Mining activities: health impacts

Abstract

Mining is an important economic activity with potential to contribute to the development of economies. At the same time, environmental and health impacts of mining on surrounding communities are of major concern. Potential human health risks occur at most stages of the mining life cycle, from exploration to mine closure, and may result from both surface and subsurface mines. Mining activities include the use of toxic chemicals and waste disposals with health impacts on miners and local populations and also with adverse environmental impacts on the surrounding environment. Human health impacts result from long term and systematic exposure, ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact with toxic heavy metals, acidic drainage and toxic chemicals. Inhalations of dust and air particulate matters are among the significant pathways of carcinogenic pollutants into the human body. Health impacts can also result from soil and water pollution due to the mine contaminants migration by erosion and weathering and chemical dispersion such as acid drainages from mine wastes and tailings. By applying appropriate practices, health effects due to mining activities can by mitigated or avoided. Legislation requires that mine administrators manage health and safety properly to provide safe places to work and live.