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November 7, 2021

Mining: Poison to the Environment?

Southwest of Montana at almost two thousand feet deep, Berkeley Pit gleams menacingly at those who dare approach. Heavily acidic waters fill up approximately 900 feet of the Pit and the brown shine of the water reveals the inherent danger it presents. It has killed more than three thousand snow geese from exposure to its acidic metals, and it endangers the groundwater tables for local towns. This former open-pit copper mine in Montana is a lethal cesspool of toxicity. How did it reach this point? To truly explain this ecological disaster, we first need to explain the effects mining can have on soil health and the purity of water.

Mining is an important industry. Many of our most prized possessions and technologies are only possible due to mining the earth for precious raw metals and minerals. The metals in our phones, the materials in our buildings, the fuels we use for energy such as coal or oil; all of these are obtained through mining. Steel, which is composed of a mixture of iron and other elements, is essential for buildings, machinery, and vehicles. Copper, for example, conducts electricity well and is used in electrical wiring.1 Without mining, our world would be significantly more primitive. In the United States, mining provides more than 500,000 jobs directly related to the industry, and indirectly, an additional 1.8 million jobs to those in the engineering and manufacturing industries who utilize the products in their creations.2 Clearly, mining is crucial in our modern society and without it, our world would be much more underdeveloped. 

However, despite these significant contributions from the mining industry, the current style of mining is harmful to our environment in a variety of ways, including the toxic pollution of soil and water. Because desired resources are typically present as only a few percent of the total volume of a mineral deposit, mining produces significant amounts of waste material that are often not disposed of properly (See Figure 1). Waste material, or gangue, refers to mineralized rocks that do not have high enough concentrations of profitable minerals. It is more cost-effective to simply dispose of these materials at or near the surface, rather than to extract the minerals within. Exposed to the atmosphere, natural chemical processes affect these waste materials and they can begin to release toxic compounds for long periods of time, even after the mine responsible for them has closed.3 Thus, one needs to consider how these disposed materials could possibly affect the surrounding ecosystem in the long-term, as well as design possible solutions to combat these adverse conditions. 

File:Continental Mine & waste rock pile (Butte, Montana, USA) 2.jpg
Figure 1. Waste material set aside after mining operations have decreed them not profitable. In this picture from the Yankee Doodle Tailings Pond in the Butte Mining District (Butte, Montana), the waste rock is placed in large piles and left alone.4
Researchers in the field of landscape ecology have created several technologies and models to measure the impact mines have on ecosystems. As a research discipline, landscape ecologists focus on using landscape models (computer simulations) to map an area in a way that focuses on the interaction between environmental processes and economic systems and non-living and human factors affecting it.5 Because of the complex relationships between mining and its surroundings, landscape models are often used to assess the environment of mines and surrounding areas. Researchers also investigate whether the rate at which ecological resources are being consumed from an area is comparable to the rate at which they are being restored. 

Additionally, researchers also employ geoenvironmental models, which anticipate possible chemical and physical weathering (the surface and near-surface processes during which rocks break down) and determine the baseline conditions before the mining can begin.6 These different types of studies are useful because they determine whether the interactions between resources and the landscape associated with a mine are forcing unhealthy amounts of pressure on an environment, aiding scientists in determining the overall impact from mining on the ecosystem.7   

One of the largest mining sites in the world is located near Dingnan County in the Jiangxi province of China. Researchers there have collected samples of soil and water to analyze them and compared the concentration of rare earth elements in such mining sites to control sites (such as streams and soils with little access to mines). One of their discoveries was that the total concentration of rare earth elements in stream water samples in this mining site were “hundreds to thousands times higher than the world’s freshwater”.8 Similarly, the average concentration of these elements in sediments and farmland soil was several times higher than background levels in the control sites. 

