All Flashcards
How can land reclamation help mitigate the impacts of mining?
Restoring mined land to a more natural state can help re-establish habitats and reduce soil erosion.
How can water treatment systems help mitigate the impacts of mining?
Water treatment systems can remove pollutants and sediments from mine runoff, reducing water contamination.
How can reducing mineral consumption help mitigate the impacts of mining?
Reducing demand for minerals lowers the need for extensive mining operations, lessening environmental damage.
How can recycling minerals help protect the environment?
Recycling reduces the need to mine for new resources, decreasing habitat destruction and pollution.
What are the general steps of open-pit mining?
- Remove overburden. 2. Extract minerals. 3. Process minerals. 4. Manage waste.
What are the general steps of strip mining?
- Remove overburden in strips. 2. Extract minerals (like coal). 3. Replace overburden. 4. Reclaim the land.
What are the general steps of heap leaching?
- Pile ore into heaps. 2. Apply chemical solutions. 3. Collect mineral-rich solution. 4. Extract minerals from the solution.
What is a major environmental cause of coal mining?
Water contamination and dust/methane production.
What is the effect of tailings and waste rock on the environment?
Heavy metals can leach into soil and water, causing contamination.
What is the effect of mining operations on local communities?
Mining operations degrade land and destroy natural landscapes.
What is the impact of removing vegetation and topsoil?
Destroys habitats for local species.