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Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining

Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining

The Mining Industry consists of the operation of mines, quarries, and wells, and the extraction of natural resources, such as solid and liquid minerals and gases, from the earth (NAICS 2007). Mineral and metal mining includes extraction of geological materials such as limestone or rock salt, and metals such as gold or copper.

CMap

The Mining Industry consists of the operation of mines, quarries, and wells, and the extraction of natural resources, such as solid and liquid minerals and gases, from the earth. Coral is a colonial marine animal consisting of polyps. Deforestation and Devegetation are the removal of trees and plants, including clear-cutting, to provide clear land for farms, roads, homes, buildings, and other infrastructure. Discharges are the intentional or unintentional distribution of chemicals, debris, or other pollution, into the environment as a consequence of human activities. Ditching & Soil Disturbance pertains to large-scale changes to the terrestrial landscape through channeling for irrigation, grading for roads & construction, and mining which disrupt and dislodge soil and can lead to sediment runoff into the watershed. Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems . Energy policy & development includes policies and regulations adopted to control the production, distribution, and consumption of energy. Food & energy policies are legislation, restrictions, and guidelines that pertain to sectors that harvest or extract natural resources. The Food and Raw Materials sector includes groups that harvest natural resources from the earth, including agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, forestry, mining, and the oil and gas industry. Landscape Changes are alterations of the natural landscape through human activities, including coastal development, shoreline armoring, impervious surfaces, deforestation, or soil disturbance, which can alter water flow patterns and lead to pollutant runoff into coastal systems. Landuse management pertains to responses that determine the use of land for development and construction. Marine products are non-food goods derived from reefs that promote human well-being (e.g, aquarium fish or ornamental resources) and human health (e.g., pharmaceuticals and cosmetics). The Mining Industry consists of the operation of mines, quarries, and wells, and the extraction of natural resources, such as solid and liquid minerals and gases, from the earth. The Mining Industry consists of the operation of mines, quarries, and wells, and the extraction of natural resources, such as solid and liquid minerals and gases, from the earth. Mining policies are specific to where, when, what and how non-living natural resources can be extracted. Non-point source pollution is runoff from diffuse sources that is caused by rainwater moving over and through the ground, carrying pollutants with it and depositing them in coastal waters. The Reef Ecosystem includes a suite of abiotic variables that form the physical and chemical environment. Pressures are human activities that create stress on the environment. Provisioning services are the products or ecosystem goods obtained from ecosystems, including seafood, genetic and biochemical resources, pharmaceuticals, ornamental resources, and water resources. The state of the Reef Ecosystem is the condition, in terms of quantity and quality, of the abiotic and biotic components including physical, chemical, and biological variables. Reef Habitat is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the benthic components of the reef ecosystem. Reef Life is the abundance, distribution, and condition of the biological components of the coral reef ecosystem. Responses are actions taken by groups or individuals in society and government to prevent, compensate, ameliorate or adapt to changes in Ecosystem Services or their perceived value. Rock production is the processes by which calcified coral skeletons can be harvested to form rocks and building blocks. Socio-Economic Drivers include the sectors that fulfill human needs for Food & Raw Materials, Water, Shelter, Health, Culture, and Security, and the Infrastructure that supports the sectors. Waterborne discharges include direct and indirect discharges of pollutants into the aquatic environment, including chemicals, nutrients, sediment, and pathogens.

CMap Description

Mining activities often lead to devegetation and soil disturbance which can increase runoff of sediments and toxic chemicals into the physical & chemical environment, and affect survival and growth of reef species. Mining sectors benefit indirectly from ecosystem services which improve the well-being of sectors, such as tourism & recreation, which drive coastal development and the need for mining activities. Energy management policies and landuse management can be enacted to require remediation activities or to regulate mining activities to reduce erosion or discharge.

