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{{Short description|none}}
{{prose|date=July 2009}}
{{Economy of the United States sidebar}}
'''] in the ]''' has been active since colonial times, but became a major industry in the 19th century with a number of new mineral discoveries causing a series of mining "rushes."
] in the ] has been active since the beginning of colonial times, but became a major industry in the 19th century with a number of new mineral discoveries causing a series of mining rushes. In 2015, the value of coal, metals, and industrial minerals mined in the United States was US$109.6 billion. 158,000 workers were directly employed by the mining industry.<ref name="auto">US Geological Survey, , 2016.</ref>

The mining industry has a number of impacts on communities, individuals and the environment. Mine safety incidents have been important parts of American ] history. Mining has a ]. In the United States, issues like ], and ] have widespread impacts on all parts of the environment. As of January 2020, the EPA lists 142 mines in the ].<ref name=":1mius">{{Cite web|title=Abandoned Mine Lands: Site Information|url=https://www.epa.gov/superfund/abandoned-mine-lands-site-information|last=US EPA|first=OLEM|date=2015-05-27|website=US EPA|language=en|access-date=2020-05-06}}</ref>

In 2019, the country was the 4th world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gold.pdf|title=USGS Gold Production Statistics}}</ref> 5th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-copper.pdf|title=USGS Copper Production Statistics}}</ref> 5th worldwide producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-platinum.pdf|title=USGS Platinum Production Statistics}}</ref> 10th worldwide producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-silver.pdf|title=USGS Silver Production Statistics}}</ref> 2nd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-rhenium.pdf|title=USGS Rhenium Production Statistics}}</ref> 2nd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-sulfur.pdf|title=USGS Sulfur Production Statistics}}</ref> 3rd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-phosphate.pdf|title=USGS Phosphate Production Statistics}}</ref> 3rd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-molybdenum.pdf|title=USGS Molybdenum Production Statistics}}</ref> 4th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lead.pdf|title=USGS Lead Production Statistics}}</ref> 4th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-zinc.pdf|title=USGS Zinc Production Statistics}}</ref> 5th worldwide producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-vanadinum.pdf|title=USGS Vanadinum Production Statistics}}</ref> 9th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-iron-ore.pdf|title=USGS Iron Ore Production Statistics}}</ref> 9th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-potash.pdf|title=USGS Potash Production Statistics}}</ref> 12th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-cobalt.pdf|title=USGS Cobalt Production Statistics}}</ref> 13th largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-titanium-minerals.pdf|title=USGS Titanium Production Statistics}}</ref> world's largest producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-gypsum.pdf|title=USGS Gypsum Production Statistics}}</ref> 2nd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-kyanite.pdf|title=USGS Kyanite Production Statistics}}</ref> 2nd largest world producer of ];<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-lime.pdf|title=USGS Lime Production Statistics}}</ref> in addition to being the 2nd largest world producer of ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2021/mcs2021-salt.pdf|title=USGS Salt Production Statistics}}</ref> It was the world's 10th largest producer of ] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear.org/Information-Library/Facts-and-Figures/Uranium-production-figures|title=- World Nuclear Association|website=world-nuclear.org}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
The extraction of minerals from the Earth dates back to the Ancient ]' mining of copper in 3000 BCE.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kinematics |first=General |date=2019-05-23 |title=Brief History of Mining & Advancement of Mining Technology |url=https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-mining-and-the-advancement-of-mining-technology/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=General Kinematics |language=en-US}}</ref> Mining for ancient civilizations was often extremely dangerous involving the use of stone tools or hands for excavation.<ref name=":3" /> By the Middle Ages, stone tools were replaced by explosives, black powder, to break-up larger rock formations.<ref name=":3" /> ] in the United States found iron ore at the Jamestown settlement which resulted in a mining operation beginning in 1620; however, the operation was cut short due to the presence of ] at the site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mining History in the United States – Legends of America |url=https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-mininghistory/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.legendsofamerica.com}}</ref>&nbsp; Despite several small mining endeavors beginning in the 17th and 18th centuries, mining did not gain major traction in the United States until the 19th century.<ref name=":3" /> In terms of technology, explosives such as black powder were phased out as dynamite increased in popularity as a new mining method in the 19th century.<ref name=":3" /> The ] began in 1848 after the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848. By the year 1849, over 80,000 people had relocated to California in search of gold.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=California Gold Rush {{!}} Definition, History, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/California-Gold-Rush |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Eventually, the Gold Rush peaked in 1852 and concluded by the early 1900s.<ref name=":4" />

