According to research conducted by Earthworks, approximately 180 million tons of waste are dumped into rivers, lakes, and the ocean by mining companies each year. This waste often contaminates waterways used by local residents.
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This contaminated water is known as acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD byproducts contaminate drinking water, introduce mercury and heavy metals into the food chain, and cause illness in humans and animals, even for generations.
2. The heap leaching process produces a lot of waste.
Heap leaching is a process widely used by gold mines. According to Earthworks, heap leaching involves dripping a cyanide solution through large piles of ore.
These are then placed in ponds and an electrochemical process is carried out to extract the gold. While this method is cost-effective, it results in 99.99 percent of the ore being turned into waste.
Not many people know that gold mining areas are filled with these toxic piles, some reaching 100 meters high. Sadly, to cut costs, gold mining companies often intentionally abandon these piles.
3. Threatens Conservation Areas
The mining industry, including gold mining, threatens natural areas, including officially protected areas and conservation areas.
In fact, nearly three-quarters of currently active mines overlap with conservation areas. Mining activities are a major threat to biodiversity. 4. Causes mercury pollution
Mercury is extremely dangerous to human health. According to Brilliant Earth, mercury has been shown to damage the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, colon, brain, and immune system.
People who are frequently exposed to mercury will experience fatigue, weight loss, tremors, and behavioral changes. In children and fetuses, mercury exposure can even disrupt neurological development.
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For your information, mercury is used in small-scale gold mining to extract gold from sediments and rocks.
Gold miners produce 2 grams of mercury for every gram of gold extracted.
At least 1,000 tons of mercury are released into the environment each year. And 35 percent of mercury pollution is human-caused. Mercury can flow from rivers into the ocean, and may then enter the bodies of fish.