Mining environment and mining environment protection

Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or (coal) seam.

Mining refers to the process of extracting metals and minerals from the earth. Gold, silver, diamond, iron, coal and uranium are just a few of the vast array of metals and minerals that are obtained by this process. In fact, mining is the source of all the substances that cannot be obtained by industrial processes or through agriculture. Mining reaps huge profits for the companies that own them and provides employment to a large number of people. It is also a huge source of revenue for the government. Despite its economic importance, the question that how does mining affect the environment is a pressing environmental issue.

Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. In some cases, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of mines to increase the available room for the storage of the created debris and soil. Contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals can also affect the health of the local population if not properly controlled. Extreme examples of pollution from mining activities include coal fires, which can last for years or even decades, producing massive amounts of environmental damage.

Excellence in environmental performance is essential to our business success. Compliance with all environmental laws and regulations is the minimum foundation on which we build our environmental performance. We support and encourage further action by helping to develop and implement internationally recognised management systems and voluntary commitments.We similarly approach a comprehensive understanding of the full life cycle and safe use of our products to ensure all their benefits are delivered.

Mining companies supply the metals and minerals that humanity uses for shelter, survival, work and pleasure, as well as the expansion into space and interplanetary endeavors. At the same time, they want to conduct this business in an environmentally responsible manner. Yet mining by its very nature requires that land, air and water systems be disturbed. While the economic benefits of the industry are as important today as they ever were, the public has become increasingly concerned about the impact that mining is having on the natural environment.

The challenge for companies is to find, extract and process mineral resources with the least possible disruption to the environment. To meet this challenge, they adopt a broad range of protective measures, including: sensitive treatment of the land during exploration; environmental and aesthetic management of land under development; environmentally sustainable production procedures during the mining and metallurgical processes; and decommissioning and reclamation practices aimed at restoring the land.

Accountability and environmental performance are important issues for the mining companies, their share-holders and the public. Most companies now include a discussion of environmental topics in their yearly reports so as to keep shareholders and the public informed about the measures they are taking to protect the land, water and air quality at their operations.