Mining and Natural Environment

Mining is one of the old human activities just like agriculture, fishery, forestry, manufacturing etc. Human lives are supported by obtaining and utilizing mineral resources from the earth's crust.

The Distinctive Features of Mines and Mining include but not limited to the following:

• Non-renewable assets - Mining Industry is based on non-reproducible and depleting assets. 
• Location  - Mining takes places where the ore body is reachable at economic value.
• Environment Impacts - Mining may disturb and contaminate the surrounding environments.
• Local Community Relations - Usually mines are located in the remote areas, thus close relationship with local communities is strongly encouraged.
• Working Condition - Occupational Health and Safety are the first priorities of mining.
• High Risk and Vulnerability - Mining Projects are susceptible to a variety of risks.
• Long Leading Time - Engineering works and permission to open a new mine need a longer term.
• Required Engineering Ability - Stable and successful mining is likely dependent on a combination of widely used practical technologies.
• Capital Advantage - Intense capital is required for continuous prospect or explore new deposits and endure risky business.

Out of the distinctive features of mines and mining, one of the most critical agenda around the globe is the Environment Impacts related to mining.

Environment Impact in mining is unavoidable but can be controlled to minimize the aftermaths. Mining is a backbone of a country's economic growth. In Papua New Guinea(PNG), the country's economy is mostly dependent on the extractive Industry which include Mining and Petroleum.

Some people in PNG speak negative about mining and encourage the protection of the natural environment. It should be understood that, before gardening, it must be cultivation of the land for farming. Then sacrifice the vegetation to farm the land. Similarly, the forest and the surrounding environment is sacrificed to mine out what is on/beneath the earth's crust including ocean floor.

There are legislations, prevention and treatment techniques available to safeguard and protect the environment from the waste generated from the mines.