Environment
Ahmed Amara Konate; Djénébou Bourama Sangare; Baba Faradji N'diaye; N'dji dit Jack Dembele
Abstract
Artisanal gold mining (AGM) is one of Mali's most significant economic activities. This activity become a serious environmental concern because of the chemicals used for AGM. The artisanal gold processing method uses a significant amount of water. The operating waste, often toxic by chemical mercury, ...
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Artisanal gold mining (AGM) is one of Mali's most significant economic activities. This activity become a serious environmental concern because of the chemicals used for AGM. The artisanal gold processing method uses a significant amount of water. The operating waste, often toxic by chemical mercury, is discharged or drained into watercourses. This study describes the main actors and the different methods of exploration, extraction, and processing of gold by artisanal miners, as well as their perception of environmental impacts. The methodology adopted is based on surveys and observations conducted at the Lollè and Sinty sites. The results show that no mining legislative rules were applied. Still, non-standard customary rules for a very long time. AGM has a particular organizational chart that actors manage. This study shows that AGM can cause health and environmental problems, especially with the use of chemicals, contamination of water resources, land degradation, and destruction of fauna and flora. Analysis of water samples shows that the mercury concentration at Lollè exceeds the WHO standard, while most mercury concentrations at Sinty are below this standard. The geomorphology of the study area shows a watershed with an area of 88.40 km2 with four orders of the hydrographic network in Lollè and 404.02 km2 with five orders in Sinty. While the slopes range from very weak to strong, and the study areas are practically flat. This study will provide accurate information to policy-makers for implementing environmental management strategies in a manner that miners can understand and evaluate.
Debasmita Basu; Smriti Mishra
Abstract
Although mine closure problems have been researched in the past, little to no research has been dedicated to the post-reclamation impacts of abandoned mine closure. Even though reclamation has been an age-old identified technique, stakeholders’ perception has played an important role in defining ...
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Although mine closure problems have been researched in the past, little to no research has been dedicated to the post-reclamation impacts of abandoned mine closure. Even though reclamation has been an age-old identified technique, stakeholders’ perception has played an important role in defining the implementation procedure. Therefore, this study intends to identify the various implementation procedures through a rigorous literature assessment of 112 publications, identified from various sources. Theoretical and practical complications have been identified in the fields of environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of mine closure. The study unveiled that the most implemented reclamation strategy was intensive and non-intensive recreation/tourism-based reclamation techniques. Thus the study paves the way for the incorporation of an interdisciplinary strategy through cooperation between various stakeholders and research fields for the long-term viability of a mining site restoration.
F. Doulati Ardejani; S. Maghsoudy; M. Shahhosseini; B. Jodeiri Shokri; Sh. Doulati Ardejani; F. Shafaei; F. Amirkhani Shiraz; A. Rajaee
Abstract
Considering that mining has many environmental impacts from the exploration phase to production and finally closure, it is necessary to plan the activities so that the concept of green mining is realized in its true meaning. This means that mining is carried out in order to obtain the minerals that are ...
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Considering that mining has many environmental impacts from the exploration phase to production and finally closure, it is necessary to plan the activities so that the concept of green mining is realized in its true meaning. This means that mining is carried out in order to obtain the minerals that are used in various industries; however, by taking appropriate measures, the impacts of mining on the environment are reduced to a minimum level. Since there is little information about the environmental, ecological, hydrological, and hydrogeological status in most mining areas, a comprehensive study of the area's water, soil, plants, and animal species should be conducted. The existence of permanent and seasonal rivers in the vicinity of some mines, in some cases being located in protected areas of the Iranian Department of Environment, and the presence of vegetation near some mines are among the matters that cause many environmental challenges in the mining areas. For this purpose, a series of comprehensive studies are critical in the pre-mining, during mining, and closure phases of the mine life. In addition, detailed studies should be done on factories such as smelters located in the mining areas. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely used in order to determine the environmental status of these factories. Furthermore, the issue of process water and water recycling, as well as waste management, should be considered. Nowadays, the environmental monitoring technology is one of the widely used tools in many mines in the world. Moreover, these mining companies' green space management system should be given special attention according to the obligatory standards of the Iranian Department of Environment. In this paper, a conceptual framework for the green mining method will be introduced for the coal mines to consider the economic and social aspects, and we pay a special attention to the health, safety, and environmental requirements.
