Environmental Benefits of Surface Mining By Peter n. Grimshaw

Most forms of economic activity affect the environment in ways which can be claimed to be detrimental. Some of the worst results were produced in the pasty by mining. However, handled correctly, surface mining can have beneficial effects and the author discusses this, talking examples from coal mining activities in Great Britain.

SURFACE mining by its very nature causes severe disturbance to the surface of earth and, with associated activities , is undoubtedly detrimental to human, animal and plant life in the short-term. Any long-term permanent effects, albeit often conjectural, are rightly the subject of much critical attention and debate.

If, however, after taking into account a wide range of economic, social and environmental factors, surface mining is deemed a necessity, then not only can the inevitable and traumatic losses to the quality of both the natural and manmade environments during extraction operations be minimized, but actual long-term gains can result. The planning for, and creation of, such environmental benefits rarely receives the attention it deserves; but recognition of these benefits is necessary if a board and balanced perspective on this emotive form of economic activity is to be achieved.

Environmental benefits from opencast mining can range from something as small-scale as the planting of wild roses on a former site which were then harvested as the basis of a health preparation, to the possible rehabilitation of Cutacre colliery tip, claimed to be the largest of its type in Europe. This is on the proposed 600 ha Lomax site between Little Hulton, Atherton and Tyldesley in Lancashire.

ВАРІАНТ II