Articles tagged with Mining Engineering
A new study reveals that gold mining significantly restricts Amazon forest regeneration, leading to substantial losses in carbon sink capacity. The research highlights the urgent need for active land management and restoration to recover tropical forests on previously mined lands.
A study by University of Seville experts found an important decrease in total metal concentrations and a shift towards less toxic forms in the River Guadiamar sediment. The research suggests that measures taken after the disaster have improved water quality, but ongoing monitoring is necessary to maintain this progress.
A study by Duke University scientists found that native communities hundreds of kilometers away from gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon have high levels of mercury exposure, leading to intellectual deficits and IQ losses. Children with higher mercury levels in their hair showed cognitive effects, even at lower exposure levels.
A comprehensive analysis of a mountainous region in Southwest China reveals the driving mechanisms behind changes in soil chemical composition and distribution. Human activities like mining disrupt natural processes, affecting land quality and ecosystem health.
Researchers found high concentrations of selenium in stream insects and spiders that eat them, indicating pollutants move from water to land as they form the food chain. The study showed that even streams without mining contamination can still have selenium-rich spiders, highlighting the persistence of toxic substances.
The Global Tailings Portal provides detailed information on over 1,700 tailings dams worldwide, helping the industry reduce dam failures and minimize environmental impact. The database brings transparency to the mining industry, benefiting regulators, researchers, and local communities.
The research found that cryptocurrency mining is associated with worse air quality and increased CO2 emissions, impacting communities nationwide. The study estimates that in 2018, every $1 of Bitcoin value created was responsible for $0.49 in health and climate damages.
Research reveals artisanal gold mining is altering water clarity and dynamics in the Madre de Dios River watershed, causing increased sediment levels that contain mercury and other contaminants. This has severe impacts on fish populations and other aquatic life, disrupting natural seasonal cycles and habitat of endangered species.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices in Nigerian gold mining communities has reduced blood lead levels among miners by 32%. The study, published in the British Medical Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, also found that women miners experienced lower reductions in lead levels. The project's success demonstrat...
Researchers at ICTA-UAB found that 10% of metals enter the sea through underground discharges, while recirculation transports the rest. Groundwater and sediments are more contaminated by metals than surface marine waters.
Researchers are studying ventilation systems in large-opening mines to reduce diesel particulate matter exposure and improve workplace safety. They aim to develop new tools for booster fan optimization, air recirculation modeling, and seasonal ventilation pressure analysis.
Researchers at West Virginia University are developing an autonomous robotic system to monitor the structural integrity and safety of underground mines. The system will provide high-resolution 3D maps for assessment of pillar and roof damage, enabling a rapid response to detected degradations in stability.
Representative John Yarmuth receives the ESA Regional Policy Award for his advocacy on clean water, environmental stewardship, and climate change. The award recognizes his use of ecological science to inform policy decisions.
A German university-led research project is investigating and testing biological methods for remediating soils contaminated with metal. The goal is to find the best combination of fungi and trees to convert heavy metals into biominerals or remove them from the soil.
Researchers studying a $750,000 grant at the University of Illinois Chicago aim to understand how various mining dusts contribute to lung disease. They plan to collect dust samples and expose mice to different combinations to determine the most damaging mixtures.
Researchers created an empirical energy consumption model to estimate Bitcoin's power consumption and associated carbon emissions. The study found that Bitcoin's carbon footprint measures up to that of Kansas City, contributing to global climate change concerns.
Research presented at ATS 2019 reveals that younger generations of coal miners are more susceptible to deaths from black lung disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to older generations. This trend suggests a potential increase in respiratory health risks among younger workers.
Progressive massive fibrosis, a severe form of black lung disease, is increasing among coal miners, despite unknown causes. Analysis of lung tissue samples from 1996 to 2019 failed to detect an increase in silicotic PMF, suggesting alternative explanations for the trend
Researchers found elevated levels of lead in sediment cores from Utica, Tunisia, linked to tailings from lead-silver mining, which began around the middle of the 4th century BC. This discovery suggests that Carthage's North African territory provided a source of economic resilience during the Punic wars.
Kate Smits' team is working with residents and local universities to find environmentally-friendly solutions that respect ancestral ways of life. The goal is to make artisanal and small-scale gold mining safer, cleaner, and more sustainable.
