From continent to continent, illegal minershave inadvertently destroyed ecologically sensitive lands, contaminated rivers and drinking water with mercury and other toxins, and otherwise exposed many communities to serious environmental and health risks.
Countering illegal mining requires a balanced, long-term strategy that confronts it both directly, and while addressingits root causes.
For many in the gold mining industry in particular, illegal mining is seen as a factor most likely to dominate global mining challenges over the next 10 years.Recognizing that illegal miningcannot be completely eliminated, stakeholders can take steps to limit its expansion. Countering illegal mining requires a balanced, long-term strategy that confronts it both directly, and while addressingits root causes.
The following five policy-focused solutions are derived with the intention of providing practical, universal answers:
1) Identify and protect areas most susceptible to illegal mining activities
Because illegal mining generally occurs in abandoned shafts or within improperly closed mines, governments can implement intermediate and permanent measures to manage these sites and coordinate long-term monitoring systems. Areas around abandoned and closed mines can be designated 'high risk zones' and as such their access restricted.
2) Tighten regulatory controls on mine closures
To curb illegal mining, governments must ensure proper closure and security of all closed mines. In addition to financial guarantees, governments must insist that mining companies provide mine closure plans before granting permits. Contractual language can be employed to reinforce these efforts, wherein companies that fail to secure their closed mines are subject to face hefty penalties.
3) Establish a task-force to crackdown on illegal mining and trafficking
Not only do illegal miners operatewithout a permit, and on closed and abandoned mine sites, they also trespasson operating mines. The creation of a well-trained, mining-focused task force serves to enforce the ban onillegal mining, and protect license-holders whose mining areas are subject to these intrusions.
4) Monitor and regulate small-scale miners
Artisanal miners should be offered a channel to formally register with governmental agencies and should be encouraged to form local mining cooperatives. The cooperatives serve as a conduit to provide small-scale miners with the necessary skills training, including but not limited to education on the impact of irresponsible mining on health, safety and the environment. Permitting local mining cooperatives through this channel, enables the government to monitor and regulate mining practices and activities more closely.
5) Create alternative employment opportunities
So that local inhabitants are not driven to engage in illegal mining practices, providing economic opportunities to rural communities is a solution that has a lasting impact. Growth in non-mining sectorsof the economy create alternative employment opportunities in rural areas, and encourages the migration of labor out ofillegal mining.
These five solutions work best in tandem with one another as the nature and complexity of the problem necessitates a comprehensive approach.
Photo credit: Reuters
FAQs
dissemination of information, socialization and education about impact of illegal gold miners activity to the community, cooperation and coordination among relevant department and community support, curbing illegal gold mining can be done gradually and demand law enforcement which give a deterrent effect, set up social ...
What is the best solution for illegal mining? ›
dissemination of information, socialization and education about impact of illegal gold miners activity to the community, cooperation and coordination among relevant department and community support, curbing illegal gold mining can be done gradually and demand law enforcement which give a deterrent effect, set up social ...
What are four solutions for mining? ›
Out of the many mining methods available, four main methods are typically employed by the biggest mining companies in the world: underground, surface, placer and in-situ.
What are the 5 effects of illegal mining? ›
The effects of illegal mining on the environment include land degradation, loss of biodiversity, soil contamination, air and water pollution, and noise pollution. Illegal mining activities contribute to land degradation, permanently affecting the environment and posing a danger to present and future generations.
What is one solution for mining? ›
In situ leaching (ISL), also known as solution mining, involves leaving the ore where it is in the ground and using liquids that are pumped through it to recover the minerals out of the ore by leaching. Consequently there is little surface disturbance and no tailings or waste rock generated.
How can we reduce the impact of mining? ›
Discover five ways the mining industry can reduce environmental impact and make its practices more sustainable.
- Lower-Impact Mining Techniques.
- Reusing Mining Waste.
- Eco-Friendly Equipment.
- Rehabilitating Mining Sites.
- Shutting Down Illegal Mining.
- Improving Mining Sustainability.
Did you know? Ten fascinating mining facts
- Australia has the largest crude iron ore reserves in the world. ...
- Copper was one of the first metals to be unearthed. ...
- The world's largest open-pit mine is in Utah, USA. ...
- Pure gold can be molded with the hands. ...
- Mining is the biggest contributor to Australia's GDP.
Provide solutions to problems related to land reclamation, water and air pollution, and sustainability. Ensure that mines are operated in safe and environmentally sound ways.
What are the 5 mining processes? ›
The mining industry operates through a sequence of stages: exploration, discovery, development, production and reclamation. All stages of this Mining Cycle provide direct economic stimulus.
What is the best mining strategy? ›
The most basic strategy is to mine in a straight line at a 45° angle downwards, moving one block across for every block down. If the player dig out four blocks above each step instead of three, climbing back up is easier, since they won't "hit their head" with each jump up the steps.
Solutions to Strip Mining:
1. Reclamation – Reclamation is the process of restoring the land after mining activities have ended. This can include planting vegetation, reshaping the land, and creating wildlife habitats.
What are the 5 negative effects of mining? ›
Many negative impacts can result from mining activities. Some examples include climate change, deforestation/habitat destruction, pollution, soil erosion, human-wildlife conflict, and the loss of biodiversity.
What are the causes of illegal mining? ›
Spurred by widespread poverty and a lack of alternative income-earning opportunities, illegal artisanal mining is a well-documented phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa.
What is the alternative to strip mining? ›
Open-pit mining is similar to strip mining, except the ore is removed from an open pit which is not then filled in.
How do I get rid of slow mining? ›
Mining Fatigue III is the only level of mining fatigue that can be obtained without the use of cheats. Like all status effects, it can be removed by drinking milk. If you gain this effect by an elder guardian it will show a transperant ghostly image of an elder gaurdian flying from the top of the screen to the bottom.
How can we prevent illegal mining in Ghana? ›
AI offers promising solutions to the complex problem of illegal mining in Ghana. Through satellite imagery analysis, drone surveillance, predictive analytics, and community reporting tools, AI can significantly enhance the detection and prevention of unauthorized mining activities.
