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Which of the following methods of extraction is the most damaging to the environment?

A. Surface mining
B. Subsurface mining
C. Placer mining
D. None of the above

Please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Answer :

Final answer:

Surface mining is considered the most damaging method to the environment due to its extensive land degradation and pollution impacts. This method leads to habitat destruction, acid mine drainage, and disruption of ecosystems. Other methods like subsurface and placer mining have less severe immediate effects on land but can still cause environmental harm.


Explanation:

Environmental Impact of Mining Methods

Among the methods of extraction, surface mining is considered the most damaging to the environment. This method involves blasting away layers of soil and rock to access minerals close to the Earth's surface, leading to significant land degradation, water pollution, and ecosystem disruption. Notably, practices such as mountaintop removal and strip mining contribute to large-scale habitat destruction and can result in severe problems like acid mine drainage, which occurs when sulfide minerals exposed by mining react with water and air to form sulfuric acid, severely affecting local water resources.

In contrast, subsurface mining tends to have a lesser immediate environmental impact since it minimizes surface disruption; however, it can still lead to issues like subsidence and water contamination. Placer mining, while it can be environmentally invasive, primarily affects waterways rather than large land areas. Therefore, in evaluating these methods based on environmental damage, the answer is effectively option a. surface mining.


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