The researchers warned that such high concentrations may cause “environmental and health damages”, and that further studies needed to be conducted to determine how bad the risks are for such environments.9 In addition to rare earth elements, one compound that demonstrated higher concentrations in the streams affected by mining was sulfate. These sulfur-bearing ionic molecules can increase the acidity of an environment, and may lead to incidences of acid rain. The researchers discovered that ecosystems near mining sites have a high concentration of these rare elements in comparison. Strong soil weathering and leaching were evidenced as well, which means that these elements can spread to other water sources.10

These types of mining impacts from mining are not limited to these Chinese mines. Around the world, elements from mining sites are spread through waste material leaching into the ground and water systems. Chemical weathering dissolves the materials and makes it easy for residual amounts of potentially toxic materials to spread to surrounding rivers and agricultural soils. It is particularly troublesome and dangerous in the case of water sources as water is constantly flowing and may spread through much farther distances.11 “Water may interact with disturbed mineralized material, absorbing heavy metals and changing pH levels, before flowing into other water sources”.12 Contaminated water and soils are incapable of producing healthy food, endangering the local communities near mining sites as well as the local wildlife. Elements in polluted water may increase the chances of suffering from different types of cancers, cardiovascular and/or neurological disease.13 Long-term exposure (such as in food or water) to rare earth elements may also cause different mental illnesses and increase bone cancer rates in people.14

This brings the story back to Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana, an open-pit copper mine that operated from 1955 to 1982. Open-pit mining refers to a style of mining where the miners extract minerals and rock by blasting soil and vegetation to access the underground layers of ore, creating a large pit in the ground. The techniques involved in this style of mining produce significant amounts of waste rock, and due to the deep burrowing into the ground, may cause interference with groundwater.15 This is exactly what occurred at Berkeley Pit. When the mining operations were active, groundwater had been purposefully pumped away from the mine in order to prevent contamination. However, after it closed down, the mining company in charge of this stopped the continued pumping, and groundwater rose and seeped into the mineral-laced soil and rock of the mine (Figure 2). 

File:Berkeley Pit (Butte, Montana, USA) 35.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Figure 2. Formerly a copper mine located in Butte, Montana, Berkeley Pit is now covered in incredibly acidic water and has threatened to poison the local groundwater in Butte, Montana. Berkeley Pit contains chemicals such as copper, arsenic, and sulfuric acid. The water comes from flooded underground mining tunnels, and has a brown appearance due to all the metals.16
“The decision to shut down the underground pumps meant that 2-3 million gallons per day of acidic, metal-laden water flowed out of the underground mines and into the Berkeley Pit, creating a 40-billion gallon body of contaminated water. The presence of oxidized sulfide minerals brought the pH levels of the water to 2.5-3, between that of cola and vinegar…The water contained 15 times the acceptable EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] level of arsenic for drinking water, 7 times the lead, and 430 times the cadmium, all pollutants picked up as the water traveled through the underground mines”.17 The contamination of Berkeley Pit has already claimed wildlife as victims. Since 1995, approximately several thousand migrating geese have landed in the waters of the mine, hoping for a resting place, only to perish at the toxic contact with the sulfur-laced waters.18 Left alone, the toxic waters would overflow the pit and contaminate the aquifers and soils of the town, endangering their drinking water sources.

To prevent such further damage to the ecosystem at Berkeley Pit, which lies incredibly close to the town of Butte (See Figure 3), the EPA decreed the area in need of significant water treatment. A water treatment plant was built, and is currently treating the toxic water on sites, purifying and sampling it to ensure it meets safety regulations. Afterward, the now clean water will be sent to local creeks. Although this water treatment is of tremendous help, the Berkeley Pit contains approximately 50 billion gallons of this metal-rich water, and it will take many years before the ecosystem can be considered rehabilitated.19

 

