Mining

A toxic tailings dam at the Chinese-owned Sino Metals copper mine in northern Zambia collapsed in February, releasing at least 50,000 tonnes of acidic waste—possibly far more—into waterways feeding the Kafue River. The spill contaminated drinking water, killed fish, and damaged farmland across the Copperbelt, leaving families without food and exposing them to heavy metals linked to long-term health risks. Farmers report failed crops, illness, and inadequate remediation. China disputes the scale of the disaster, saying acidity levels have stabilised, while Zambia insists it is not soft-pedalling despite owing China about $5bn. A $80bn lawsuit filed by 176 farmers is now seen as a major test of whether African states can hold Chinese companies accountable. Compensation so far has been uneven, and cleanup efforts are slow. With US interest in Zambia rising, analysts say the geopolitical balance may give Zambia more leverage, but unresolved pollution threatens communities for years.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/22920153

archived (Wayback Machine)

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/27733622

More than 100,000 people marched through Cuenca, a city in southern Ecuador, on Sept. 16, demanding that federal authorities revoke an environmental license for a gold mining project that may impact an important freshwater source.

The Loma Larga mining project, run by Canadian mining company Dundee Precious Metals, borders the 3,200-hectare (7,900-acre) Quimsacocha National Recreation Area, located within the UNESCO Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve. Quimsacocha is a central source of clean freshwater in the Andean páramo tundra located approximately 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) southeast of Cuenca.

archived (Wayback Machine)

As consumers have grown less worried about whether their diamonds are mined or made, many have turned to cost-friendly lab grown diamonds. And that’s having a big impact on the diamond mining industry — including for Canada.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/14652759

I don't like this article but it's an interesting read and I get into details of picking it a part a bit in the comments of the original post. I also share my comment here.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21281149

There’s a lot changing in the construction industry, and a lot of growth in the need for materials like sand and gravel. But I don’t think it’s fair to say the world is running out of those materials. We’re just more aware of all the costs involved in procuring them, and hopefully taking more account for how they affect our future and the environment.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/5856215

Good article that shows how mine dumps can be reclaimed to support human use (drive in) and how re-mining of wastes can be feasible in some cases

More info

http://phys.org/news/2018-08-salt-alps-ancient-austrian-bronze.amp