Environmental Impact of Mining and Soil Conservation

smelting

A process used to extract metal from its ore by heating and melting.

blast furnace

A type of furnace used for smelting to produce industrial metals, typically iron.

mining disturbs and damages the land

The negative impact of mining activities on the natural landscape.

22 million acres of abandoned mines

The total area of land that has been left unusable due to mining activities.

processing/disposal pollute air soil water

The environmental contamination caused by the processing and disposal of mined materials.

can be controlled and restored at great cost

The potential for environmental damage from mining to be mitigated, although it requires significant financial investment.

mined land prone to erosion

Land that has been mined is more susceptible to soil erosion.

open pit mining uses a lot of water

A mining method that requires substantial water resources.

flooding

An overflow of water that can occur as a result of mining activities.

bury streams, contrib to flash floods

The act of covering streams during mining, leading to increased risk of sudden floods.

acid mine drainage

The outflow of acidic water from mining sites, which can severely affect water quality.

tailings

The waste materials left over after the extraction of valuable minerals from ore.

80 percent can be byproduct

Indicates that a significant portion of mining output may consist of byproducts.

soil supports all terrestrial food webs

Soil is essential for sustaining all land-based ecosystems and their food chains.

weathering is v slow

The process of breaking down rocks into soil occurs at a very gradual pace.

leaching

The process by which rainwater dissolves and removes nutrients from the topsoil.

Soil Erosion

The natural process of soil being worn away, which can be accelerated by human activities.

salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to intensive agricultural practices.

good soil conservation practices

Methods that help maintain soil health and promote sustainable agricultural use.