Impacts of Mining, Mining Regulations & Mine Reclamation

Do Now! Environmental Impacts of Mining What are some environmental impacts associated with mining?

Environmental Impacts of Mining Air and noise pollution Water pollution Displacement of wildlife Erosion and sedimentation Soil degradation Subsidence Because the environmental impacts are so great, mining is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the US!

Air and Noise Pollution Dust is produced by removing, loading, hauling, and dumping soil and overburden Dust is also produced from ore blasting Noise is created by equipment and blasting Think! How do you think noise pollution caused by equipment and noise pollution caused by blasting differ?

Air and Noise Pollution Equipment noise pollution is more of a nuisance. Blasting noise pollution can cause damage to nearby buildings. Think!  How do you think air and noise pollution are regulated?

Air and Noise Pollution Regulation Most surface mines are not located near urban populations Regulations in US forbid mining operations to allow dust or noise to exit the area being mined

Water Contamination Water that seeps into mines or through piles of rock can pick up or dissolve toxic substances Containments can then wash into streams where they can harm or kill aquatic life Think!  What do you think happens when water is contaminated with a mineral like sulfur?  What regulations do you think exist to combat water contamination?

Water Contamination & Regulation Minerals that contain a lot of sulfur and react with oxygen and water to produce dilute sulfuric acid Contaiminated water from this process called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Regulations in the US require companies to dispose of acid- producing rock in ways that prevent water contamination

Displacement of wildlife Removing soil from a surface mine site strips away all plant life. Without plants, animals will leave the area. Dredging disturbs river bottoms and destroys aquatic plant life. Think!  What do you think happens when soil is returned to a surface mine site?

Displacement of wildlife When the soil is returned to the site different plants and animals may establish themselves, creating a new ecosystem.

Erosion and Sedimentation Excess rock from mines is dumped into large piles called dumps. Running water erodes unprotected dumps and may harm water quality and aquatic life

Soil Degradation Soil at a mine is removed from the uppermost layer downward. Soil must be stores in layers with the upper layers stored above lower layers. Think!  What do you think happens if the soil is not removed and stored properly?

Soil Degradation Soil must be removed and stored properly or it can be depleted of nutrients when it is reclaimed. Deeper soil layers may also contain sulfur. Think!  What might happens to sulfur compounds in the soil?  How might this affect plant growth?

Subsidence The sinking of regions of ground with little or no horizontal movement. Caused when pillars in a mind collapse or the mine roof or floor fails Think!  What are some hazards that may result from subsidence?

Subsidence Buildings, houses, roads, bridges, underground pipelines and utilities may be damaged Explosions, fires Loss of wildlife or human life

Underground Mine Fires Fires in underground coal seams are one of the most serious environmental consequences of coal mining Lighting, forest fires and burning trash can cause coal-seam fires. Think!  What are some of the problems with underground mine fires?

Underground Mine Fires These fires are hard to put out and often left to burn out (which may take decades). They release smoke and gasses that can cause respiratory problems.

The General Mining Act (GMA, 1872) Signed by President Ulysses S. Grant. Allowed miners who claimed minerals on federal public land to decide where, when, and how to mine. They had absolute right to mine without standards in place for prudent mine operations, mine site cleanup, reclamation or restoration, or financial responsibility. Put in place to promote development and settlement of public owned land in the Western U.S. Due to the impact on the environment, mining is the most heavily regulated industry in the US.

Mining Regulations Mines on land in the US are regulated by federal and state laws. States must issue permits for mining, run inspections, and address noncompliance. Think!  What federal regulations exist to control negative impacts mining has on the environment?

Mining Regulations The Clean Water Act (CWA, 1972) &The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA, 1974 ) – Regulates discharge of pollutants and quality standards of surface waters in the U.S. – Ensures the quality of drinking water The Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act (CRCLA, 1980) – Regulates the release of hazardous substances into air, soil, & water The Endangered Species Act (ESP, 1973) – Protects threatened & endangered species and their habitats

The Surface Mining control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA, 1977) Ensured reclaiming of the land- returning it to its original or better condition after mining. Billions of dollars are spent to clean up abandoned mines. – Set standards to minimize the effects of coal mining on environment – Established funds used to reclaim land and water resources adversely affected by mining

Mine Reclamation Before After

Before After

Before After