Environmentally sustainable mining

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The continued discoveries of new oil, coal, and mineral reserves, improved recycling of materials, and advances in technology in recent years have largely lessened the fears of running out of non-renewable resources.  For instance, the development of technologies including froth floatation for processing certain metal sulphide ores, the Solvent Extraction-Electrowinning process for obtaining copper, and the use of cyanide in gold extraction have all made previously uneconomic grades of ore suitable for mining, thus increasing economically viable mineral reserves.

However, although mining itself may occur on a relatively small land area, the associated infrastructure and pollution from mining activities have the potential to affect the health of ecosystems and reduce their ability to provide the goods and services necessary for human and environmental well-being. These services include the purification of air and water and the decomposition of waste materials, which can be compromised where the ecosystems are overwhelmed by high levels of pollution. The importance of a healthy environment to future generations is recognized as a “pillar” of sustainable development.

In order to be more environmentally sustainable, mining operations are increasingly conducted in a manner that minimizes their impact on the surrounding environment, and leaves mine sites in an acceptable state for re-use by people or ecosystems. A number of management strategies and technologies are being developed and used by the mining industry to reduce the environmental impacts of mining.


NAME Aidarus Mohamed Ismail 

Email: Gacanqabad1@gmail.com    

Title: Environmental, water and Mining consultant 

Tell: +252615558038

Org: Somali Geo-science Society 

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