Why is Open Pit Mining so Devastating to the Environment?

Open pit mining is a type of surface mining done in an open environment using a mechanical process. It has a lot of negative impacts on the environment. A study has shown that open pit mining releases 8 to 10 times the amount of waste material into the environment compared to underground mining. The effects of open pit mining on the soil, the water, the air, and the living things around the mining area are significant. In this article, we will talk about open-pit mining and some of the environmental problems it causes. So let’s get started. What is Open Pit Mining Open-pit mining involves mining the earth's surface to extract minerals or ores in a shallow layer of the earth. If mineral ores are in a deep layer of the earth, we need an underground tunnel to get them out. This is not possible in an open environment. In surface mining, the shape is already planned and optimised for maximum yield. Most open-pit materials are non-coal, but it also depends on the nature of the mineral or...