An overview of Mining and the Environment

Why mine?
Mining provides us with minerals, metals and other materials we use every day and the fuel
used to generate electricity. These minerals have economic value and can benefit mankind.
Although in Australia, less than 1% of the land is mined, depending on the size of the mine,
method of mining and location, mining can have a significant impact on the environment. To
minimise the effects of this impact, careful planning, management and supervision are required.

What environmental regulations are in place? At the exploration

stage, core
In Australia, mining operators must follow strict samples are taken
environmental regulations that are put in place by all to not only
levels of government: local, state and federal. These determine the
laws not only regulate land use, but also include level of
coverage of clean air, noise abatement, management of mineralisation but
waterways and fauna and flora conservation issues. to also assess the
value of soil to
Before permission to mine is granted, mining operators support
conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of vegetation.
the area to be mined. The EIA also looks at other areas Computer models
that may be affected by the mining operation such as are used to Rehabilitated waste rock stockpile Ernest Henry
roads and the social impact on local towns in terms of simulate mining Source: Xstrata Copper
employment, education and housing. Details of land and any necessary
restoration and the final use for the mine site must also backfilling that
be included in the mining plans. may need to occur during the life of the mine.

Pre-mining studies are conducted into the area’s In open-cut mining operations, rehabilitation occurs
climate, soil, topography and community views are along with the mine’s development. Top soil is stripped
sought on the best use of the land post mining. and stockpiled prior to mining for later use over
rehabilitated areas. As mining ceases in one area
How is mined land rehabilitated? bulldozers and scrapers are used to reshape the
disturbed area. Water drainage is designed to make the
Factors such as rainfall, winds, temperature range, pre- new land surface as stable as possible. Dams can be
existing vegetation, ground water quality, soil built to protect the area further from erosion and act as
conditions, a permanent water storage area. The final contours of
topography, the land forms are smoothed and planted with
native flora vegetation.
and fauna are
The progress of the rehabilitation is monitored with
all taken into
miners usually prohibiting further land use until the
consideration
vegetation is well established.
when
rehabilitation In underground coal mining, surface land subsidence
plans and can occur. A range of improved engineering techniques
activities are is used to design the layout and dimensions of
developed underground mine workings to minimise and control
Water testing is conducted on site
and subsidence.
Source: Qld Resources Council
implemented.

OresomeResources - Queensland Resources Council - Minerals and Energy Education

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Level 13 133 Mary St Brisbane, Queensland 4000 – www.oresomeresources.com
How are the environmental impacts of mining managed?
The operating of a mine can have challenges in relation to land disturbance, impact on biodiversity (plants and animals),
waste and recycling, use of water and energy use and emissions.

This table sets out some of these impacts and methods used to minimise them.

Impact Steps taken to reduce impacts

Animal and plant habitats are destroyed Disturbed areas are rehabilitated or new habitats
developed in line with the needs of local animal and
plant species

The land is changed significantly as a result of Top soil is removed and reused later in rehabilitation.
open-cut mining. Land forms are re-contoured to resemble the natural
landscape or shaped for other purposes determined
by the local community e.g. grazing land or
aquaculture.

Large pits are created from open-cut mining. Pits can be backfilled or used as storage areas for
water.

Underground mining can cause land subsidence. In hard rock mining underground areas are backfilled
with waste from the mining operations.

Miners submit a plan to the government before

mining that details how subsidence will be managed
by underground engineering techniques and the re-
contouring of disturbed areas.

Waste from minerals processing is collected in Tailings dams can eventually be covered with clay
tailings dams. and topsoil and then revegetated. Monitoring of the
tailings occurs post mining.

Dust is emitted from tailings dams, open-cut Water trucks use recycled water whenever possible
mine stockpiles and trucks carrying ore. on mine sites to suppress the dust.

Water is used in the processing of minerals, Water is recycled wherever possible with excess
washing of vehicles to prevent the spread of water contained in dams.
weeds and for dust suppression.

Vehicles on mine sites emit greenhouse gas The use of fuel efficient vehicles reduces the level of
emissions emissions.

What Happens After Mining? Links

The type of rehabilitation of the mine site is determined For careers related to mining and environmental
in consultation with local community groups and takes management visit www.peopleforthefuture.com.au or
into consideration the location and prior use of the www.miningcareers.com
land. This could vary from recreational use, pastures,
the development of nature reserves to a new industry For more on mine site rehabilitation visit University of
use such as aquaculture. Queensland Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation

Last updated February 2013

OresomeResources - Queensland Resources Council - Minerals and Energy Education

T (07) 3295 9560 F (07) 3295 9570
Level 13 133 Mary St Brisbane, Queensland 4000 – www.oresomeresources.com
 Impacts Diagram and Activity  

Impacts Diagram 
(Impacts Table and Activity on page 2).  

 
 

OresomeResources ‐ Queensland Resources Council ‐ Minerals and Energy Education 
T (07) 3295 9560 F (07) 3295 9570 
Level 13 133 Mary St Brisbane, Queensland 4000 – www.oresomeresources.com 
Impacts Table 
Look closely at the Impacts Diagram of a mine site and consider the features and activities that could have an effect on the 
environment (air, water, land, energy and waste management). List these in the table below. 
 
Consider which features and activities at the mine site could reduce these impacts. List these in the last column of the table. 
 
 

Aspects of environment  Mining activities that may impact on  Action taken at the mine to reduce 

the environment  the impact 
   
 
Air 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Water 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Land 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Energy 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Waste Management 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source: Exploring Mining in Queensland: Past, Present and Future 

OresomeResources ‐ Queensland Resources Council ‐ Minerals and Energy Education 
T (07) 3295 9560 F (07) 3295 9570 
Level 13 133 Mary St Brisbane, Queensland 4000 – www.oresomeresources.com