Mining

mining Acid mine drainage  in the  Rio Tinto River . The  environmental impact of mining  includes  erosion , formation of  sinkholes , loss of  biodiversity , and  contamination of soil ,  groundwater  and  surface water  by chemicals from  mining  processes. Besides creating  environmental damage , the contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals also affects the health of the local population. [1] Mining companies in some countries are required to follow environmental and rehabilitation codes, ensuring the area mined is returned close to its original state. Some mining methods may have significant environmental and public health effects. Nuss and Eckelman (2014) [2]  provide an overview of the life-cycle wide environmental impacts of metals production associated with 62 metals in year 2008. Erosion of exposed hillsides, mine dumps,  tailings dams  and resultant  sil...