Citations

Citation Year Study Location Study Type Database Topics
Musingwini, C. 2010. Techno-economic optimization of level and raise spacing in Bushveld Complex platinum reef conventional breast mining. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 110:425-436. 2010 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Valuation
Clark, M. R. and A. A. Rowden. 2009. Effect of deepwater trawling on the macro-invertebrate assemblages of seamounts on the Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers 56:1540-1554. 2009 Field Study & Monitoring; Index or Indicator Commercial Fisheries; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Finfish Harvest; Fishing Sector; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Stony Coral; Substrate; Trawling & Fishing Gear Damage
du Pisani, P., S. Coomber, G. Chitiyo, V. Daniso, and S. Mampa. 2009. The use of borehole radar in detecting disruptions in platiniferous horizons in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa-the financial implication. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 109:1-4. 2009 South Africa Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Voordouw, R. J. and N. J. Beukes. 2009. Alteration and metasomatism of the UG2 melanorite and its stratiform pegmatoids, Bushveld Complex, South Africa - characteristics, timing and origins. South African Journal of Geology 112:47-64. 2009 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Surface & Groundwater Flow
Edinger, E. N., K. Azmy, W. Diegor, and P. R. Siregar. 2008. Heavy metal contamination from gold mining recorded in Porites lobata skeletons, Buyat-Ratototok district, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Marine Pollution Bulletin 56:1553-1569. 2008 Indonesia Calcium Carbonate Deposition; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment; Stony Coral; Toxics
Maier, W. D. and S.-J. Barnes. 2008. Platinum-group elements in the UG1 and UG2 chromitites, and the Bastard reef, at Impala platinum mine, western Bushveld Complex, South Africa: Evidence for late magmatic cumulate instability and reef constitution. South African Journal of Geology 111:159-176. 2008 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Dambacher, J. M., D. T. Brewer, D. M. Dennis, M. Macintyre, and S. Foale. 2007. Qualitative modelling of gold mine impacts on Lihir Island's socioeconomic system and reef-edge fish community. Environmental Science and Technology 41:555-562. 2007 Papua New Guinea Field Study & Monitoring; Model Algae; Biological Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Finfish Harvest; Fish; Fishing Sector; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment
Mabuza, M. 2007. Two Rivers Platinum mine: The orebody, the mining method - A perfect match. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 107:43-49. 2007 Agriculture; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Surface & Groundwater Flow
Balaram, V., M. L. Patil, A. K. Agrawal, D. V. Subba Rao, S. N. Charan, M. Satyanarayanan, R. Mathur, K. Kapilavastu, D. S. Sarma, M. Sankara Gowda, S. L. Ramesh, P. Sangurmath, K. V. Anjaiah, B. Dasaram, R. K. Saxena, and Z. Begum. 2006. Preparation and certification of high-grade gold geochemical reference material. Accreditation and Quality Assurance 11:329-335. 2006 Tanzania; India; China Lab Study Collaboration & Partnering; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Campbell, G. 2006. High resolution aeromagnetic mapping of \loss-of-ground\" features at platinum and coal mines in South Africa". South African Journal of Geology 109:439-458. 2006 South Africa Model; GIS & Maps; Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Coal Mining; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Prichard, H. M., S.-J. Barnes, W. D. Maier, and P. C. Fisher. 2004. Variations in the nature of the platinum-group minerals in a cross-section through the Merensky reef at impala platinum: Implications for the mode of formation of the reef. Canadian Mineralogist 42:423-437. 2004 South Africa Model Agriculture; Hotel & Food Services; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Tsuchida, N., Y. Ozaki, O. Nakai, and H. Kobayashi. 2004. Development of process design for coral bay nickel project. Pages 151-160 in International Laterite Nickel Symposium. 2004 Japan; Philippines Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Bracher, P., G. Van den Berg, and W. Von der Linden. 2003. Developments of mechanized technologies for low seam height mining in platinum. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 103:35-41. 2003 Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Fallon, S. J., J. C. White, and M. T. McCulloch. 2002. Porites corals as recorders of mining and environmental impacts: Misima Island, Papua New Guinea. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66:45-62. 2002 Papua New Guinea Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Non-point Source Runoff; Sediment; Stony Coral
Hartman, W. and M. Handley. 2002. The application of the Q-tunnelling quality index to rock mass assessment at Impala Platinum Mine. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 102:155-165. 2002 South Africa Review; Index or Indicator Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies
Ogola, J. S., W. V. Mitullah, and M. A. Omulo. 2002. Impact of gold mining on the environment and human health: A case study in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 24:141-158. 2002 Kenya Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Toxics
