Bingham Canyon copper mine in Utah, USA

Copper mine in Timna Valley, Negev Desert, Israel

Mining Mining is a primary economic activity by which people extract minerals and natural resources from nature. Minerals mainly found in the parent Rock. Mining is an activity which has taken place for thousands of years from the time when man first learned the value of metals for making implements. The great development of this extractive industry came with the Industrial Revolution and the needs of our modern machine age. It becomes increasingly important as greater quantities of minerals are used. Many people though their number is comparatively small, earn a livelihood by mining.

Rock A compact and consolidated mass of mineral matter. Three types of rocks are recognized: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. There are 3 types of rock. Igneous rock Sedimentary rock Metamorphic rock

Igneous Rock Rocks formed by solidification of molten magma either beneath (intrusive igneous rock) or at (extrusive igneous rocks) the Earth's surface. Basalt Gabbro

Sedimentary Rock Rocks formed by the deposition, alteration and/or compression of weathered rock debris, chemical precipitates, or organic sediments. Clay stone deposited in Glacier Lake Sandstone

Metamorphic Rock A rock that forms from igneous, sedimentary or other metamorphic rocks through pressure increase, temperature rise, or chemical alteration. Quartzite: A Metamorphic Rock from Sandstone

Minerals Classification of minerals Hydrocarbons: crude oil, natural gas, coal Metallic Ores: iron, aluminum, copper, gold, silver, zinc etc. Precious stones: diamond, ruby etc. Parent rocks of hydrocarbons are mainly found in sedimentary rock. Parent rocks of metallic ores are found in metamorphic and igneous rock. But mostly found in metamorphic rock. But precious stone are only found in metamorphic rocks.

Uses of various minerals Copper: electric wire Lead: cables, batteries Bauxite: for making aluminum used for transport and domestic equipment Sulphur, salt and potash: used in chemical industry Nitrates, phosphates and potash: used in fertilizer for agriculture Gold and silver: jewellery Diamonds: jewellery and industrial uses for cutting

Simplified world active mining map

Effects of Mining on Environment

Hydraulic mining techniques are used for mining gold at Amazon Rainforest. The method involves blasting at the banks of the river which has caused irreversible damage to trees, birds and animals. While separating the sediment and mercury from the gold- yielding gravel deposits, small-scale miners who are less equipped than industrial miners, may ignore release of some mercury into the river. Highly poisonous compound 'cyanide' is also used to separate gold from sediment and rock.

Effect on Land Deforestation: Mining requires large areas of land to be cleared so that the earth could be dug into by the miners. For this reason, large-scale deforestation is required to be carried out in the areas where mining has to be done. Loss of Biodiversity: The forests that are cleared for mining purposes are home to a large number of organisms. Clearing of the forests leads to loss of habitat of a large number of animals. Pollution: Despite measures being taken to release the chemical waste into the nearby rivers through pipes, a large amount of chemicals still leak out onto the land.

Effect on Water Pollution: Chemicals like mercury, cyanide, sulfuric acid, arsenic and methyl mercury are used in various stages of mining. Most of the chemicals are released into nearby water bodies, and are responsible for water pollution. Loss of Aquatic Life: Release of toxic chemicals into the water is obviously harmful for the flora and fauna of the water bodies. Besides the pollution, mining processes require water from nearby water sources.

Lower Slate Lake in Alaska, before the Kensington Gold Mine's waste dumping and after