here, miners use hydraulic suction pipe. Then, the gravel and mud, which join the tailings, is suctioned along the river course. And gold fragments are received on the felt mat. The remaining particles and dirt are expected to go back into the points where they were excavated thereby destroying the ecosystem, killing aquatic organisms and famishing those that depend on rivers for survival.