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What is the environmental significance of mining waste?
Mining waste contains toxic substances that can leach into soil and water, causing contamination and land degradation.
Explain the concept of land degradation in mining.
Storing mining waste degrades land, destroys natural landscapes, and disrupts ecosystems.
What is the significance of water contamination in mining?
Mining activities, especially coal mining, can contaminate water supplies with pollutants and dust, affecting water quality and human health.
What is the significance of overburden?
Overburden removal exposes the earth and can lead to habitat destruction and soil erosion.
What are the worker hazards associated with deep mining?
Deep mining operations are expensive and dangerous for workers due to risks of accidents, collapses, and exposure to toxic substances.
What is the main environmental concern regarding mining waste?
Toxic substances, land degradation, and water contamination.
Why is mountain top removal so destructive?
Causes massive habitat destruction and water pollution by leveling mountains.
What is a key difference between open-pit and underground mining?
Open-pit removes surface layer; underground accesses minerals deep below.
What are the main types of mining waste?
Overburden, tailings/slag, and waste rock.
What is the primary purpose of mining?
To extract valuable minerals and materials from the Earth.
Describe strip mining.
Removes overburden to extract minerals in strips, similar to open-pit but for shallower deposits.
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.