LeDrew Ellsworth, F., MI KE Wulder, and HE AT HE R Holden. 2000. Change detection of satellite imagery for reconnaissance of stressed tropical corals. Pages 2678-2680 in International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS). 2000 Fiji Remote Sensing; Decision Support Frameworks & Tools Algae; Finfish Harvest; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Shoreline Armoring; Storms & Hurricanes; Surface & Groundwater Flow
Barnes, D. J. and J. M. Lough. 1999. Porites growth characteristics in a changed environment: Misima Island, Papua New Guinea. Coral Reefs 18:213-218. 1999 Australia; Papua New Guinea Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Sediment; Stony Coral
Cawthorn, R. G. 1999. The platinum and palladium resources of the Bushveld Complex. South African Journal of Science 95:481-489. 1999 Global Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Lomberg, K. G., E. S. Martin, M. A. Patterson, and J. E. Venter. 1999. The morphology of potholes in the UG2 Chromitite layer and Merensky Reef (pothole reef facies) at Union Section, Rustenburg Platinum Mines. South African Journal of Geology 102:209-220. 1999 Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Duane, M. J., G. Pigozzi, and C. Harris. 1997. Geochemistry of some deep gold mine waters from the western portion of the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 24:105-123. 1997 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies
Ilgner, H. J. and C. P. Kramers. 1997. Lateral hydraulic transportation of comminuted reef and waste in future concentrated mining operations. Journal of The South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 97:83-88. 1997 South Africa Review Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Brits, P. C., A. L. R. Carvalho, and J. T. Pressly. 1995. Evaluation of the effectiveness of bromochlorodimethylhydantoin as a disinfectant for mine underground service water. Pages 25-34 in Water Supply. 1995 South Africa Drinking Water Supply; Microorganisms; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Pathogens; Water
Pahl, A. and L. Liedtke. 1991. In-situ determination of air permeability and diffusion properties of helium in sedimentary iron ore. Pages 595-602 in [No source information available]. 1991 Germany Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment
Matthews, M. 1990. Ventilation of backfilled stopes. Theoretical and practical considerations. Journal of the Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa 43:22-28. 1990 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
McKenna, PE TE R. 1989. Application of estimation error studies for decision-making regarding sampling patterns on a South African gold mine. Pages 304-318 in Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry. 1989 South Africa Model Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Hamilton, L. H. 1987. Gold mining history of Woodlark Island, Papua New Guinea. Pages 809-810 in Proceedings Pacific Rim Congress 87, (Australasian Institution of Mining & Metallurgy). 1987 US Pacific & Hawaii; Papua New Guinea Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
McKelvey, V. E. 1987. Subsea mineral resources. US Geological Survey Bulletin 1987 Calcium Carbonate Deposition; Coal Mining; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Salamon, M. D. G. 1986. Role Of Automation In The Mining Of Tabular Deposits At Depth. Pages 11-Jul in IFAC Proceedings Series. 1986 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Verster, D. M. 1984. Practical Experience With The Replicast Fm (Full Mould) Process At The Standard Brass Iron And Steel Foundries. in Proceedings of the Annual Conference - Steel Castings Research and Trade Association. 1984 Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Edelman, N. and M. Jaanus-Jarkkala. 1983. A plate tectonic interpretation of the Precambrian of the archipelago of southwestern Finland. Bulletin, Geological Survey of Finland 325. 1983 Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment
ANON,. 1982. Beisa Uranium And Gold Mine Opens. Page 138 ENG MIN J. 1982 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining
Molotlegi, GE OR GE. 1975. Mining In The Homelands. South African Mining and Engineering Journal 88:11-Oct. 1975 South Africa Agriculture; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Archer, A. A. 1974. Progress And Prospects Of Marine Mining. Mining Magazine 130:150-151. 1974 Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Pipelines; Toxics
JULYAN, GD. 1970. Footwell raising on President Steyn Cold Mine, using the Geiger Counter. Pages 169-176 Ass Mine Managers of South Africa, Pap and Discussions. 1970 South Africa Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining Policies; Waste Management Policies
WISLON, JW and RC MORE-O'FERRALL. 1970. Application of the electrical resistance analogue to mining operations. Pages 209-280 Ass Mine Managers of South Africa, Pap and Discussions. 1970 South Africa Model Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining
Wilson, R. C. L. 1968. Upper Oxfordian palaeogeography of southern England. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 4:28-May. 1968 England Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Sediment
Clark, M. R. and A. A. Rowden. Effect of deepwater trawling on the macro-invertebrate assemblages of seamounts on the Chatham Rise, New Zealand. Deep-Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers Field Study & Monitoring; Index or Indicator Commercial Fisheries; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Finfish Harvest; Fishing Sector; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Stony Coral; Substrate; Trawling & Fishing Gear Damage