Rosa Maria Rojas, a University of Arizona professor, has been awarded the Outstanding Young Professional Award by the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. She is the first Peruvian to win the award, recognizing her significant contributions to the minerals industry.
Researchers have identified a matrix of 12 risk categories that consider environmental, social, governance and mineralogical factors affecting the viability and accessibility of complex copper orebodies. The study found that 75% of undeveloped copper orebodies face environmental, social and governance challenges.
New research reveals China's coal mining regulations have not reduced methane emissions, despite a goal to remove or convert 5.6 million metric tons of methane from mines by 2015. Methane emissions instead rose by about 1.1 million metric tons per year between 2010 and 2015.
A pilot program introducing safer mining practices reduced airborne lead levels by 95% and respirable silica dust by 80%, saving hundreds of children from lead poisoning. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of low-cost dust control measures in reducing hazardous exposures in artisanal small-scale mining communities.
A study found that mountaintop removal mining disproportionately alters the habitat of timber rattlesnakes, a docile reptile species. The mining operations destroy ridgelines and habitats, cutting into biodiversity.
Researchers tested flashing light deterrents to protect llama and alpaca herds from pumas and found them effective but not against Andean foxes. Surface coal mining was also shown to alter or eliminate rattlesnake habitats, while small ponds acted as carbon sinks with higher rates of organic carbon burial than many other terrestrial ha...
Scientists recommend measures to prevent environmental damage from seabed mining, including improved monitoring and protection of Marine Protected Areas. They suggest moving towards a circular economy that reduces demand for virgin minerals.
A new gold recycling method has been developed using pyridinethiols and hydrogen peroxide, allowing for efficient extraction of gold from electronic waste. The process produces a stable cationic gold-containing product in organic solution, with nearly quantitative dissolution of gold after 20 minutes.
A recent study by Clark University researchers reveals that tropical forests are under threat from massive infrastructure projects and resource extraction. The study highlights the urgent need for policy-making that protects forests and communities from corruption and human rights abuses.
A new study by KU Leuven reveals the hidden costs of cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including high levels of cobalt in children's urine and increased DNA damage. The research highlights the need for sustainable cobalt mining practices to mitigate environmental and health impacts.
A new web-based mapping tool shows the land laid bare by mountaintop coal mining in central Appalachia each year, going back more than three decades. The tool estimates that between 1985 and 2015, an average of 21,000 acres was converted to bare earth and rubble annually.
A team of biologists has discovered a new species of venomous snake, the Weipa bandy-bandy, in Australia. The snake's habitat is being threatened by bauxite mining, which may put it at risk of extinction.
A new study analyzing MSHA data found that mines that comply with health regulations experience a substantially lower number of lung diseases over time. The majority of cases originated in the Appalachian region, where coal mines were 16-17.8 times more likely to report a lung disease diagnosis.
The fifth Act 54 five-year report assesses the impact of long-wall, room-and-pillar, and retreat mining methods on surface structures and water resources. The study provides vital information for environmental remediation and restoration efforts in Pennsylvania.
A new study found that coal mining significantly reduces aquatic species abundance and richness in US streams. Despite regulations, mining continues to harm biodiversity, with some watersheds facing irreversible declines.
Researchers at Stockholm University have discovered a moss that can rapidly remove arsenic from contaminated water, making it safe for human consumption. The aquatic moss Warnstofia fluitans can absorb up to 80% of arsenic in just one hour.
Researchers developed a gravity separation process to cleanly lift organic resins from inorganic fibreglass, making it possible to recycle non-metal parts of cellphones. The process has the potential to create raw materials for construction and insulation.
A new study reveals that the majority of mining-related injuries and illnesses in Illinois go unreported to the federal agency responsible for tracking these events. Researchers found that only 34% of cases were captured by the Part 50 program, highlighting the need for improved reporting rates.
A Duke University-led study has found dangerous levels of mercury and methylmercury near artisanal gold mines in Senegal, contaminating soils, sediments, and rivers. Mercury poisoning can cause various health impacts, including tremors, muscle weakness, and birth defects.
A new study warns of long-lasting consequences from seabed mining, which could destroy deep-sea ecosystems and affect marine life globally. The research highlights the need for precautions and alternative approaches to mitigate potential harm.
