Mining Paper 2 May/June 2015

Question 7

State four adverse effects of mining on the environment.  

Observation

This question was well attempted by the candidates and many of them scored
 high marks. 

The answers they gave included:

  • mine collapse;
  • flooding of mines;
  • increase in geothermal gradient;
  • poor ventilation;
  • mine explosion;
  • cave-in;
  • release of poisonous gases;
  • rock burst;
  • water pollution;
  • dust pollution;
  • land degradation;
  • noise pollution;
  • ground vibration;
  • destruction of vegetation.