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Moving mountains to build a mine: Waste
generated from clearing the site and
infrastructure development
Before the mine operation starts the site needs to be prepared
and an access road constructed. This often involves significant
land clearing and in mountain regions the waste rock and soil
is often just bulldozed downslope, where it can block natural
watercourses.The large areas of disturbed land andearth exposed
can also lead to substantial erosion and increased sediment
loading to waterbodies, especially during periods of high rainfall
and snow melt. The building of roads and development of the
mine brings heavy, generally diesel-fueled machinery, which can
also cause local air pollution from diesel particulates and dust
generated during operation.
Apart from the obvious destruction of habitat, land clearing and road
building has been found to open up previously inaccessible regions
to hunters, increase road kill numbers, especially of slow moving
ground dwelling species and increase species invasion (Laurance
et al 2009). Upslope activities can increase runoff that flows to and
degrades soil on downslope areas which may include agricultural
land. The development of the Hidden Valley gold and silver mine
in Papua New Guinea impacted downstream communities during
the construction phase (2006 to 2009). People living below themine
complained of increased sedimentation, poor water quality and
health issues related to erosion of waste rock disposed of on steep
slopes (Mudd and Roche 2014). Disputes over compensation for the
damage took several years to resolve (UNDP 2014).
Mining attracts people: Waste generated by
the mine workers and associated community
Mining operations require a work force and depending on the
size of the mine, a considerable community can spring up in
previously sparsely inhabited areas. For example, the Ok tedi
mining township of Tabubil, in the Star Mountains of Papua New
Guinea currently supports more than 30,000 inhabitants in what
was once the tribal homelands of about 700 local indigenous
people (Townsend and Townsend 2004). The rapid growth of
mining camps and towns can bring problems with sewage and
waste disposal. A recent study by researchers from Columbia
Mining trucks.
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iStock/erlucho