Environmental impacts of mineral exploitation

Question 1

What is the impact of exploration on the environment

Answer 1

Exploration disturbs wildlife

Question 2

How can the impact of exploration on the environment be reduced

Answer 2

Assess what organisms are present and if they would be affected.
Depending on the organisms present it could lead to restrictions on surveying techniques

Question 3

What is the impact of habitat loss

Answer 3

• Reduced biodiversity
• Habitat fragmentation
• Migration of organisms
• Local extinction of organisms

Question 4

How can the impact of habitat loss be reduced
(example)

Answer 4

• Habitat creation
  E.g - loss of woodland = afforestation
• Trap and move important organisms to new locations

Question 5

What is the impact of loss of amenity on the environment

Answer 5

Loss community value
E.g- football pitches or woodland (for dog walking)

Question 6

How can the impact of loss of amenity be reduced

Answer 6

• Produce amenity elsewhere
• After mining turn land back to its amenity
  use
• tree planting

Question 7

What is the impact of air pollution on the environment

Answer 7

Dust (particulates) in the air

Question 8

How can the impact of air pollution on the environment be reduced

Answer 8

Water sprays can be used around the mining sites specifically around the openings and vehicles can also be sprayed with water as it makes the particulates heavier so they settle

Question 9

What is the impact of noise pollution on the environment

Answer 9

• Could cause migration
• Interfere with mates and young

Question 10

How can the impact of noise pollution be reduced

Answer 10

Restrictions on times of mining can be made (nighttime)
No mining dying breeding seasons

Question 11

What is the impact of increased turbidity on the environment

Answer 11

Particulates in the water make water look murky and cloudy which means there is less light penetration which means less photosynthesis
Which means there is a reduced ability to find foods

Question 12

How can the impact of increased turbidity on the environment be reduced

Answer 12

Sedimentation tanks which allow the particles to settle

Question 13

What is the impact of toxic leachate on the environment

Answer 13

Toxic to most living things (plants and animals)

Question 14

How can the impact of toxic leachate on the environment be reduced

Answer 14

Divert and treat the liquid
Percolate the liquid through crushed limestone (alkali) so the metals come out of solution

Question 15

What is toxic leachate

Answer 15

Liquid that contains heavy metals that are in solution as the acidic conditions can cause the metals to dissolve

Question 16

What is the impact of spoil disposal on the environment

Answer 16

Dumped waste from mining in a field
Which is left a s spoil heaps which becomes toxic leachates and is unstable

Question 17

How can the impact of spoil disposal on the environment be reduced

Answer 17

Put the spoil back into the ground.
Or add nutrients and add tip soil which will encourage plant growth

Question 18

What is the impact of transport nuisance on the environment

Answer 18

Transport of materials from mining sites are noisy

Question 19

How can the impact of transport nuisance on the environment be reduced

Answer 19

Fine restrictions and restricted routes (designated routes) to reduce disturbance

Question 20

What is the impact of flooding on the environment

Answer 20

Water that is pumped out of mines
Abstracted water into the oceans / major rivers

Question 21

How can the impact of flooding on the environment be reduced

Answer 21

Restrict and divert where water goes
(Into an agreed location)

Question 22

What is the impact of subsidence’s on the environment

Answer 22

Ground sinks

Question 23

How can the impact of subsidence on the environment be reduced

Answer 23

Return spoil to avoid ground sinking
Fill the voids in
Carbon capture storage