What is Definition of Subsurface Mining?
Before understanding subsurface mining environmental impacts, you must have information about the definition of subsurface mining. Subsurface mining is a general term for mining with tunnels. Generally, it is suitable for deposits where the ore body is buried deeply and is not suitable for open-pit mining economically and technically. This is the definition of subsurface mining.
Different Types of Subsurface Mining
Do you know that are many types of subsurface mining. If no, then you should have a look at those types:
- Strip Mining
- Open-Pit Mining
- Mountaintop Removal
- Dredging
- Highwall Mining
Subsurface Mining Environmental Impact
After understanding all about definition of subsurface mining, you must know environmental impacts of subsurface mining. If you want to know more about it, you must check out below information.
Change PH level of water and soil
The subsurface mining environmental impact has a profound impacts in terms of acid drainage. To perform the subsurface mining methods, the team has to use a large amount of water which they all get from underground. They all use that for clearing system of tunnels and even mine shafts. The water that goes inside the surface is more acidic, and it also changes the PH levels of soil and water.
Harmful for the aquatic animals
The second subsurface mining environmental impact is harmful to aquatic animals. In few mining operations done in Mexico and California, they show a significant impact on the aquatic life as it all affects the PH levels of water, which directly made fishes and other marine animals die.
Wastage of land
The third aspect of subsurface mining environmental impact is the waste of land. There are many examples of this situation. There is no possibility of developing agriculture, and human beings cannot live in these places. Despite this, people in the area were forced to leave their hometowns for underground mining processes.
Impact quality of air
The fourth aspect of subsurface mining environmental impact is the impact on air quality. As in the subsurface mining process, many rocks are destroyed, crushed, or moved from one place to the other. It all increases the amount of dust within the air which directly harms the quality of air. Besides this, there are many toxic wastes, which gets mixed to the environment and it make it worse for living.
Not suitable for human health
The fifth aspect of subsurface mining environmental impact is to endanger human health. Mining can cause many harmful effects on the human body as per recent studies. It has been observed that mining can create human diseases and even causes health problems related to the mortality. The death rate among the mining area is relatively high as compared to the other areas. Even the health problem related to the cancer is also quite common at those places.
Not good for wildlife
The sixth subsurface mining environmental impact is unfriendly to wildlife. As the process of mining or whether it is subsurface coal mining or any other, it involves the usage of heavy-load equipment, which make the wildlife dislocate from their location and even leads to the death of various animals. Animals also died after drinking the contaminated water. Recently around 340 fishes found dead at the areas of Montana after eating contaminated algae from the rivers. Even though, it has also killed major plants, which are found within the water.
Causes Soil Erosion
The seventh aspect of subsurface mining environmental impact is soil erosion. Subsurface mining will also cause problems related to soil erosion, which are related to floods and even land sliding.
How Can This Impact Be Minimized?
After understanding the impact of the subsurface mining environmental impacts, now it is the time when we need to understand how subsurface mining environmental impact can be minimized. So, let’s check out all such ideas which can help in reducing its impact.
Reduce input
As there is a huge usage of the water within the subsurface mining process and preventing water pollution, it is very important to reduce the input. Even though, while changing the flow of the surface water, the quality of the water can be maintained.
Reduce output
A lot of wastage is there in the process of the surface mining and subsurface mining. Such wastage includes solid wastage, air particles, and even mine water wastage. There must be some wastage management plans which are beneficial in reducing the output.
Proper wastage disposable
There must be proper disposable of the waste, which can be only possible while keeping some of the guidelines in mind. The mining companies need to focus on all such equipment, which helps dispose of the waste material.
Must understand the value of the environment
To protect the environment, it is very much important that the mining companies must understand the value of the environment. Even though their workers also need to realise how they are harming the environment and its impact in the future.
Close shut down mines
The mines which are already closed are also very much dangerous to the environment. So, it is very much important to shut down all such mines. To protect the environment, it is very much essential to restore the area across the mine.
Final words
We hope you have understood the definition of subsurface mining and all subsurface mining environmental impacts. If you are very concerned about the environment, we believe that the above information is very beneficial to you. Therefore, let others know about subsurface mining environmental impacts to keep the environment safe and healthy.
