Disasters and problems associated with mining

Disasters and

problems associated

with mining

Marta Navarro UrielLaura Ferrer Montañés

2011 - 2012

IntroductionWhat is mining?Mining  is the extraction of minerals, metals and other materials from earth.

Mining of stone and metal has been done since pre-historic times.

Minerals are a nonrenewable resource, and because of this, the life of mines is finite.

Mining around the world

Environmental impacts

- Habitat modification.

- Changes in topography and landscape.

- Surface and groundwater contamination.

- High levels of residues.

- Fugitive dust emissions.

- Changes in land - use and soil management.

- Climate change considerations.

Work in the mines

Dusteverywhere Air

poor

Temperaturehigh

Waterinundation

Agents

In addition…

- Human factors

- Organization

- Mining equipment machinery

- Explosive and flammable chemicals

- Climatology

Consequences

DiseasesFalls

Explosions

Collapses

Landslides

DISASTERS

Collapses1997 – Tanzania: more than 1000 dead (gold).2000 – Sierra Leone: 150 dead (diamond).2006 – Tasmania: 14 escape.2006 – Chile: 70 miners were trapped.2010 – Chile: 33 miners were trapped, rescued.

- 1906 – France: worst disaster in Europe, 1099 dead.

- 1913 – Wales: 439 dead.

- 1942 – China: 1549 dead.

- 1991 – China: 147 dead.

- 1992 – Turquía: 267 dead.

- 1994 – Filipinas: 119 dead.

- 2000 – China: 162 dead.

- 2002 – China: 164 dead.

- 2004 – China: 148 y 166 dead - in 2 explosions.

Explosions

Ecological disasterThe Doñana Ecological Disaster, 1998, a toxic spill of acid waste rich in heavy metals from the processing of pyrite ore.

1) Dam breaks and spillage of 5 million cubic meters.

2) Six kilometers from the park.

3) The contaminated water has arrived at the Guadalquivir mouth.The Malandar beach is affected by the spillage.

Bibliography- Actas del I Congreso Internacional de Minería y Metalurgia

en el contexto del a historia de la humanidad: psado, presente y futuro.

Editor: Josep M. Mata – Perelló.

- Guía para la identificación, evaluación y prevención de riesgos laborales en minería.

- http://www.wsws.org

- http://www.mining.com/

- http://es.euronews.net/

- http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/

- Revista: La minería y el Medio Ambiente, el recorrido de los minerales.

AEMA, ENDESA, Fundación SAMCA, Gobierno de Aragón.

Thank you for

your attention

“Grow and die underground”