Geologists play a critical role in both environmental management and mine closure by providing expertise on a site’s geological characteristics, assessing potential environmental impacts, and developing effective mitigation strategies. Their knowledge is essential for understanding subsurface conditions, water movement, and the potential for contamination, which directly informs decisions about mine design, operation, and eventual closure (Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, 2025).
Specifically, environmental geologists (and hydrogeologists) contribute vital knowledge regarding:
- Subsurface soil and rock permeability: How easily water and contaminants can move through the ground.
- Groundwater movement: Tracking the flow paths of water underground.
- Contaminant migration: Understanding where pollution has moved within the subsurface.
- Subsurface characterization: Defining conditions to determine the best methods for removing and controlling chemicals to achieve a safe level of risk.
Reference:
https://www.aegweb.org/environmental-geology#:~:text=Environmental%20geologists%20(and%20hydrogeologists)%20contribute,a%20safe%20level%20of%20risk
