Environmental Impacts of Copper Extraction - Grasberg Mine, Indonesia Case Study

Question 1

Facts and figures

Answer 1

• Located in the province of Papua, Indonesia.
• Mining began in 1990, 2nd largest copper mine in the world.
• Produces around 230,000 tonnes of copper/day.
• Recently become renationalised (not owned by a TNC).

Question 2

Impacts of the construction of the mine.

Answer 2

• Digging the 4km-wide open pit required deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
• Millions of tonnes of rock dumped in Lake Wanagon, loss of aquatic ecosystem.
• Some types of exposed rock can react with oxygen and water to form an acid, killing vegetation.
• Toxic waste from refining process released into Aghawagon-Otomana-Aijkwa river.
• Copper accumulates in organisms so bioaccumulates/biomagnifies.
• Water draining into Arafura Sea, destroying coastal mangrove forests.

Question 3

Impact of the mine’s distribution networks.

Answer 3

• New infrastructure included a port, airport, new town, 121km access road, 109km pipeline to carry copper slurry from mine to port. Led to habitat destruction.
• Trucks, planes, and ships used to transport the copper and waste from the mine use fossil fuels, contributing to global warming and acid rain.