Berkeley Pit: Butte, Montana
Figure 3. Berkeley Pit is demonstrated alongside the town of Butte on the lower right hand corner. The labeling of tailings refer to the piles of processed rock that serve little economic purposes. The close distance between the Pit and Butte, Montana reveals the possible danger if the toxic waters were to overflow and contaminate the town.20
In addition to water treatment facilities to deal with the after-effects of the contamination, several mining companies are employing preventative Cleaner Production strategies to minimize impacts of pollution at the source before it can even begin. This type of strategy involves implementing reviews, monitoring practices, and reporting systems into mining operations to prevent the mismanagement of waste materials. Further inputs in this strategy involve consulting the local people at these mining sites to gather insight as to potential problems or solutions, and working alongside them to assure the prevention of possible harm to their community, before, during, and after the mining operations have completed their work 21

Another aspect in reducing the contamination of soils and waters is in implementing newer, cleaner mining technologies. Modern cleaner technologies (such as those used for detoxification purposes) release fewer pollutants than traditional mining, and may decrease environmental damage caused at mines in the long term. Many mines rely on traditional technologies that are not as environmentally friendly because they are cheaper and result in profit for the company more quickly. They ignore the great cost that occurs in reclaiming polluted lands and treating contaminated sources of water and soil. However, as priorities shift towards increased social awareness and more sustainable practices in the management of mining companies, it is possible to significantly reduce environmental contamination at the source.22

Similarly to the reasons why older dirtier technology is still used in mining operations, there is a lack of funding, and enforcement of environmental policies is prevalent in many countries. For example, Tanzania, one of Africa’s largest mining countries, views mining largely as an economic issue, not an environmental one. Environmental policies are underdeveloped and unenforced, causing the country to experience significant amounts of pollution due to mining. Scientists in Tanzania conducted various interviews in 2020 regarding the legal framework in regards to mining and 75% of the interviewees claimed that it was “inadequate”.23 The researchers concluded that improved environmental policies, regulations, and enforcement are needed to enact crucial changes in preventing the contamination of soil and water due to mines. 

It is unrealistic to expect an end to all mining endeavors at once. The mineral extraction industry provides so many of the materials people need in their lives, and it would require human society to make life-changing decisions to ever stop mining. Instead, the mining industries should be modified so that alongside their economic priorities, environmental policies are mandated and enforced, in order to obtain the metals and materials human society needs while preventing as much harm as possible to our dear planet. The consequences of failing in this duty include the contamination of our ecosystems, poisoning our wildlife through our soils and water sources, and expanding the rates at which diseases claim human lives.

