Mining Techniques and Sources of Environmental Problems

Abstract

The types of pollution discussed here relate to relatively few processes (Fig. 2.1); however the precise nature of individual incidents depends upon the relative intensities of each component and how they are combined. In one consideration of environmental effects, the mineral mining industry was described as consisting of five stages (Ripley et al., 1979):

• Exploration — the geological, geochemical and geophysical surveying of an area to delimit ore bodies, plus an exploratory stripping or excavation

• Development — the preparation of the mine for production, including the building of access roads and surface facilities

• Extraction — ore removal activities

• Beneficiation — concentration of the ore from low or medium grade deposits. This usually occurs near the mine site and results in the removal of the ore from gangue

• Processing — carried out at any distance from the mine.