Mining produces materials used in manufacturing all kinds of products, from consumer goods to fertilizers to energy supplies. During the 20th Century, per capita resource consumption rose 400%. Today, the production of goods and services requires, on average, over eighty tons of natural resources annually per person, including materials from mining. By 2050, that consumption of natural resources is expected to rise by an additional factor of three. Mining has a huge environmental impact including erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. Besides damage to the environment, the contamination resulting from leakage of chemicals can affect the health of the local populations. There are a number of ways to reduce the environmental impacts of mining. Consider the list here: All BUT ONE is a cost-free minimize the negative consequences of mining.
A) Using recycled materials instead of mined materials.
Eliminate
B) Substitution of other materials and processes with more environmentally friendly materials and processes.
C) Reduction of the consumer goods used or the content of minerals in manufactured processes could be reduced.
D) Companies and governments can be held accountable for abandoned sites and be required to carry out an environmental cleanup.