  1. Miller, G. Tyler, and Scott Spoolman. “Geology and Nonrenewable Mineral Resources.” Chapter. In Environmental Science, 16th ed. Cengage, 2019.
  2. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Mining Industry Profile.” Energy.gov. US Department of Energy, 2021. https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/mining-industry-profile.
  3. Jordan, Gyozo, and Ahmed Abdaal. “Decision Support Methods for the Environmental Assessment of Contamination at Mining Sites.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Springer Netherlands, March 2, 2013. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-013-3137-z. doi:10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00627-3.
  4. John, James St. 2010. English: The Grayish, Terraced Wall in the Background Is the Continental Mine (= Continental Pit) in Butte, Montana, as Seen from the Yankee Doodle Tailings Pond. The Town Is Known as the “Richest Hill on Earth” and “The Mining City”. The Butte Mining District Has Produced Gold, Silver, Copper, Molybdenum, Manganese, and Other Metals. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/50973974367/. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Continental_Mine_%26_waste_rock_pile_(Butte,_Montana,_USA)_2.jpg.
  5. Jordan, Gyozo, and Ahmed Abdaal. “Decision Support Methods for the Environmental Assessment of Contamination at Mining Sites.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Springer Netherlands, March 2, 2013. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-013-3137-z. doi:10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00627-3.
  6. Jordan, Gyozo, and Ahmed Abdaal. “Decision Support Methods for the Environmental Assessment of Contamination at Mining Sites.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Springer Netherlands, March 2, 2013. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-013-3137-z. doi:10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00627-3.
  7. Jordan, Gyozo, and Ahmed Abdaal. “Decision Support Methods for the Environmental Assessment of Contamination at Mining Sites.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Springer Netherlands, March 2, 2013. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-013-3137-z. doi:10.1016/B978-008045405-4.00627-3.
  8. Liu, Wen-Shen, Mei-Na Guo, Chang Liu, et al. “Water, Sediment and Agricultural Soil Contamination from an Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Mining Area.” Chemosphere,  Volume 216, February 2019, Pages 75-83, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518319702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.109.
  9. Liu, Wen-Shen, Mei-Na Guo, Chang Liu, et al. “Water, Sediment and Agricultural Soil Contamination from an Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Mining Area.” Chemosphere,  Volume 216, February 2019, Pages 75-83, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518319702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.109.
  10. Liu, Wen-Shen, Mei-Na Guo, Chang Liu, et al. “Water, Sediment and Agricultural Soil Contamination from an Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Mining Area.” Chemosphere,  Volume 216, February 2019, Pages 75-83, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518319702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.109.
  11. Angelovičová, L., and D. Fazekašová. “Contamination of the Soil and Water Environment by Heavy Metals in the Former Mining Area of Rudňany (Slovakia).” Soil and Water Research 9, no. No. 1 (January 23, 2014): 18–24. https://doi.org/10.17221/24/2013-SWR.
  12. Kinyondo, Abel, and Chris Huggins. “State-Led Efforts to Reduce Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Tanzania: Implications for Fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Environmental Science & Policy 120 (June 1, 2021): 157–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.02.017.
  13. Angelovičová, L., and D. Fazekašová. “Contamination of the Soil and Water Environment by Heavy Metals in the Former Mining Area of Rudňany (Slovakia).” Soil and Water Research 9, no. No. 1 (January 23, 2014): 18–24. https://doi.org/10.17221/24/2013-SWR.
  14. Liu, Wen-Shen, Mei-Na Guo, Chang Liu, et al. “Water, Sediment and Agricultural Soil Contamination from an Ion-Adsorption Rare Earth Mining Area.” Chemosphere,  Volume 216, February 2019, Pages 75-83, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518319702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.109.
  15. Park, Jonghoon, Eunhye Kwon, Euijin Chung, Ha Kim, Batbold Battogtokh, and Nam C. Woo 2020. “Environmental Sustainability of Open-Pit Coal Mining Practices at Baganuur, Mongolia” Sustainability 12, no. 1: 248. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12010248.
  16. John, James St. 2010. English: The Town of Butte, Montana (Pronounced “Byoot”) Is Known as the “Richest Hill on Earth” and “The Mining City”. The Butte Mining District Has Produced Gold, Silver, Copper, Molybdenum, Manganese, and Other Metals. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/50869213686/. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berkeley_Pit_(Butte,_Montana,_USA)_35.jpg.
  17. Leech, Brian. “Boom, Bust, and the Berkeley Pit: How Insiders and Outsiders Viewed the Mining Landscape of Butte, Montana.” IA. The Journal of the Society for Industrial Archeology 37, no. 1/2 (2011): 161. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23757914.
  18. “Thousands of Snow Geese Die in Montana after Landing on Contaminated Water.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, December 7, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/07/thousands-of-snow-geese-die-in-montana-after-landing-on-contaminated-water?CMP=share_btn_fb.
  19. Saks, Nora. “Butte Reaches Superfund Milestone, Releasing Berkeley Pit Water into Silver Bow Creek.” Montana Public Radio. Montana Public Radio, October 1, 2019. https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2019-10-01/butte-reaches-superfund-milestone-releasing-berkeley-pit-water-into-silver-bow-creek.
  20. “Berkeley Pit: Butte, Montana.” 2006. Text.Article. NASA Earth Observatory. November 13, 2006. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/7108/berkeley-pit-butte-montana.
  21. Hilson, Gavin, and Barbara Murck. “Sustainable Development in the Mining Industry: Clarifying the Corporate Perspective.” Resources Policy 26, no. 4 (December 1, 2000): 227–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4207(00)00041-6
  22. Hilson, Gavin, and Barbara Murck. “Sustainable Development in the Mining Industry: Clarifying the Corporate Perspective.” Resources Policy 26, no. 4 (December 1, 2000): 227–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4207(00)00041-6
  23. Kinyondo, Abel, and Chris Huggins. “State-Led Efforts to Reduce Environmental Impacts of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Tanzania: Implications for Fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Environmental Science & Policy 120 (June 1, 2021): 157–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.02.017.

