7461ENV: Mining Activity and Environment Protection Report

This report examines the intricate relationship between mining activities and environmental protection. It begins by defining mining and outlining its global production trends, highlighting the economic contributions mining makes to national economies. The report then delves into the environmental impacts of mining, including water and air pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. It proposes strategies for addressing these environmental challenges, such as proper water management through monitoring and recycling, allocating funds for land reclamation, and implementing strict air pollution control measures. The report emphasizes the importance of engaging local communities and experts, respecting protected areas, and investing in renewable energy sources. The central theme revolves around achieving a balance between economic development from mining and environmental protection, aiming for sustainable practices that benefit both the economy and the environment. The report also explores the importance of governmental enforcement of environmental regulations, the use of better technology and the application of research and technology to investigate weathering processes of materials, waste management and study processes of soil formation. Finally, the report provides a comprehensive approach to ensure that the mining industry can contribute to economic growth while minimizing its environmental footprint.

Running Head: ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 1
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ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 2
Mineral extraction has a lot of economic benefits in the society. It creates job opportunities
to people and generates revenue to the nation. However, mining without proper management
poses a lot of risks and challenges to the sustainable development. Mining is also a fundamental
requirement for well-being of human beings and all other sectors of the economy. It is possible
to alleviate environmental effects, defend rights of people, elevate social inclusion and facilitate
gains from mining activities for development, and also ensure achievement of economic benefits
from the whole chain of mining (UNDP and UN Environment, 2018).
Mining can be sustained through the following methods; proper water management by
monitoring water usage to maximize water recycling, reuse and engaging local stakeholders to
generate license for operation and application of better technology in water management;
allocation of enough funds for land reclamation, ensuring maximum land restoration to facilitate
continuous use for agricultural purpose or other alternative uses, ensuring high standards and
quality of land restoration activities, and investing in research and technology to investigate
weathering processes of materials, waste management and study processes of soil formation;
engaging local community and experts to reduce dangers and promote redevelopment of fauna
and flora, respecting areas that are protected nationally basically for conservation of biodiversity.
Additionally, environment protection can be enhanced by curbing air pollution through
governmental enforcement of strict rules and regulations that control air emissions especially
carbon. Governments can also invest in campaign on use of alternative renewable energy sources
that supply amount of energy which is of equal amount with the quantity of fuel required for the
mining operations (Mining Global, 2014).

ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 3
References
Mining Global. (2014). Top 10 Ways to Make Mines More Environmentally Friendly. Retrieved
from Mining global: https://www.miningglobal.com/top-10/top-10-ways-make-mines-
more-environmentally-friendly
UNDP and UN Environment. (2018). Managing mining for sustainable development. Bangkok:
United Nations Development.