Mining Impacts to the Environment 

Dr. Emelina G. RegisAugust 5 2011August 5, 2011

Puerto Pinsesa, Palawan

Institute for Environmental  Conservation and Research (INECAR)Ateneo de Naga University

Naga CityNaga City

The Island Ecosystem

A. Mangrove D. Cropland G. Seagrass bedsA. MangroveB. ForestC. Coral

D.  CroplandE. Human SettlementF. River/Creek

G. Seagrass beds

The mining area with open pit is letter H.  B2 represents denuded forest.  The darker tint of the coral reef at the left side represents dead corals.

raindrops

force of falling raindrops reduced by leaves of trees

water droplets gently fall on dried leaves

Water table

groundwater

Water table

Watershed Effect

MiningMining is the physical removal of soil and rocksMining is the physical removal of soil and rocks from the earth’s crust for various purposes. 

To facilitate processing, these rocks are crushed into smaller fragments

Metals are released through heap leaching process using acid and/or cyanide

The acid and/or cyanide are released into a treatment plant and/or the disposal sitestreatment plant and/or the disposal sites

Stages of mining1. Exploration – clearing of vegetation and construction

of roads causing disturbance to wildlifeg

2. Site development- road building continue, infrastructures (offices, processing plants) are builtinfrastructures (offices, processing plants) are built

3. Extraction (processing)- addition of chemicals such as mercury and cyanide to extract the target metals (gold, silver, copper, zinc) or sulfuric acid in nickel mining in laterite soil

4. Mine Closure – when ores are exhausted and social

mining in laterite soil

problems arise creating financial liability to the company

Ores in the ecosystem

1

2

Effect of mining, topsoil is removed

Quezon, Palawan

Operation of BNC over Natural Forest

Brgy. Berong, Quezon

Quezon Palawan

Discoloration of Iba’t Ong River due to operation of Berong Nickel Corp. (BNC) Exploration Photo by ELAC

Quezon, Palawan

CITINICKEL, NARRA

Laterite‐affected ricefield

Metals in Laterite soil and impactsMetals in Laterite soil and impacts

Laterite is a residual ore deposit resultingLaterite is a residual ore deposit resulting from the weathering of rocks and soil.

Metals found with nickel (Ni) are Cobalt (Co), ( ) ( ),Aluminum (Al), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), and ZincCadmium (Cd), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc 

(Zn)

Metals Toxic Effects on plants at elevated levels or if values exceeded standards

Ni k l R d d t & h t biNickel Reduced roots & shoots biomass; Blocks cell division inhibiting root branching;branching;

Chromium III & chromium VI

Alteration of the germination process, root, stem & leaf growth; destroys

(Hexavalent) photosynthetic ability to produce food; Manganese Chlorosis; stunting of growth; reduced

i i ld d d t l tigrain yield; reduced root elongation, eventual death; decreased in size and opening of stomata resulting in reducedopening of stomata resulting in reduced entry of carbon dioxide, thus affecting photosynthesis

Sources:  Shanker et al. 2005;Ahmad et al. 2010; Seregin and Kozhevnikova 2005; Dobermann and Fairhurst 2000; Lidon 2000; Ward et al. 2008 

Metals Toxic Effects on plants at elevated levels or if values exceeded standards

Ni k l R d d t & h t biNickel Reduced roots & shoots biomass; Blocks cell division inhibiting root branching;branching;

Chromium III & chromium VI

Alteration of the germination process, root, stem & leaf growth; destroys

(Hexavalent) photosynthetic ability to produce food; Manganese Chlorosis; stunting of growth; reduced

i i ld d d t l tigrain yield; reduced root elongation, eventual death; decreased in size and opening of stomata resulting in reducedopening of stomata resulting in reduced entry of carbon dioxide, thus affecting photosynthesis

Sources:  Shanker et al. 2005;Ahmad et al. 2010; Seregin and Kozhevnikova 2005; Dobermann and Fairhurst 2000; Lidon 2000; Ward et al. 2008 

Whitish blades of riceWhitish blades of rice plant from San Isidro ricefield :San Isidro ricefield : example of posssibly affected by heavyaffected by heavy metals 

Metal Other Toxic Effects

Iron Inhibition of primary root growth; death. Toxic to fishes

Chromium Damage gills of fishes causing death

Nickel Human carcinogen especially of the lungs

As, Cr, Mn, Ni Reduced plant growth and inability to produce food by 46%

Ni, Co, Mn Reduced harvest on beans by 23%

Cd, Cu, Zn, M C Ni

Decreased in plant growth by 85%Mn, Co, Ni

Sources: US EPA, 2001; Munthas et al. 2010; William and Wilkins 1985; Shanker et al. 2005; Ahmad et al. 2010; Lidon 2000; Ward et al. 2008; 

Effects on plants

Normal pollen grains

aborted

Stachytarphetajamaicensis

Mature coconut trees in Sitio Sta. Barbara b i f it ( d )bearing fruits (see red arrows)

Mature coconuts that do not bear fruits in the mining area of Sitio Ultra Barangay Luklukan Surarea of Sitio Ultra, Barangay Luklukan Sur

Effects on plants (Cyperus kyllingia)(Cyperus kyllingia)

Loss of starch in leaves of grass plantsgrass plants

ControlControl

C i dContaminated

Impacts on the seagrass Halodule pinifoliap f

Right: Normal cellsRight: Normal cells

Left : structural destruction of cells.

A simplified food chain

Impacts of heavy metals on human health

Respiratory problems; cadmium pneumonitisCancer (all kinds)Brain dysfunction; mental retardation; permanent brain damageMalfunctions of organ systems: nervous kidneyMalfunctions of organ systems: nervous, kidneyLoss of vision; deafness; Loss of muscle coordinationBone abnormalitiesLiver poisoning; blood poisoningProblems on reproduction development and birth Problems on reproduction, development and birth defectsStomach irritation; vomiting; diarrheaComa and death

Left: Pagcolbon River, Rapu-Rapu within the p pmining site at higher elevation (Dec 11, 2005) pH is 2 8 The 2005) pH is 2.8. The weather was humid

The Coral Reef at th E t t the Eastern coast

of Rapu-Rapu where Pagcolbon

i dRiver and Ungay Creek empty their

contaminated acidic water and waste cyanide

Effects of mining on aquatic animalsg q

Cyanide residues in tailings pond – cause death to fishes, wildlife and domestic animals

Elevated levels of cyanide that reaches theElevated levels of cyanide that reaches the sea causes fishkills

Tailings choke, smothers and kill animals in the coral reefcoral reef

Fish Killing in Rapu‐Rapu (2005, 2007)

Live Corals of Rapu‐Rapu

Dead corals near mining site of Rapu‐RapuPictures taken March 2009

Dead corals near mining site of Rapu‐RapuPictures taken March 2009

The Coral Triangle

Center of fish diversity

Save God’s wonderful creation!

Tao, Tulungan mo kami!