Introduction
Mining pollution refers to the environmental contamination and degradation caused by the extraction and processing of minerals. One major environmental issue brought on by operations involving the extraction and processing of minerals is mining contamination (comunicación, 2023). Sustainable development objectives call for a considerable reduction in atmospheric pollution, and mining companies are no exception to the rule. In this article, we propose some solutions that could help them reduce the pollution associated with the extraction of mineral resources.
Lower-Impact Mining Techniques
According to Megan R. Nichols, “Traditional mining techniques can have a severe impact on the environment, and some popular methods — like open pit and underground mining — present some of the most significant environmental risks. By instead using new, alternative low-impact mining techniques — like in-situ leaching — mining companies can reduce their environmental impact. With many of these techniques, companies can significantly reduce surface disturbance at mining sites, lower soil erosion and move less material that would need backfilled. Lowering interference in this way can both reduce environmental impact and result in less work when preparing a site for quicker revegetation or rehabilitation.”
Pollution Control and Prevention
Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. By controlling the flow of water, isolating pollutants and using chemical or physical barriers, we can effectively prevent the formation of pollutants. Mining activities emit a lot of dust, so it’s important to set up an air quality control system. This helps to reduce the damage that dust can cause. Upgrading to modern smelting technology can drastically reduce sulfur dioxide and particulate emissions. For example, advanced smelters can capture up to 99.9% of sulfur emissions (Keane, n.d.).
Waste Management and Reuse
“Mining naturally produces significant amounts of waste — such as tailings, rocks and wastewater. In many cases, businesses leave waste behind when mining operations cease — or, in the case of tailings, stored in large structures like tailings dams, which are prone to failure and, as a result, cause severe environmental damage.
Luckily, for almost every category of mining waste, there are at least one or two ways to reuse that waste on- or off-site.
Companies can use waste rocks in simple on-site construction, like backfilling voids and reconstructing mined terrain in a way that prevents soil erosion.
When adequately treated, mine water can be reused in just about any fashion — for agriculture, as coolant, in on-site dust suppression and for drinking water.
Even tailings, often toxic and left behind in mine sites or stored in large-scale tailings dams, can find eco-friendly use. Depending on the mineral and chemical composition of the tailings, businesses can use them in the production of bricks, as paint extenders or in agroforestry.
Some new technologies even make it possible to further mine from these tailings, reducing the overall amount of minerals that get left behind in mining sites while also reducing the volume of waste stored in tailings dams.
However, not all of the applications are economic right now. The mining industry will likely need to invest in further research and development in the areas of mine waste reuse to make some of the methods workable at scale.” Said Megan R. Nichols.
Environmental Management Plans and Compliance
Developing and rigorously implementing a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) ensures that environmental protection measures are integrated into all stages of mining, from planning to closure and post-mining monitoring (O. Odeku, 2017). Regular monitoring, compliance with environmental regulations, and accountability for non-compliance are essential to safeguard both the environment and local communities.
Technological Innovation and Best Practices
Emerging environmental dangers can be identified and reduced by using sophisticated risk assessment techniques, remediation techniques at the micro and molecular levels, and ongoing improvement grounded in scientific study. Transitioning to eco-friendly equipment, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy sources, further reduces greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact.
Conclusion
Pollution remains a major challenge for mining companies. Whatever we may say, the fact remains that zero risk is unlikely. However, it is important to sound the alarm so that companies can act responsibly. Efficient management of mining waste and efficient management of wastewater from mining operations are just some of the measures that could enable mining companies to mitigate pollution.
Reference
comunicación, E. de marketing y. (2023, January 31). Environmental impact of mining on air quality. Kunak. https://kunakair.com/environmental-impact-of-mining-in-air-quality/
Keane, C. (n.d.). Can we mitigate environmental impacts from mining? American Geosciences Institute. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://profession.americangeosciences.org/society/intersections/faq/can-we-mitigate-environmental-impacts-mining/
Odeku, K. (2017). Effective implementation of Environmental Management Plan for sustainable mining. Environmental Economics, 8(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.21511/ee.08(1).2017.03
