Mineral resources are fundamental to the country's economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.

Mining, despite its economic necessity, is widely recognized as an environmental hazard due to its extensive and often irreversible impacts on natural ecosystems and human health. These impacts manifest across various environmental components:

Why Mining is Considered an Environmental Hazard

• Land Degradation and Habitat Destruction: Mining operations, particularly opencast mining, require clearing vast tracts of land, leading to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of entire ecosystems. This can create massive "canyon-sized holes" in the earth, altering topography and causing soil erosion and degradation. The removal of topsoil and overburden also changes the chemical composition of the soil, affecting its fertility.
• Water Pollution and Contamination: One of the most significant concerns is water pollution. Mining processes often use hazardous chemicals like cyanide and sulfuric acid for mineral extraction, which can seep into and contaminate rivers, lakes, and groundwater. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), formed when sulfide-bearing minerals are exposed to air and water, creates acidic runoff that mobilizes contaminants and pollutes water sources. This impacts water quality and availability for communities and aquatic life.
• Air Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mining activities contribute significantly to air pollution through the release of dust, particulate matter, and toxic gases from blasting, drilling, transportation, and processing. Coal mining, in particular, releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The mining industry contributes between 4% and 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change.
• Waste Generation: Mining generates enormous quantities of waste, including overburden (waste rock) and tailings (fine, leftover material from mineral processing). Improper management of these wastes can lead to landslides, soil erosion, and the release of heavy metals and other hazardous substances into the environment.
• Noise and Vibrations: Heavy machinery, blasting, and transportation associated with mining operations generate significant noise and vibrations, disturbing local communities and wildlife.
• Socio-Economic Impacts: Beyond direct environmental harm, mining often leads to displacement of local and tribal communities, loss of livelihoods, and adverse health effects from exposure to pollutants.

Remedial Measures to Reduce Environmental Hazards Due to Mining

Mitigating the environmental impact of mining requires a multi-faceted approach involving policy, technology, and community engagement. Key remedial measures include:

1. Regulatory and Policy Frameworks:

• Stringent Environmental Clearances: Implementing and enforcing robust Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for all mining projects, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. The Environment Protection Act, 1986, and the EIA Notification 2006 mandate such assessments.
• Legal Enforcement and Monitoring: Strengthening the enforcement of laws like the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. Regular monitoring by bodies like the Central and State Pollution Control Boards (CPCB and SPCBs) is crucial.
• Curbing Illegal Mining: Strict measures to identify and shut down illegal mining operations, which often bypass environmental regulations.
• Mine Closure Plans: Mandating comprehensive mine closure plans that include ecological restoration, land reclamation, and post-closure monitoring, ensuring that environmental liabilities are addressed long after operations cease.

2. Technological Advancements and Sustainable Practices:

• Green Mining Technologies: Adopting advanced technologies such as surface miners, continuous miners, and high-wall mining, which reduce blasting, dust generation, and land disturbance. Blast-free mining technologies are being promoted by PSUs like Coal India Limited (CIL).
• Efficient Waste Management:
  • Backfilling and Reclamation: Using overburden and mine waste for backfilling mined-out areas, followed by land leveling, topsoil application, and revegetation.
  • Tailings Management: Implementing modern tailings dams, dry stacking, or paste backfill methods to minimize environmental risks from tailings. Extracting valuable minerals from mining waste can also reduce waste and generate revenue.
• Water Conservation and Treatment:
  • Recycling and Reuse: Implementing recirculating water supply technology for processing and vehicle washing.
  • Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment: Using active and passive treatment systems, such as limestone addition to overburden or constructed wetlands, to neutralize acidic discharge and remove heavy metals.
  • Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge: Implementing measures to replenish groundwater in mining areas.
• Air Pollution Control: Using water sprinklers and fog cannons on haul roads and open pit walls, installing filters and flue gas cleaners in processing plants, and transporting minerals in covered trucks to minimize dust and gaseous emissions.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Promoting the use of renewable energy sources in mining operations to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Ecological Restoration and Community Engagement:

• Afforestation and Bio-reclamation: Extensive plantation drives and bio-reclamation of mined-out areas and overburden dumps. Initiatives include multi-tiered plantations, seed ball plantations, and drone-based seed casting. From FY 2019–20 to FY 2024–25, approximately 13,400 Ha of land have been brought under green cover by PSUs.
• Ecosystem Restoration: Restoring degraded habitats and promoting biodiversity conservation.
• Community Participation: Engaging local communities in planning and monitoring environmental management plans, addressing their concerns, and ensuring fair rehabilitation and resettlement.