The role of minerals in development Effects of mining on the environment
Minerals play a vital role in economic Effects of dereliction
development. Mineral exploitation earns Ugliness
foreign currency for the country and this People who live in areas where there is
foreign currency is used to develop derelict land have no pride of their towns
infrastructure such as roads, schools and and homes because all the natural beauty
hospitals. When a mineral deposit is found of the landscape has been lost. Open pits
in an area, a settlement is likely to develop and piles of waste often surround them.
leading to the development of social
amenities and roads. When the population Health hazards
of the mining settlement increases other Mineral exploitation can create a variety of
services such as banks, insurance, schools, hazards. Open cast mines may be filled with
hospitals and postal services are provided. water and create deep pools and accidents
Minerals play a role in industrialization. are likely to occur, particularly to children.
Many of the industrial nations are as a Such pools can also be breeding grounds for
result of the exploitation of minerals. mosquitos. Land over underground mines
may subside, causing houses and other
Problems associated with mining structures
There are many problems associated with
the mining industry. Some developing Lost productivity
countries with large reserves of mineral Soil disturbances may leave behind a soil
deposits lack capital for exploiting their that cannot support any economic activity.
resources. The remoteness and poor
transport systems hinder the full Prevention of dereliction
exploitation of large deposits. Many Reclamation
developing countries lack skilled personnel After minerals have been exploited,
and therefore depend on expatriates for government agencies and local authorities
prospecting minerals and some countries should make an effort to reclaim or
have small deposits which are rehabilitate the land. Reclaimed land can be
uneconomical to work and as a result the useful in various ways as it can be used for
minerals remain unexploited. agricultural purposes and for building
Price fluctuations on the world market also commercial houses after suitable time to
contribute to problems associated with allow settling and consolidation. Reclaimed
mining. land can also be turned into a tourist
Landlocked countries also lack access to attraction centre such as the limestone
coastal ports and as a result exportation of mines at Bamburi in Mombasa have been
minerals becomes difficult if there are reclaimed by planting trees and creating a
political differences with neighbours as the park which attracts tourist and local people.
minerals have to be transported by land to
the ports usually needing the cooperation Legislation
of the other country in order to be allowed Mining companies, particularly those which
to pass. employ open-cast methods, should be
forced to rehabilitate the land when mines
become uneconomical to work.
They should also be forced to pile their
waste materials in large supervised heaps
instead of leaving them in a number of
scattered heaps.
