The Range of Environmental Concerns - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 550

Exploration and
Ore Extraction

Ore Processing
and Plant Site

Infrastructure,
Access and Energy ssioning

MINING ACTIVITIES

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Air
Quality

Increased ambient particulates (TSP and PM-10)
Increased ambient Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 )
Increased ambient Oxide of Nitrogen (NO 2 )
Increased ambient heavy metals
Altered hydrologic regimes
Altered hydrogeological regimes
Increased heavy metals, acidity or pollution
Increased turbidity
Risk of groundwater contamination
Loss of rare natural habitats and biodiversity (OP 4.04)
Loss of rare and endangered species
Effects of induced development on ecology
Effects on riverine ecology and fish
Impacts due to effluents or emissions
Resettlement issue (OD 4.30)
Effects on Indigenous Peoples (OD 4.20)
Loss of cultural heritage or religious sites
Loss of livelihood
Induced development issues
Effects on aesthetics and landform
Noise issues
Occupational health and safety concerns
Hazards from process chemicals or explosives
Potential increase in disease vectors
Increased potential for respiratory disorders
Effects of subsidence on surface resources
Agricultural land losses
Loss of forestry resources (OP 4.36)
Effects surface water resources (OP 4.07)
Effects groundwater resources (OP 4.07)
Disruption to infrastructure
Effects on fisheries

Hydrology,
Hydrogeology
and Water
Quality

Ecology and
Biodiversity

Social
Concerns

Occupational
and Public
Health
Concern

Resource
Issues

FIGURE 13.14
Example of the
Intersection of Mining
Operations and
Biodiversity

While this fi gure identi-
fi es the intersections
that need to be evalu-
ated, it should not be
concluded that all these
intersections will reduce
biodiversity. This is
certainly not the case.

Source:
ICMM 2003