Question

Explain any three harmful effects of mining.

Answer 1

Following are the harmful effects of mining:-

1. Destruction of Land: Mining activity can cause a considerable loss of land because of chemical contamination, destruction of productive layers of soil, and often permanent scarring of the land surface. Large mining operations disturb the land by directly removing material in some areas and by dumping waste in others. There can be a considerable loss of wildlife habitat.
   
2. Pollution: Mining operations often pollute the atmosphere, surface waters and ground water. Rainwater seeping through spoil heaps may become heavily contami­nated, acidic or turbid, with potentially devastating effects on nearby streams and rivers.
   
3. Impact on the Biological Environment: Physical changes in the land, soil, water and air associated with mining directly and indirectly affect the biological environment. Direct impacts include death of plants or animals caused by mining activity or contact with toxic soil or water from mines. Indirect impacts include changes in nutrient cycling, total biomass, species diversity, and ecosystem stability due to alterations in groundwater or surface water availability or quality.