User:Kyra Robertson/sandbox

The impact of surface mining on the topography, vegetation, and water resources has made it highly controversial.

Surface mining is subject to state and federal reclamation requirements, but adequacy of the requirements is a constant source of contention. Unless reclaimed, surface mining can leave behind large areas of infertile waste rock, as 70% of material excavated is waste.

To properly clean and restore a once operational surface mine requires a large sum of money and extensive remediation plans. Some mining companies do not have the funds to properly clean up therefor the environment is negativity effected. Federal governments have emplace multiple laws and regulations which mining companies have to strictly follow. In the United States, the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 mandates reclamation of surface coal mines. Reclamation for non-coal mines is regulated by state and local laws, which may vary widely. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and many more.

Human health

Communities that are located near a surface mining operation are at high risk for health impacts. Health studies have been conducted on humans that work or live near surface mines. Air pollution dramatically affects human health. Particulate matter such as particles of dust, metals, acid, and soil suspended in the air can be inhaled and affect one's health. Once inhaled, they may decrease lung function, lung capacity, cardiovascular desires and worse case, cancer. Large exposed surface areas like strip, open-pit, mountaintop removal and highwall mines contribute to extensive air pollution and suspended particulate matter. Miners that work in surface mines are at high direct risk for health complications, whereas local communities experience different effects. People who live near a surface mine can experience health effects such as cardiovascular problems, water contamination where metals or acid leach into the groundwater and contaminated agriculture. Western Virginia has large surface mining productions like mountaintop removal, which can lead to the contamination of groundwater quality and quantity, interns affect the communities at the base of the Appalachian mountains. Federal governments like Canada have specific legislation to keep the miners, communities and the environment safe. The Environmental Code of Practice for Metal Mines (ECPMM), Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER), Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, and many other laws and legislation have been implemented to help protect the health of the people.

The United Mine Workers of America has spoken against the use of human sewage sludge to reclaim surface mining sites in Appalachia. The UMWA launched its campaign against the use of sludge on mine sites in 1999 after eight UMWA workers became ill from exposure to Class B sludge spread near their workplace.

Environmental impact

Surface mining can have both a negative and positive effect on the local environment. The negative effects can be extremely destructive in soil quality, water contamination, air and noise pollution, landscape alteration and many other negative impacts. The flip side is the positive ramification, with new technology, it has become easier to properly treat the local water supply and restore the local ecology, which helps rebuild the environment.

Each type of surface mining has its environmental impact. After Strip mining operations have ended, the tailings are placed back into the hole and covered up to make the site resemble the landscape before the mining operation. Topsoil may be placed over the tailing along with planting trees and other vegetation. Another method is filling in the hole with water to create an artificial lake. Large tailing piles left behind may contain heavy metals which can leach out acids such as lead and copper and enter into water systems. Open-pit mining is one of the world's largest types of mine. The size of these operations leaves behind massive landscape scars, destruction to environmental habitats, and substantial clean-up cost. An open-pit mine can yield an enormous quantity of waste rock, sinkholes, flooding and the same negative impacts as strip mining. Mountaintop removal mining is destructive. The removal of whole mountaintops leaves the landscape permanently altered. The waste rock is left on the surrounding land, filling rivers, valleys and physically changing the landscape and affecting ecosystems. Throughout the Appalachians in states such as Kentucky and Virginia, mountaintop removal is a common mining method where whole forests are cleared and the area becomes vulnerable to possible landslides. Dredging is another form of surface mining where the environmental impacts are primarily found underwater. The method of extracting material from the seafloor or any water body leads to the harmful risk of marine life. Overall, the effect is far less compared to the other mining methods. The influx of sediment can burry flora and fauna, change water levels and alter the oxygen content. Water and noise pollution is a concern that must be monitored. Highwall mining has a lower environmental impact than mountaintop removal because of the smaller external surface area present. Air and noise pollution from blasting are common environmental effects along with the large tailing piles.

According to a 2010 report in the journal Science, mountaintop mining has caused numerous environmental problems which mitigation practices have not successfully addressed. For example, valley fills frequently bury headwater streams causing permanent loss of ecosystems. In addition, the destruction of large tracts of deciduous forests has threatened several endangered species and led to a loss of biodiversity.