See also: See also:
*], ], ], US (1799) *], ], ], US (1799)
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*], ] (1899–1909) *], ] (1899–1909)
*], ], Alaska (1902–1905) *], ], Alaska (1902–1905)

==Mining by commodity==
'''Top Commodities mined in the US, 2019'''
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable"
! style="background:#DDDDFF;" | Rank
! style="background:#DDDDFF;" | Commodity
! style="background:#DDDDFF;" | Value, US$ billion
|-
| align=center | 1
| align=left| Coal
| align=center | 25.1
|-
| align=center | 2
| align=left| Crushed rock
| align=center | 18.7
|-
| align=center | 3
| align=left| Cement
| align=center | 12.5
|-
| align=center | 4
| align=left | Gold
| align=center | 9.0
|-
| align=center | 5
| align=left| Construction sand and gravel
| align=center| 9.0
|-
| align=center | 6
| align=left| Copper
| align=center| 7.9
|-
| align=center | 7
| align=left| Industrial sand and gravel
| align=center| 5.7
|-
| align=center | 8
| align=left| Iron ore
| align=center| 5.4
|-
! colspan=3 style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 0.9em; text-align: left; padding: 6px 2px 4px 4px;" | Source: US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodities Summaries, 2020.<ref name="usgs">{{cite book |title=Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020 |date=31 January 2020 |publisher=US Geological Survey |location=Reston, Virginia |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2020/mcs2020.pdf |access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref>
|}


==Mining by mineral== ==Mining by mineral==
*]
*] *]
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]
*]
*] *]
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*]


==Mining by state== ==Mining by state==
{{Main|:Category:Mining in the United States by state&nbsp;or territory}}
*] *]
*] *]
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*] *]
*] *]
*]
*]
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==Mining accidents== ==Mining accidents==
] ]
From 1880 to 1910, mine accidents claimed thousands of fatalities. Where annual mining deaths had numbered more than 1,000 a year during the early part of the 20th century, they decreased to an average of about 500 during the late 1950s, and to 93 during the 1990s.<ref> U.S. Department of Labor</ref> In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured (an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999), but overall there has been a downward trend of deaths and injuries. From 1880 to 1910, mine accidents claimed thousands of fatalities, with more than 3,000 in 1907 alone.<ref>{{cite book |title=Minerals Yearbook, Volume 3 |date=1995 |publisher=US Bureau of Mines |location=Washington DC |isbn=978-1345966411 |page=7 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=fDP1-3aL4fsC|page=7}} |access-date=14 June 2020}}</ref> Where annual mining deaths had numbered more than 1,000 a year during the early part of the 20th century, they decreased to an average of about 500 during the late 1950s, and to 93 during the 1990s.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210095305/http://www.msha.gov/MSHAINFO/FactSheets/MSHAFCT8.HTM |date=2016-02-10 }} U.S. Department of Labor</ref> In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured (an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999), but overall there has been a downward trend of deaths and injuries.


The ] was the worst mining accident of American history; 362 workers were killed in an underground explosion on December 6, 1907 in ], ]. The ] was created in 1910 to investigate accidents, advise industry, conduct production and safety research, and teach courses in accident prevention, first aid, and mine rescue. The ]s of 1969 and 1977 set further safety standards for the industry. The ] was the worst mining accident of American history; 362 workers were killed in an underground explosion on December 6, 1907, in ], ]. The ] was created in 1910 to investigate accidents, advise industry, conduct production and safety research, and teach courses in accident prevention, first aid, and mine rescue. The ]s of 1969 and 1977 set further safety standards for the industry.


