Importance of Sustainable Mining for Environment Conservation

Opencast mining leaving behind a barren area devoid of any vegetation, soil, fauna and eroded slopes consisting of overburden material and water with heavy sediments load. From unplanned mining operation huge amount of waste product have been dumped in adjacent areas and excavated sites had been left behind. These areas are completely devoid of vegetation and soil, so associated with various environmental problem, such as loss of forest and agricultural land, extinction of natural flora and fauna, problems of erosion and sliding, siltation of river depriving local inhabitants from getting their day to day needs of fuel, fodder, and timber etc. Unscientific and reckless exploitation of mineral deposits without any thought for consequential environmental effect became a matter of concern and produce an opposition that besides improving many legislations and regulations for further leases brought the operation to complete halt. Restoration of disturbed areas by mining is now a legal requirement. Renewals of degraded resources, land, air, water, vegetation are named differently as reclamation, restoration or rehabilitation. Reclamation refers to a new use of land following a scientific and systematic method. Restoration refers to creation original topographic and vegetative condition and restoring the previous land-use by following measures that are ecologically sound. Rehabilitation is similar to restoration to improve the visual nature of the site by improving soil, vegetation and microclimate. Reclamation of mined disturbed areas should be based on sound ecological principles which implies that the reclaimed area must acquire the properties at least to level, which existed before mining had commenced. Biological restoration and reclamation is more than mere plantation of trees. It should start with grasses for early green cover and later on should be followed by shrubs and trees. In all plantation work preference should be given to the local species is neither the first nor the last use of land, it is necessary that the entire land is reclaimed after mining for beneficial use, bearing in mind the losses that our countries is sustaining on account of continuing degradation of land resources are of staggering dimensions and constitute one Surface mining is grave threats to environment and agrarian economic progress. As the nature takes over a century to make the top soil and devastating the land is pressing socio-economic problem concerning future generation. Better planning of reclamation system to bring back abandoned land to beneficial use in short period is important part of mine plan now. Planning for post mining land-use enables the mining operation to be coordinated with concurrent land restoration works. Reclamation and afforestation involve works in operational aspects and large volume of landscape aspect. The establishment of vegetation on abandoned and active mine sites as well as the over burden heaps is rather difficult because of altered pH, lack of organic matter and moisture, coarse rock fragments and many other adverse biological and chemical factors. Consequently the plants may not find it congenital to grow on those areas, which lack good soil, favorable nutrients and water retention capacity. Plants species which can grow in harsh environment have to be selected for rehabilitation. It has been proved by several ecologists that natural reclamation is slow which force to imply artificial restoration for accelerating rapid ecosystem development. Soil performs the vital function in sustaining biological diversity and productivity so reclamation of soil should be given importance along with selection of species for reclamation. Mine spoils are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus and some requires lime to enhance plant growth so reclamation technique for these affected sites consists of several steps, each of them playing an important role. Usually the measures taken can be categorized into two types, the mechanical and the biological. Mechanical measures are applied on the basis of topography and the quantum of measures that includes erection of structures like toe wall, gabion check dam and drop structures are important for controlling erosion, conserving soil particle and helping the vegetation to grow. Plant species which can grow in adverse environment and provide a basis for ecological restoration have to be selected only after thoroughly investigating the ecology, growth behavior and socio-economic values of various plans. Mine spoil can be used for establishment of perennial vegetation, cultivated crops, ponds over the entire area. Temporary vegetation is used to stabilize the surface until perennial vegetation can be established to hold the soil against water and wind erosion. Sustainable mining practices significantly contribute in environment conservation if used timely for people and environment.