What is a problem with abandoned coal mines?

Many surface and underground abandoned mines, and their associated spoil and refuse piles, provide an ongoing source of acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metals that can have long-term devastating impacts on groundwater, community water supplies, rivers, streams, and aquatic life.

What environmental challenges are associated with extracting coal?

There are significant environmental impacts associated with coal mining and use. It could require the removal of massive amounts of top soil, leading to erosion, loss of habitat and pollution. Coal mining causes acid mine drainage, which causes heavy metals to dissolve and seep into ground and surface water.

Why are some mines abandoned?

They pose environmental, health, safety and economic problems to communities, the mining industry and governments in many countries, including Canada. The Ontario Mining Act describes “abandoned mines” as an old land previously used for coal mining but is now unused due to hazardous environmental and health effects.

Why are abandoned mines such a huge environmental and human health risk in the US?

Abandoned mines can cause several health problems and environmental hazards threats such as the accumulation of hazards and explosive gases resulting from the lack of circulating air in galleries, or unsafe structures that can cause unstable conditions in that area resulting in several accidents.

What are the problems of mining to the environment?

Environmental issues can include erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. In some cases, additional forest logging is done in the vicinity of mines to create space for the storage of the created debris and soil.

How does coal negatively impact the environment?

Climate change is coal’s most serious, long-term, global impact. Chemically, coal is mostly carbon, which, when burned, reacts with oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide, a heat-trapping gas. Consequences of global warming include drought, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather, and species loss.

Why are mining sites abandoned after excavation?

Due to which the ground water level falls down , gradually lands , become dry,dusty and lead to land degradation. This retards the process of infiltration of water into the soil. Thus mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete, leaving deep scars to the environment.

What happens to old mining sites?

Eventually, once the most accessible and valuable materials have been extracted, the mine is closed, and the site must be restored back to its original state. This includes covering up mine entrances, replanting grass and trees, and testing surrounding water, soil, and air for contaminants.

What are the risks associated with mining?

Mining health safety – 7 common risks to protect yourself against

• Coal dust. Dust inhalation or coal dust is one of the most common concerns for miners.
• Noise.
• Whole body vibration.
• UV Exposure.
• Musculoskeletal disorders.
• Thermal stress.
• Chemical hazards.

What sites are abandoned after excavation work is completed?

Mining sites are abandoned after excavation work is complete leaving deep scars and traces of over-burdening. In states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa deforestation due to mining have caused severe land degradation.