Management Options

Management Option Description Sources Database Topics
Landuse Management: Mine Reclamation Lands disturbed by mining must be reclaimed to their Approximate Original Contour (AOC). Mine operators must backfill, compact, and grade in order to restore the AOC of the land with all highwalls, spoil piles, and depressions eliminated. Spoil material is prone to erosion, and may carry various disturbed toxics into groundwater if not properly managed. Temporary roads and impervious surfaces may have also been constructed for mining purposes. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. National Handbook of Conservation Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. POSTMINING LAND USE: Exceptions to Approximate Original Contour Requirements for Mountaintop Removal Operations and steep Slope Mining Operations. Washington, DC.

Chemical Use Regulations; Civil Engineering & Construction; Coal Mining; Construction Codes & Projects; Decision Support; Deforestation & Devegetation; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Ecosystem Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring & Restoration; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Food & Raw Materials; Hydrologic Management; Impervious Surfaces; Infrastructural Policies; Land-Based Civil Engineering; Landscape Changes; Landscape Conservation & Restoration; Landuse Management; Manufacturing & Trade; Manufacturing & Trade Policies; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Mining Policies; Mitigation; Non-point Source Controls; Non-point Source Runoff; Physical & Chemical Water Quality Criteria; Political Pressure; Remediation; Resource Use Management; Sediment; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Toxics; Valuation; Waterborne Discharges
Restoration: Land Reclamation Integrating Toxic Discharge Controls This option aims to eliminate unsightly residues, reduce erosion and control acid or otherwise toxic aqueous discharges from abandoned coal mines, coalmine waste or other types of land change. For toxic mine drainage, preventative actions include mine sealing, infiltration control, day lighting, and neutralization with alkaline material such as hydrated lime. Which action to take relies heavily on groundwater and runoff in the region of the mine. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2011. National Handbook of Conservation Practices. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Aquaculture; Coal Mining; Discharge Limitations; Discharges; Ditching & Soil Disturbance; Hydrologic Management; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Mining; Mining Policies; Non-point Source Controls; Ocean Acidity; Surface & Groundwater Flow; Toxics; Waterborne Discharges

Laws

Legal Citation Purpose of Law Management Organization Database Topics
Clean Air Act, 42 United States Code §§ 7400 et seq. To ensure Americans have clean air to breath, and to protect the environment from air pollution. Regulates air emmissions from area, stationary and mobile sources. Charges federal land managers with direct responsibility to protect the "air quality and related values" of land under their control. The "related values" include fish and widlife and their habitats. The Clean Air Act is the law that defines EPA's responsibility for protecting and improving the nation's air quality and the stratospheric ozone layer.

Application to Coral Reefs:The Act would decrease carbon dioxide emissions from sources in the United States, thereby making a contribution toward reducing ocean acidification, which is one of the problems contributing to coral reef decline.

Legislative Actions:Response will differ from State to State because many Sates have been delegated to administer the Clean Air Act. However, States cannot have air quality standards less stringent then the federal standards. State air pollution agencies hold permit hearings and fines industries that violate air quality limits. States must develop state implementation plans that require approval by EPA.

Comments:The 1990 amendments authorized the Acid Deposition Control Program, a program to control 189 toxic pollutants, established permit program requirements, expanded and modified the attainment of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and expanded and modified enforcement authority. 		United States Environmntal Protection Agency

Jurisdiction:
United States 		Carbon Storage & Cycling; Climate Regulation; CO2; Energy Policy & Development; Environmental Monitoring, Mapping, & Scientific Research; Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Improved Technology; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Natural Gas & Electric Power; Non-Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Nutrient & Contaminant Processing; Nutrients; Oil & Gas Research & Exploration; Oil & Gas Rigs; Point & Mobile Source Controls; Political Pressure; Transportation Policies; Wood, Plastics, & Chemical Products
Water quality based effluent limitations, 62-650 Florida Administrative Code Annotated (1996). To implement the provisions of Section 403.051, 403.085 through 403.088 concerning the development of effluent limitations for wastewater facilities.

Application to Coral Reefs:The Florida Air and Water Pollution Act establishes that no wastes are to be discharged to any waters of the state without first being given the degree of treatment necessay to protect the beneficial uses of such water. Requiring treatment of industrial and domestic waste water indirectly protects adjoining ecosystem, such as reefs, by limiting the pollutant that reach these other systems.

Legislative Actions:The Department shall not issue a permit for a discharge to waters of the state, unless the Department has established an efflent limit for those pollutants in the discharge that are present in quantities or concentrations which can be reasonably expected to cause or contribute, directly or indirectly, to a violation of any water quality standard established in rule 62-302. The effluent limit may be a technology based effluent limit (TBEL), a water quality based effluent limit (WQBEL) determined by a Level 1 process, or where applicable, a WQBEL determined by a Level 2 process.

Comments: 		Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Jurisdiction:
US State Waters; Designated Marine Areas 		Agriculture, Aquaculture, & Forestry Policies; Applied Chemicals; Building & Home Construction; Cleaner & Solvent Use; Coal Mining; Construction Codes & Projects; Dam Construction & Maintenance; Domestic Animal Waste; Dredging, Draining, & Filling; Fertilizer & Pesticide Use; Finfish & Shellfish Stock; Fish; Food, Beverage, & Tobacco Products; Irrigation; Landuse Management; Lobster, Crab, & Shrimp; Metals, Electronics, & Machinery Products; Mineral, Rock, & Metal Mining; Non-point Source Runoff; Nutrient & Contaminant Processing; Nutrients; Physical & Chemical Water Quality Criteria; Point Source Discharges; Road Construction & Maintenance; Sediment; Sewage Treatment; Solid Waste Disposal; Utility Line Construction & Maintenance; Waste Management Policies; Wastewater Discharge; Waterborne Discharges; Wholesale & Retail Trade; Wood, Plastics, & Chemical Products

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