Table 1 Impact of coal resources exploitation on the ecological environment.
From: Impact and elastic modulus of coal mining on terrestrial ecosystems
Mining technology | Types | Forms | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
Open-pit mining | Direct damage | Digging and damaging land | The construction of open-pit mines, along with the final excavation belt conveyor, intercepting ditches, and other related excavations, leads to the removal of land and damages vegetation |
Occupying land | Coal waste, fly ash, mining buildings, structures, and roadways exert continuous pressure on the land, damaging surface vegetation | ||
Changing hydrogeological conditions, polluting land, air, water and so on | Land dredging, surface subsidence, erosion, and soil heavy metal pollution are among the environmental challenges we face. These issues can lead to the acidification of surface and groundwater. Furthermore, problems associated with erosion rock dumps, dump dust, spontaneous combustion of rock dumps, gas emissions and dust pollution during blasting, exhaust gas pollution from perforation, transportation, and other operations also contribute to environmental degradation | ||
Indirect damage | Inducing geological disaster | Slope, landslide, collapse, etc. | |
Seismic wave shock | Seismic and shock waves can destroy both artificial structures and natural features, causing damage to buildings and other constructions during blasting operations | ||
Noise pollution | Noise pollution, resulting from blasting and various industrial operations, can adversely affect the hearing and overall health of residents in surrounding areas | ||
Underground mining | Direct damage | Ground settlement | Underground mining leads to the movement and deformation of surface rock strata, resulting in ground subsidence, which can be divided into surface seepage subsidence, no surface seepage subsidence and so on |
Occupying land | Waste dumps, buildings, structures, engineering pipelines, highways, and other infrastructures exert pressure on the land, damaging surface vegetation | ||
Changing hydrogeological conditions, polluting land, air, water and so on | Land dredging, surface subsidence, and heavy metal pollution in soils are among the environmental issues faced. When surface water and groundwater flow into mines, they cause changes in the water table levels and lead to the acidification of both surface water and groundwater, resulting in water pollution within the mining areas. The leachate from these processes further contaminates surrounding water bodies and soils. Additionally, dust from dumps, as well as emissions from transportation and other operational activities, contribute to air pollution | ||
Indirect damage | Inducing geological disaster | Ground cracks, debris flows, collapses, etc. | |
Noise pollution | Noise pollution generated by both surface and underground operations adversely affects the hearing and overall health of residents in the surrounding areas |
