Control of the Environmental Impacts of Mineral Exploitation

Control of Mining Activities

Permitting and Licensing: Governments control the exploitation of mineral resources through permits and licenses, which include regulations regarding environmental protection and safety.
Inspections and Monitoring: Regular inspections are carried out to ensure compliance with conditions specified in permits and licenses. Monitoring systems can also be set up to keep track of soil and water quality around mining sites.
Reclamation Bonds: Mine owners are often required to post a bond equal to the estimated cost of cleanup before starting their operation. This ensures that funds are available for cleanup even if the operator goes bankrupt.

Controlling Dust: This can be achieved by wet suppression, baghouse filters, and enclosures around equipment.
Water Management: Recycling water used in mineral processing can reduce water consumption and contamination. Closed-water loops can be adopted where all water is repeatedly recycled.
Waste Management: Techniques like backfilling, subaqueous disposal, and the use of liners can help to control the impact of tailings and other mining waste.

Improved Extraction Techniques: Technologies like bioleaching and solvent extraction can increase mineral recovery while reducing environmental harm.
Recycling: Recycling minerals from waste products and structures can also reduce the need for new mining operations.

Land Reclamation: This involves restoring the landscape after mining, including recontouring the land, replacing topsoil, and re-establishing local flora and fauna.
Water Treatment: Can be used to remove harmful contaminants from the water used or affected by mining operations.

Green Mining: This refers to the application of sustainable development principles within the mining industry, including reducing the environmental footprint, boosting efficiency, and improving the social impact of mining.
Community Consultation: Engaging with local communities and respecting their rights and traditions is vital for sustainable mineral exploitation. This also helps in avoiding conflicts and ensuring the social license to operate.

Governments may create strategic reserves of important minerals to ensure availability in times of extreme demand or supply interruptions. These reserves also act as a safety net in the event of catastrophic environmental issues associated with mining operations.