In today’s reality of climate change and global warming the issue of mining and its environmental effects is coming under increasing monitoring and scrutiny with a view to minimise its harmful effects through environmental friendly technology and methods of extracting minerals. There is imply no alternative because the environment has already been severely damaged and mankind’s survival is pivoted on halting further environmental degradation.
This report on environmental damage due to mining will suffice to illustrate how serious is this problem.
“Freeport-McMoRan, based in New Orleans, has operated the Mount Ertsberg gold, silver, and copper mine in Irian Jaya, Indonesia, for over 20 years and has converted the mountain into a 600-meter hole. As documented by the New York Times and dozens of environmental groups, the mining company has dumped appalling amounts of waste into local streams, rendering downstream waterways and wetlands “unsuitable for aquatic life.” Relying on large payments to military officials, the mining operation is protected by a virtual private army that has been implicated in the deaths of an estimated 160 people between 1975 and 1997 in the mine area.”
“Freeport estimates that it generates 700,000 tons of waste a day and that the waste rock stored in the highlands—900 feet deep in places—now covers about three square miles. Government surveys have found that tailings from the mines have produced levels of copper and sediment so high that almost all fish have disappeared from nearly 90 square miles of wetlands downstream from the operation.”
Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. In some cases, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of mines to increase the available room for the storage of the created debris and soil.[1] Besides creating environmental damage, the contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals also affects the health of the local population.[2] Mining companies in some countries are required to follow environmental and rehabilitation codes, ensuring the area mined is returned to close to its original state. Some mining methods may have significant environmental and public health effects.
Erosion of exposed hillsides, mine dumps, tailings dams and resultant siltation of drainages, creeks and rivers can significantly impact the surrounding areas, a prime example being the giant Ok Tedi Mine in Papua New Guinea. In areas of wilderness mining may cause destruction and disturbance of ecosystems and habitats, and in areas of farming it may disturb or destroy productive grazing and croplands. In urbanised environments mining may produce noise pollution, dust pollution and visual pollution. (Wikipedia).
In our country the mining industry forms a significant part of the national economy earning a high proportion of foreign exchange, providing employment for thousands and creating a variety of spin-off commercial activities. So there is no question about it-the mining industry is here to stay
However, recently, through misconceptions and misunderstanding, it was most unfortunate that miners took protest action against proposed new regulations governing the mining industry which they mistakenly perceived as an attempt by the government to pressure the sector and perhaps eventually close it down.
In view of the situation, President Bharrat Jagdeo along with other government functionaries held a meeting with the miners on Thursday to clear the air on the issue.
During the discussions the President made it absolutely clear once again that the government has intention of shutting down the local mining industry. On the contrary it intends to encourage its growth and expansion.
Now that this assurance has been given the waters should be less murky and the way paved for constructive dialogue to resolve all outstanding matters in an amicable manner rather than having a confrontational and antagonistic atmosphere which is of benefit to no one.
Miners must recognise and accept that they have a responsibility to help protect the environment and in this process as the President correctly pointed out changes are inevitable.
This, the President noted, is necessary if the focus is to shift from day to day operation to one of long term, to include expansion.
According to the President, discussions have been ongoing for about two years to find a balance between miners and foresters, to find a balance in their mode of operation, reiterating that the aim is not to stop mining but to ensure there is a sustainable balance.
It would be hoped now the dust seems to have settled that in future good sense would prevail and resort to rash and unhelpful action would be avoided.