Resource and Extraction Impacts

Resources and Extraction Processes

Resources are concentrations of naturally occurring solid, liquid or gaseous materials in or on the Earth’s crust that can be extracted and processed profitably now or in the future.

Three main extraction processes used in mining are Open pit, Underground mining, and Placer mining.
Open pit mining involves extracting rock or minerals from an open pit or borrow. This is used most commonly for minerals located near the surface.
Underground mining involves extracting rocks or minerals that are buried deep underground. This type of mining requires the construction of tunnels.
Placer mining is used for precious metal deposits (particularly gold) and gemstones, both of which are often found in alluvial deposits—deposits of sand and gravel in modern or ancient stream beds.

The extraction of resources can have severe environmental impacts including deforestation, habitat destruction, and pollution.
Extraction can cause water pollution. Chemicals used in the process may contaminate water sources, impacting ecosystems and human health.
Mining operations can cause air pollution through the release of dust and emission of gases.
Extraction processes can cause landscape degradation, leading to erosion and loss of biodiversity.
Mining operations can also lead to geohazard risks, such as landslides and sinkholes.

Rehabilitation or reclamation of mined land involves restoring the area to a natural or economically usable state. This can involve soil stabilisation, landscaping, and reintroduction of wildlife.
Preventing or reducing water contamination can be achieved through proper waste disposal and water treatment.
Extraction processes can be designed to minimise impacts. For example, underground mines can have less surface impact than open pits.
Legislation and regulation exist in many regions to limit the environmental impact of mining. This can cover a wide range of concerns, from waste disposal to noise pollution.

The extraction of resources can have significant economic impacts, providing jobs and contributing to local and national economies.
However, dependence on a single resource can lead to economic vulnerability if the resource runs out or if global prices fluctuate.
In some cases, resource extraction can contribute to social issues such as inequality. Wealth from resource extraction may not be evenly distributed, benefiting some groups more than others.

The sustainability of resource extraction can be improved by using resources more efficiently and finding sustainable alternatives where possible.
Recycling and reusing materials can reduce the need for new extraction.
Investing in clean technology research can lead to more efficient and less harmful extraction methods.
Exploring alternative materials and processes can reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources.