Mining operations can be very damaging to the environment, so groups like the EDF urge the use of GIS to make smarter choices about mine locations.
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is an American organization devoted to using practical science to make commercial and industrial practices more environmentally friendly. Specifically, the EDF focuses on slowing and reversing global warming and climate change, and reducing habitat destruction. In the area of mining, the EDF urges the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to help companies make informed decisions about mining sites.
Bedrock
Geologists use GIS technology to create comprehensive maps of large areas, which often include the specific types of bedrock (such as shale or granite) present in different regions. This can be very useful information to mining corporations. Some types of bedrock are more likely than others to contain certain minerals or ores. Gold, for example, is often discovered on schist bedrock. Having a clearer idea of where to mine maximizes yield and prevents unnecessary blasting and destruction.
Terrain
Mountaintop removal is a common mining technique in which large slabs of rock and earth are blown up and removed from the tops of mountains or large hills. It can be very difficult to reconstruct complex topographical formations after mining. However, GIS shows mining companies the structure of different areas before mining so they can plan the reclamation process accordingly. If an area is structurally unsound or may be permanently damaged by mining, the companies know to avoid it.
Nearby Water Sources
One of the most common negative environmental effects of mining is water pollution. The chemicals used throughout blasting and ore extraction often end up running off into nearby streams, lakes and rivers. Gold mining uses selenium, which can poison fish and other animals. The chemicals can also find their way into human drinking water supplies or end up in the atmosphere as the water evaporates. Because of these risks, GIS mapping of nearby water sources is very useful when evaluating potential mine sites.
Nearby Habitats
Just as GIS can map out water features in an area, it can also display the region's woodlands and climate information. Some habitats and ecosystems are more sensitive to pollution or disruption than others, or contain more endangered species. Mining corporations, often under pressure from the EDF, attempt to avoid projects in these areas, where the effects of mining activities are especially harmful. GIS technology allows the construction of mines in places where they will have the fewest negative environmental consequences.
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