MINING AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

Abstract

Environmental problems facing the mining industry may be divided into six categories, each related to a different stage in the development of a deposit. These stages are 1) exploration for new deposits; 2) development of new deposits; 3) operation of an existing development; 4) expansion of an existing development; 5) revival of an inactive operation; and 6) closure of an existing operation. The environmental problems associated with these six stages are discussed and illustrated with examples.