The United Nations report emphasizes the need for mining companies to prioritize safety over economic considerations in managing mine waste. The report's recommendations include improving tailings dam government regulation and exploring alternative solutions to building massive dams that can cause devastating environmental damage.
A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.
A new study by University of Wyoming researchers finds that mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia degrades water quality and causes dramatic increases in salinity, leading to more perennial streamflows. The study's findings have significant implications for the region's ecosystem and future environmental changes.
Researchers found that up to 89% of uranium in Wyoming's roll front deposits is non-crystalline and bound to organic matter, contradicting conventional wisdom. This biogenic uranium has implications for environmental remediation and mining practices.
A study suggests that exposure to trace metals from potatoes grown in soil irrigated with waters from the Potosi mining region in Bolivia may pose a potential health risk. The study found high hazard quotients for arsenic and cadmium, indicating a significant risk of non-cancer health illnesses, particularly among children.
An international team has demonstrated that mineral resources are sufficient to meet growing demand, contradicting claims of exhaustion. The report highlights the need for responsible mining practices and continued research to minimize environmental impact.
Researchers use seismic data acquisition and multi-attribute processing to locate hazardous underground voids left behind by coal mining in Wyoming. The integrated techniques help identify size, orientation, and shape of mining voids, ensuring rapid remediation efforts.
Researchers identify 208 minerals formed due to human activities, bolstering the argument for a new geological time interval. The vast majority of these minerals originated through mining and human industry since the mid-1700s, underscoring the immense impact of human activities on Earth's mineral diversity.
Researchers are discovering new, eco-friendly catalysts in unexpected places, such as earthworm powder and plants that absorb high levels of metals from soil and water. This shift could reduce traditional animal and plant sources, decrease mining waste, and create more sustainable production methods for medicines, fuels, and electronics.
Robert W. Nairn, OU professor and pioneer in wetland technologies, receives the prestigious William T. Plass Award for his work in rehabilitating contaminated water at the Tar Creek Superfund site.
Researchers at UBC's Okanagan campus have identified three types of sulphur oxidizing bacteria and two types of iron-oxidizing microbes that contribute to acid-rock drainage. The study aims to develop a new method of managing mining waste by returning it to its natural state without ponds or caps.
New UQ research enables ultra-precise measurements of movement and gravity, benefiting industries like mining and environmental hydrology. The technique improves sensitivity of measurement devices and tracks water movement, glaciers and polar ice caps.
Researchers at Duke University found that 40 years of mountaintop coal mining has made parts of Central Appalachia 40% flatter than before excavation. The study suggests that this change could lead to increased water quality issues due to the creation of valley fills and changes in water movement.
A Dartmouth-led study using a 600-year-old ice core shows that global mercury pollution increased dramatically during the 20th century, but declined faster than previously thought after emissions started to decrease in the late 1970s. The study suggests present-day efforts to cut mercury emissions will reduce pollution more quickly tha...
New research reveals that mining pollution has led to a significant reduction in the genetic diversity of brown trout populations in southwest England. The study found that these fish have adapted to live in water with high levels of metal contaminants, but this adaptation comes at the cost of reduced genetic variation.
The new system dynamic model supports investment decision-making and optimizes production guidance in mining investments. The model has already sparked interest among international mining companies.
Texas-based Shackleton Energy Company plans to mine lunar water ice and convert it into rocket propellant, with Moon Express also interested in using the resource as fuel. Meanwhile, China is making headway in mining rare-earth elements on the Moon, sparking interest in establishing a human settlement.
Researchers have found hazardous levels of mercury hundreds of miles downstream from Peruvian gold mines, contaminating local soil, sediment, and water resources. The study highlights the widespread impact of artisanal small-scale gold mining on human health and the environment.
Researchers have found that green walls are suitable for absorbing environmental noise and acting as acoustic insulation, improving life quality and reducing pollution. The study also shows that green walls can be effective in high and low frequencies, making them a potential solution for acoustic insulation.
Scientists have installed a degasing pipe in the Guadiana pit lake to remove extremely high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide. The system uses buoyancy to drive the flow and release gas to the atmosphere, reducing the risk of human exposure to deadly CO2 levels.