In 1959, the ] occurred in ]. The swelling ] river collapsed into a mine under it and resulted in 12 deaths. In ], the ] resulted in the deaths of 108 miners and two rescue workers after a fire in the only shaft eliminated the oxygen in the mine. Federal laws for mining safety ensued this disaster. Pennsylvania suffered another disaster in 2002 at ], 9 miners were trapped underground and subsequently rescued after 78 hours. During 2006, 72 miners lost their lives at work, 47 by coal mining. The majority of these fatalities occurred in ] and ], including the ].<ref> U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref><ref> U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref> On April 5, 2010, in the ] an underground explosion caused the deaths of 29 miners. In 1959, the ] occurred in ]. The swelling ] river collapsed into a mine under it and resulted in 12 deaths. In ], the ] resulted in the deaths of 108 miners and two rescue workers after a fire in the only shaft eliminated the oxygen in the mine. Federal laws for mining safety ensued this disaster. Pennsylvania suffered another disaster in 2002 at ], 9 miners were trapped underground and subsequently rescued after 78 hours. During 2006, 72 miners lost their lives at work, 47 by coal mining. The majority of these fatalities occurred in ] and ], including the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418180957/http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/allstatesnew.asp |date=2007-04-18 }} U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221005053/http://www.msha.gov/stats/charts/coalbystate.asp |date=2007-02-21 }} U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007</ref> On April 5, 2010, in the ] an underground explosion caused the deaths of 29 miners.

== Environmental impact ==
{{Further|Environmental impact of mining}}
Mining has environmental impacts at many stages in the process and production of mining. In the United States, many different regions in the United States have environmental challenges caused by either historical or current mining.

=== Mountain top removal ===
{{Excerpt|Mountaintop removal mining}}

=== Abandoned mines ===
There are tens of thousands of abandoned mines in the United States. Many abandoned mines pose environmental challenges, such as ]. In Colorado alone, there are 18,382 abandoned mines.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Abandoned Mines and Naturally Occurring Acid Rock Drainage on National Forest System Lands in Colorado|url=http://coloradogeologicalsurvey.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/USFS-ICARD2000-paper-Final1.pdf|last1=Sares|first1=Matthew A.|last2=Gusey|first2=Daryl L.|date=1999|website=www.coloradogeologicalsurvey.org|publisher=Colorado Geological Survey|access-date=October 25, 2016|last3=Neubert|first3=John T.}}</ref> The United States has had many different environmental disasters caused by these mines, such as the ]. Many ] are mines. {{As of|2020|January}}. the EPA lists 142 mines in the Superfund program<ref name=":1mius" />

=== Water pollution ===
Fresh water is used in the mining process for the extraction of minerals like ] and the processing of ore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mining Water Use {{!}} U.S. Geological Survey |url=https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/mining-water-use |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.usgs.gov |language=en}}</ref> After the water has cycled through the mining process, it is discharged as effluent. The effluent or drainage is acidic due to the presence of ]. Acid-rich water drainage can lead to environmental implications including contaminated drinking water and disruption of ] near the mining site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mining and Water Quality {{!}} U.S. Geological Survey |url=https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/mining-and-water-quality |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=www.usgs.gov}}</ref> In addition to the detrimental effects caused by mining drainage, the mining process is responsible for depleting groundwater supplies. The ] River basin is being dried to support a copper mine in Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mining and Water Pollution |url=https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/miningandwaterpollution |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Safe Drinking Water Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Land degradation ===
44% of mining facilities in the United States are located in forests. Large-scale mining in areas of ], like Brazil, release pollutants detrimental to neighboring ]s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Farmer |first=Matt |date=2021-03-22 |title=Mining and deforestation: the unheeded industry challenge? |url=https://www.mining-technology.com/features/mining-and-deforestation-the-unheeded-industry-challenge/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |website=Mining Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> Copper mining efforts in the Carajas Mineral Province in Brazil result in 6,100&nbsp;km of deforestation every year.<ref name=":1" /> Mining also results in a loss of ]. Deforestation as well as the release of toxic chemicals to both the air and water can affect neighboring plant and animal life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Addressing biodiversity impacts from mining: Progress made and opportunities to act at COP15 - Forest Declaration |url=https://forestdeclaration.org/biodiversity-impacts-from-mining/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> 40% of all global mines are located in areas of increased biodiversity that have experienced decline in species population due to surrounding industry.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Spotlight on biodiversity risk and opportunity in the mining sector – United Nations Environment – Finance Initiative |url=https://www.unepfi.org/themes/ecosystems/spotlight-on-biodiversity-risk-and-opportunity-in-the-mining-sector/ |access-date=2023-04-21 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Chemicals used in the mining process also result in ] that strips the land of essential nutrients affecting surrounding plant and animal life.<ref name=":2" />