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Recent Comments

Rafael Macedo

A lot of factors combine to cause significant habitat destruction on-site. Water contamination, air pollution, and plant loss as a result of soil eruption are all consequences of mining. This might result in more habitat loss in areas other than the surrounding area. Mining pollution is aggravated by the use of diesel-powered equipment, which emits carbon emissions naturally.

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21/11/2021

11:31 pm

Daniel Matheu Baldor

This was an informative article that I liked to read. Environment is something that we have to care about and people do not do it. Mines destroys the environment and can cause disasters, although it is something that can help us a lot. We should consider the advantages and disadvantages of mining and then see if it is worthy or not.

reply

21/11/2021

11:31 pm

Martha Nava

I love environmental science, so I enjoyed this article very much. You have a very extensive list of sources that show your dedication to the topic. I think I have only seen mining in movies, (like when they blow mountains up), but I never knew how harmful it could be. I like the picture for figure 3 since it helps us see just how close the bodies of water are, and how dangerous it can be to let it keep sitting there without being treated. Overall, I think this was a very informative and well-written article.

reply

21/11/2021

11:31 pm

Camryn Blackmon

This was a very engaging read on a critical topic! I really liked that you included the harmful impacts of mining on the environment and public health. It was really great to read that more mining companies are employing Cleaner Production strategies to minimize their impact and that other efforts are being made to help the environment.

reply

21/11/2021

11:31 pm

Makenzie Bell

This article is very rich in detail. It is not the best feeling to know how society could be damaging the earth but I am so glad someone chose a topic like this to write about. Bringing the harsh facts to the light is always very interesting to read. The pictures in this article are great too!

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22/11/2021

11:31 pm

Christian Guerrero

This article was very concise and clear and I enjoyed reading it as it brings much detail to topic that we don’t necessarily talk about all that much. I truly see the impact of mining as it affects the environment more than we know and come to think of it, mines are usually done around small villages or towns and just thinking of the effects of mining could be devastating as it could be effecting the food supplies and ecosystems around the surrounding civilizations.

reply

22/11/2021

11:31 pm

Aztlan Alvarado

What an amazing article, it’s very important that people are exposed to topics like this that are important in understanding just how much our planet needs us now more than ever. We never stop to think about where our trash might be going or even where certain things we own originated from and what it took to make it. Our society has begun to take a consumer perspective without any regard for the Earth and as a result it is suffering and becoming an issue that must be dealt with worldwide. Great information that could be used by anybody.

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28/11/2021

11:31 pm

Daniel Diaz

It makes you wonder why it’s possible to clean millions of gallons of heavy metal enriched water but nearly impossible to turn ocean water into clean drinking water. I feel like ecological mishaps like these force the government to take notice to ensure that proper steps and measures are taken to prevent future dilemmas like this from happening again.

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03/12/2021

11:31 pm

Andrea Moreno

It is upsetting to see how integrated mining is to our everyday lives but how harmful it is to our environment. It will be a time-consuming process, but I believe that steps can be taken in order to lessen mining’s harmful impact. As a society, we need to be more observant as to how we are getting our resources and try to live as sustainably as possible. The planet is depending on it.

reply

08/12/2021

11:31 pm

McKayla C. Rodriguez

This article was very informative! I was unaware of how much damage mining could do to the environment. More policies should be enacted so that we can prevent future damage to what is already done. Many fail to truly care for the environment, and that should also change. A healthy and clean environment is essential for our well-being, and the futures. One of the steps that could be easily done first to make change is to educate themselves on the issue.

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13/12/2021

11:31 pm

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