Mining is one of those industrial operations that does not only hurt the local environment on a temporary basis, but it can practically change the geology, ecology and air quality around the operation area permanently. Furthermore, a big mining operation can even have global impacts, depending on the nature, magnitude, time period and method of the operation.
Although it is a necessary field for sustaining the world economy, there is little doubt about the fact that mining operations need to be made more ecofriendly if the industry itself has to have a future. Doing so isn’t as difficult as it used to be, thanks to the rapid advancements made in the field of mining technology lately. On that note, let’s discuss a few methods which the industry can adopt to make sustainable mining a reality.
Selection of Energy Efficient Mining Equipment
Mining equipment, especially the energy & combustion systems used in the industry, have seen massive improvements lately, which has simultaneously boosted their work and power-efficiency. To know more about state-of-the-art energy and combustion systems used in power generation, mining operation and other industrial segments, visit lindbergprocess.com.
Adoption of Solar Power in Mining Operations
Solar energy is infinite and we cannot waste it; therefore, it makes perfect sense for large mining companies to adopt mobile PV systems, so that the sun can supply at least a portion of their huge need for energy. It is hoped that in the near future, when our photovoltaic systems become even more energy efficient, they will be able to power a majority of mining operations in favorable parts of the world.
Waste Management Planning
There is solid, liquid and gaseous waste being created during the course of a mining operation, and most of it will either end up as landfill or mix in with the groundwater. Some of it can also be toxic, which often causes various health issues in the local human and animal population. To prevent this from happening, mining operations need an adequate waste management plan which takes into account all three kinds of waste.
A few highlight steps that can be taken to improve waste management are as follows:
- Recover resources from the waste as much as possible
- Reusage of the recovered resources to reduce cost and waste
- Filtration and breaking down of toxic discharge, both in its gaseous and liquid form
For a better understanding of various sustainable waste management practices, check out this page.
Awareness has increased to a great extent within the global mining industry and governments in various parts of the world are trying to clamp down on the frequency of noncompliant mining operations every year.
The methods we discussed are already being implemented and even improved upon, but unfortunately, knowledge alone is not sufficient in developing economies. In spite of realizing the full environmental impact of heavy mining operations, there are regions around the world which do not conform to globalized mining standards even today.
