Impact of Rock And Mineral Extraction (Copy)
1.3 Impact of Rock and Mineral Extraction – Cheat Sheet
Environmental Impacts
| Impact | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of habitat | Mining destroys ecosystems and wildlife areas | Amazon rainforest mining |
| Pollution | – Noise (machinery, blasting)- Water (chemicals, siltation)- Land (erosion, scars)- Air (dust, toxic gases)- Visual (landscape scars) | Smog in coal-mining regions of China |
| Waste management | Overburden and tailings require safe disposal; risk of contamination if unmanaged | Cyanide waste from gold mining |
Economic Impacts
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Creates employment (miners, transport, services) | High initial investment costs |
| Boosts local/national economy (exports, revenue) | Profits may go to foreign companies |
| Improves infrastructure (roads, electricity, water) | Finite resource – once depleted, economy suffers |
Social Impacts
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Better facilities for local communities (schools, hospitals) | Displacement of communities due to land clearance |
| Employment opportunities improve living standards | Health hazards (dust diseases, accidents) |
| Urban growth in mining towns | Conflicts over land rights and resources |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE Environmental Management Full Scale Course