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Compare the mineral extraction processes of surface mining to subsurface mining in terms of the benefits and environmental impacts of each mining process.

Answer :

Final answer:

Surface mining involves removing overburden to access near-surface minerals, offering cost-effectiveness but causing extensive environmental harm. Subsurface mining, while less visually impactful, carries risks like subsidence and water pollution. Both methods have their benefits but pose significant environmental challenges.

Explanation:

Surface and subsurface mining are two primary methods for extracting mineral resources. Each method has distinct benefits and environmental impacts. Surface mining involves removing soil and rock (overburden) that cover mineral deposits near the earth's surface. This method includes techniques such as open-pit mining, strip mining, and mountaintop removal. On the other hand, subsurface mining targets deposits that are deeper underground, requiring tunnels or shafts to reach the mineral resources.

Benefits and Environmental Impacts

  • Surface mining allows for the efficient extraction of minerals that are closer to the surface. It is generally more cost-effective than subsurface mining for these deposits. However, it leads to significant environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, soil erosion, and water pollution from sediment and mining by-products.
  • Subsurface mining does not disrupt the surface landscape extensively, preserving the surface ecosystem to a greater extent. Despite this, it has profound environmental consequences such as subsidence, water pollution from mine drainage, and the release of greenhouse gases like methane.

Both mining methods contribute to the tangible benefits of resource extraction for human use but also pose serious environmental challenges that need to be addressed. The choice between surface and subsurface mining depends on numerous factors, including the depth and nature of the mineral deposit, economic viability, and potential environmental impacts.

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