== Controversies ==
Mines are often controversial in their local areas, with local residents split by those in favor particularly due to the economic impact of new jobs and those concerned by the environmental impact and occupational hazards. In the case of the proposed ], the ] found that tribes have the right to regulate water and air, which destroyed the economic feasibility of the project.<ref>Bergquist, Lee. 2002. "Decision puts water quality in tribe's hands; Sokaogon can set standard near mine." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/4/2002, 1A.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
*]
*] *]
*] *]
*]
*] *]
*] *]
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{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}


{{North America topic|Mining in}}
{{Americas topic|Mining in}}
{{Economy of the United States}}
{{United States topics}} {{United States topics}}
{{World topic|Mining in|noredlinks=yes}}

{{USGS}}
{{Include-DOL}}


] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 10:06, 14 November 2024

This article is part of a series on the
Economy of the United States
Coat of arms of the United States
Economic history
Sectors
Primary sector
Secondary sector
Tertiary sector
Financial services
Largest companies
Economy by state
State statistics
Economy by city or county
Labor
Labor Law

Employment

Mining in the United States has been active since the beginning of colonial times, but became a major industry in the 19th century with a number of new mineral discoveries causing a series of mining rushes. In 2015, the value of coal, metals, and industrial minerals mined in the United States was US$109.6 billion. 158,000 workers were directly employed by the mining industry.

The mining industry has a number of impacts on communities, individuals and the environment. Mine safety incidents have been important parts of American occupational safety and health history. Mining has a number of environmental impacts. In the United States, issues like mountaintop removal, and acid mine drainage have widespread impacts on all parts of the environment. As of January 2020, the EPA lists 142 mines in the Superfund program.

In 2019, the country was the 4th world producer of gold; 5th largest world producer of copper; 5th worldwide producer of platinum; 10th worldwide producer of silver; 2nd largest world producer of rhenium; 2nd largest world producer of sulfur; 3rd largest world producer of phosphate; 3rd largest world producer of molybdenum; 4th largest world producer of lead; 4th largest world producer of zinc; 5th worldwide producer of vanadium; 9th largest world producer of iron ore; 9th largest world producer of potash; 12th largest world producer of cobalt; 13th largest world producer of titanium; world's largest producer of gypsum; 2nd largest world producer of kyanite; 2nd largest world producer of limestone; in addition to being the 2nd largest world producer of salt. It was the world's 10th largest producer of uranium in 2018.

History

The extraction of minerals from the Earth dates back to the Ancient Egyptians' mining of copper in 3000 BCE. Mining for ancient civilizations was often extremely dangerous involving the use of stone tools or hands for excavation. By the Middle Ages, stone tools were replaced by explosives, black powder, to break-up larger rock formations. Colonists in the United States found iron ore at the Jamestown settlement which resulted in a mining operation beginning in 1620; however, the operation was cut short due to the presence of Native Americans at the site.  Despite several small mining endeavors beginning in the 17th and 18th centuries, mining did not gain major traction in the United States until the 19th century. In terms of technology, explosives such as black powder were phased out as dynamite increased in popularity as a new mining method in the 19th century. The California Gold Rush began in 1848 after the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848. By the year 1849, over 80,000 people had relocated to California in search of gold. Eventually, the Gold Rush peaked in 1852 and concluded by the early 1900s.

See also:

Mining by commodity

Top Commodities mined in the US, 2019

Rank Commodity Value, US$ billion
1 Coal 25.1
2 Crushed rock 18.7
3 Cement 12.5
4 Gold 9.0
5 Construction sand and gravel 9.0
6 Copper 7.9
7 Industrial sand and gravel 5.7
8 Iron ore 5.4
Source: US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodities Summaries, 2020.

Mining by mineral

Mining by state

Main page: Category:Mining in the United States by state or territory

Mining accidents

Non-coal mining fatalities in the United States, 1911-2014 (data from US Department of Labor)

From 1880 to 1910, mine accidents claimed thousands of fatalities, with more than 3,000 in 1907 alone. Where annual mining deaths had numbered more than 1,000 a year during the early part of the 20th century, they decreased to an average of about 500 during the late 1950s, and to 93 during the 1990s. In addition to deaths, many thousands more are injured (an average of 21,351 injuries per year between 1991 and 1999), but overall there has been a downward trend of deaths and injuries.

The Monongah Mining Disaster was the worst mining accident of American history; 362 workers were killed in an underground explosion on December 6, 1907, in Monongah, West Virginia. The U.S. Bureau of Mines was created in 1910 to investigate accidents, advise industry, conduct production and safety research, and teach courses in accident prevention, first aid, and mine rescue. The Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Acts of 1969 and 1977 set further safety standards for the industry.

In 1959, the Knox Mine Disaster occurred in Port Griffith, Pennsylvania. The swelling Susquehanna river collapsed into a mine under it and resulted in 12 deaths. In Plymouth, Pennsylvania, the Avondale Mine Disaster resulted in the deaths of 108 miners and two rescue workers after a fire in the only shaft eliminated the oxygen in the mine. Federal laws for mining safety ensued this disaster. Pennsylvania suffered another disaster in 2002 at Quecreek, 9 miners were trapped underground and subsequently rescued after 78 hours. During 2006, 72 miners lost their lives at work, 47 by coal mining. The majority of these fatalities occurred in Kentucky and West Virginia, including the Sago Mine Disaster. On April 5, 2010, in the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster an underground explosion caused the deaths of 29 miners.

Environmental impact

Further information: Environmental impact of mining

Mining has environmental impacts at many stages in the process and production of mining. In the United States, many different regions in the United States have environmental challenges caused by either historical or current mining.

Mountain top removal

This section is an excerpt from Mountaintop removal mining.
Mountaintop removal site
Mountaintop removal site in Pike County, Kentucky

Mountaintop removal mining (MTR), also known as mountaintop mining (MTM), is a form of surface mining at the summit or summit ridge of a mountain. Coal seams are extracted from a mountain by removing the land, or overburden, above the seams. This process is considered to be safer compared to underground mining because the coal seams are accessed from above instead of underground. In the United States, this method of coal mining is conducted in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States. Explosives are used to remove up to 400 vertical feet (120 m) of mountain to expose underlying coal seams. Excess rock and soil is dumped into nearby valleys, in what are called "holler fills" ("hollow fills") or "valley fills".

The practice of MTM has been controversial. While there are economic benefits to this practice as well as important contributions to the availability of affordable energy, there are also concerns for environmental and human health costs. Recognizing mountaintop removal as a "humanitarian crisis," members of Congress with the support of Appalachian residents introduced the ACHE ACT in 2012 to enact a moratorium on the mining practice until a health report could be undertaken. Author and journalist Jeff Biggers, who covered the coal mining industry in his Reckoning in Appalachia reports for 25 years, called mountaintop removal "an immoral crime against nature and our citizenry, and it must be abolished, not regulated.”

Abandoned mines

There are tens of thousands of abandoned mines in the United States. Many abandoned mines pose environmental challenges, such as acid mine drainage. In Colorado alone, there are 18,382 abandoned mines. The United States has had many different environmental disasters caused by these mines, such as the 2015 Gold King Mine waste water spill. Many Superfund sites are mines. As of January 2020. the EPA lists 142 mines in the Superfund program

Water pollution

Fresh water is used in the mining process for the extraction of minerals like coal and the processing of ore. After the water has cycled through the mining process, it is discharged as effluent. The effluent or drainage is acidic due to the presence of sulfuric acid. Acid-rich water drainage can lead to environmental implications including contaminated drinking water and disruption of aquatic environments near the mining site. In addition to the detrimental effects caused by mining drainage, the mining process is responsible for depleting groundwater supplies. The Santa Cruz River basin is being dried to support a copper mine in Arizona.

Land degradation

44% of mining facilities in the United States are located in forests. Large-scale mining in areas of Latin America, like Brazil, release pollutants detrimental to neighboring rainforests. Copper mining efforts in the Carajas Mineral Province in Brazil result in 6,100 km of deforestation every year. Mining also results in a loss of biodiversity. Deforestation as well as the release of toxic chemicals to both the air and water can affect neighboring plant and animal life. 40% of all global mines are located in areas of increased biodiversity that have experienced decline in species population due to surrounding industry. Chemicals used in the mining process also result in soil erosion that strips the land of essential nutrients affecting surrounding plant and animal life.

Controversies

Mines are often controversial in their local areas, with local residents split by those in favor particularly due to the economic impact of new jobs and those concerned by the environmental impact and occupational hazards. In the case of the proposed Crandon mine, the U.S. Supreme Court found that tribes have the right to regulate water and air, which destroyed the economic feasibility of the project.

See also

References

  1. US Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2016.
  2. ^ US EPA, OLEM (2015-05-27). "Abandoned Mine Lands: Site Information". US EPA. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  3. "USGS Gold Production Statistics" (PDF).
  4. "USGS Copper Production Statistics" (PDF).
  5. "USGS Platinum Production Statistics" (PDF).
  6. "USGS Silver Production Statistics" (PDF).
  7. "USGS Rhenium Production Statistics" (PDF).
  8. "USGS Sulfur Production Statistics" (PDF).
  9. "USGS Phosphate Production Statistics" (PDF).
  10. "USGS Molybdenum Production Statistics" (PDF).
  11. "USGS Lead Production Statistics" (PDF).
  12. "USGS Zinc Production Statistics" (PDF).
  13. "USGS Vanadinum Production Statistics" (PDF).
  14. "USGS Iron Ore Production Statistics" (PDF).
  15. "USGS Potash Production Statistics" (PDF).
  16. "USGS Cobalt Production Statistics" (PDF).
  17. "USGS Titanium Production Statistics" (PDF).
  18. "USGS Gypsum Production Statistics" (PDF).
  19. "USGS Kyanite Production Statistics" (PDF).
  20. "USGS Lime Production Statistics" (PDF).
  21. "USGS Salt Production Statistics" (PDF).
  22. "- World Nuclear Association". world-nuclear.org.
  23. ^ Kinematics, General (2019-05-23). "Brief History of Mining & Advancement of Mining Technology". General Kinematics. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  24. "Mining History in the United States – Legends of America". www.legendsofamerica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  25. ^ "California Gold Rush | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  26. Mineral Commodity Summaries 2020 (PDF). Reston, Virginia: US Geological Survey. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  27. Minerals Yearbook, Volume 3. Washington DC: US Bureau of Mines. 1995. p. 7. ISBN 978-1345966411. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  28. Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United States Archived 2016-02-10 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of Labor
  29. All Mining Fatalities By State Archived 2007-04-18 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007
  30. Coal Fatalities By State Archived 2007-02-21 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, 15 January 2007
  31. "Appeals Court Upholds Mountaintop Removal Mining". www.ens-newswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  32. "Mountaintop Mining Research". www.epa.gov. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  33. "Mountaintop Mining and Valley Fills in Appalachia (MTM/VF) - Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement". Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  34. Sares, Matthew A.; Gusey, Daryl L.; Neubert, John T. (1999). "Abandoned Mines and Naturally Occurring Acid Rock Drainage on National Forest System Lands in Colorado" (PDF). www.coloradogeologicalsurvey.org. Colorado Geological Survey. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
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  38. ^ Farmer, Matt (2021-03-22). "Mining and deforestation: the unheeded industry challenge?". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  39. "Addressing biodiversity impacts from mining: Progress made and opportunities to act at COP15 - Forest Declaration". 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
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  41. Bergquist, Lee. 2002. "Decision puts water quality in tribe's hands; Sokaogon can set standard near mine." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/4/2002, 1A.
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