Topic Four (1.4): Managing the Impact of Rock and Mineral Extraction

Introduction

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • describe and evaluate strategies for restoring landscapes damaged by rock and mineral extraction:
  • safe disposal of mining waste
  • land restoration: soil improvement, bioremediation, tree planting
  • making lakes and nature reserves
  • using as landfill sites.

While each learner is different, it is suggested that you spend around 2 hours on this topic.

Read

Read Section 1.4 ‘Managing the impact of rock and mineral extraction’, pages 15–16. Complete all of the activities. Pay particular attention to the key points listed below.

Key Points:

  • Safe disposal of mining waste means ensuring waste piles cannot collapse or cause water pollution. A detailed plan for waste management must be include monitoring of effects.
  • Land restoration involves helping the environment to recover through soil enrichment with fertiliser, tree planting, contaminated waste removal and bioremediation (living organisms such as bacteria used to remove toxic wastes; plants used that bioaccumulate toxins from the soil).
  • Land can be turned into lakes or nature reserves (if too contaminated for housing or farming), which provide human recreation value as well as animal habitats.
  • Contaminated land can be used for landfill (waste storage) as long as toxins cannot leach into the water table.

Task

For each of the 4 management strategies listed above, list at least 2 good points and 2 bad points.

Links

Use the following links to extend your understanding.

READ – Tailings and other mining waste and how it is handled (SGU) Links to an external site.

A short four minute video on land restoration.

WATCH - Mine Reclamation (YouTube) Links to an external site.

Download

Read the following worksheet, which provides clear facts sheet on bioremediation: how it works, how long it takes, safety etc.

Download READ - Bioremediation (EPA)

Extension Material

Use this resource if you would like to explore this topic in more detail. It is a website to explore the complex process of mine management plans in Australia.

EXPLORE- What is mine rehabilitation? (NSW Government) Links to an external site.