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.

Q17. 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. (15 Marks, 250 words)

Approach

Begin by highlighting the economic importance of mineral resources for India’s growth while noting that mining is often criticized as an environmental hazard. In the body, discuss the negative impacts of mining on land, air, water, biodiversity, climate, and human health, citing data and case studies like Singrauli, Goa, Jharia, and Niyamgiri. Then explain the remedial measures: stricter laws (EPA 1986, NMP 2019), sustainable mining technologies, mine closure & afforestation, water/air pollution control, waste management, and community safeguards through DMFs. Conclude by stressing the principle of inter-generational equity and the need for balancing resource exploitation with environmental sustainability and community welfare.

According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, mining and quarrying contribute about 2% to India’s GDP directly, while indirectly supporting infrastructure and industrial growth. However, mining has been widely criticized as an environmental hazard due to its impacts on land, water, air, forests, and communities.

Why is mining considered an environmental hazard?

Land Degradation and Deforestation: Open-cast mining strips topsoil and forest cover, leading to permanent loss of biodiversity.
- Eg: Coal mining in Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh & UP) and Hasdeo Arand (Chhattisgarh) has led to large-scale forest loss, threatening elephant habitats.
Air pollution: Dust from drilling, blasting, and transportation leads to particulate pollution, silicosis, and respiratory diseases.
- Eg: Singrauli coalfields (Madhya Pradesh) experience high PM2.5 levels.
Water pollution: Mine drainage and slurry contaminate rivers and groundwater with heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury.
- Eg: Goa’s iron ore mining led to siltation and contamination of rivers, affecting fisheries.
Water Scarcity: Excessive dewatering of aquifers for mining reduces water availability for communities.
Noise and Vibration Hazards: Blasting in mines causes noise, ground vibrations, and damage to nearby settlements.
- Eg: Stone quarrying in Kerala and Karnataka has been linked to micro-seismic tremors.
Soil Erosion and Waste Generation: Overburden dumps and tailings occupy vast areas and contaminate soil.
- Eg: Uranium mining at Jaduguda (Jharkhand) has generated radioactive waste, raising health concerns.
Sand mining: It poses a serious threat by damaging the environment and communities, causing riverbed erosion, destabilizing riverbanks, reducing biodiversity, degrading water and soil quality
Climate Change Contribution: Mining operations consume fossil fuels and release methane from coal mines.
- As per IEA (2021), the mining sector contributes 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Loss of biodiversity: Mining in forest areas threatens flora and fauna.
- Eg: Bauxite mining in Odisha’s Niyamgiri hills endangered tribal habitats and wildlife.
Tribal Displacement: Mining often occurs in tribal belts (Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh), leading to land acquisition, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
Health hazards: Miners and nearby communities face respiratory diseases like silicosis and tuberculosis.
Accidents and Fires: Poorly managed mines pose risks of subsidence, explosions, and underground fires.
- Eg: The Jharia coalfield fire, burning for over a century, has displaced thousands.

Note

Ocean oil drilling threatens marine ecosystems through direct harm from seismic exploration and spills, which kill animals and damage habitats.

It causes pollution from chemical discharge, wastewater, and microplastics, and disruption of fish, coral, and mammal populations through toxicity and loss of insulation.

Remedial measures to reduce mining hazards

Policy and Regulatory Framework: Enforce strict compliance under the Environment Protection Act (1986), Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, and National Mineral Policy (2019).
- Further, implement Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and mandatory clearances with stronger monitoring.
Scientific and Sustainable Mining: Use eco-friendly mining technologies such as remote sensing, GIS mapping, and drone surveys to minimize impacts.
- Further, shift to underground mining where feasible to reduce land degradation.
Land Rehabilitation and Afforestation: Mandate mine closure plans with ecological restoration, soil stabilization, and compensatory afforestation.
- Eg: Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (Odisha) has reclaimed abandoned mines into eco-parks.
Water Management: Promote zero liquid discharge (ZLD), proper treatment of mine effluents, and use of constructed wetlands.
Air and Dust Control: Water spraying, controlled blasting, and green belts around mines can help reduce particulate emissions.
Waste Management: Safe disposal of overburden and tailings with geo-membrane lining should be implemented to prevent leaching.
- Further, mine waste can be promoted in road construction, cement, and backfilling.
Community and Health Safeguards: Strengthen District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) for healthcare, skill development, and livelihood alternatives for affected communities.
Adoption of Best Practices: India can learn from Australia’s mine closure framework and Canada’s sustainable mining initiatives where post-mining landscapes are converted into wetlands or community parks.
Climate Mitigation: Renewable energy should be encouraged in mining operations.
- Methane emissions can be captured from coal mines and integrated with India’s carbon market framework.

Mining is indispensable for India’s economic growth, but its environmental hazards make it a double-edged sword. As emphasized in the National Mineral Policy (2019), the guiding principle must be “Inter-generational equity”, ensuring that the exploitation of today does not compromise the rights of future generations.