Everything Science Grade 11

CHAPTER 9. THE LITHOSPHERE 9.5

Environmental impacts of gold mining ESBCQ

However, despite the incredible value of gold and its usefulness in a variety of applications, all mining
has an environmental cost. The following are just a few of the environmental impacts of gold mining:

• Resource consumption
  Gold mining needs large amounts of electricityand water.


• Poisoned water
  Acid from gold processing can leach into nearby water systems such asrivers, causing damage
  to animals and plants, as well as humans that may rely on that water fordrinking. The disposal
  of other toxic waste (e.g. cyanide) can also havea devastating effect on biodiversity.


• Solid waste
  This applies particularlyto open pit mines, where large amounts of soiland rock must be dis-
  placed in order to access the gold reserves. Processing the gold orealso leaves solid waste
  behind.


• Air pollution
  Dust from open pit mines, as well as harmful gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide
  which are released fromthe furnaces, contributeto air pollution.


• Threaten natural areas
  Mining activities often encroach on protected areas and threaten biodiversity in their operation
  areas.

Activity: Mine rehabilitation

There is a growing emphasis on the need to rehabilitate old mine sitesthat are no longer

in use. If it is too difficult to restore the site to what it was before, then anew type of land use

might be decided for that area. Any mine rehabilitation programme should aim to achieve the

following:

• ensure that the site is safe and stable


• remove pollutants thatare contaminating the site


• restore the biodiversitythat was there before mining started


• restore waterways to what they were before mining

There are different waysto achieve these goals. Plants for example, can be used to remove

metals from polluted soils and water, and can also help to stabilise thesoil so that other vege-

tation can grow. Land contouring can help to restore drainage in the area.

Discussion:

In groups of 3-4, discussthe following questions:

1. What are the main benefits of mine rehabilitation?


2. What are some of thedifficulties that may be experienced in trying to rehabilitate a mine
   site?