Grimag

  • Flow
  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Stress
  • Arousal
  • Psychology
  • Videos
  • Pros and Cons
Home 5 Pros and Cons of Strip Mining

5 Pros and Cons of Strip Mining

Materials such as coal and tar sand are located relatively near the surface of the earth. The method to recover such materials is called strip mining, a form of surface mining where surface vegetation, soil and rocks are removed in strips and often times together with controlled explosions in order to make the removal process more efficient.

The process of strip mining is a controversial one because it is believed to be an efficient process but it also raises concerns about the destruction of the natural ecosystem.

List of Pros of Strip Mining

1. It is much more efficient compared to underground mining techniques.
Supporters of strip mining are lauding the efficiency of the process compared to the more traditional underground mining. For them, the cost and safety for this kind of method is so much better than the traditional one. Here’s a for instance: the recovery rate of materials using this method is around 80 to 90% compared to the 50% of tunnel mining.

With strip mining, tunnels no longer need to be dug and supported. The lifting of minerals is not done on long routes just to get to the surface either. That said, retrieval and transport are more convenient using surface mining techniques.

2. It costs lower.
Lower processing costs often mean production costs will not be that high either As a result, the final cost of the material won’t be that much as well.

3. It is safer.
Underground mining poses several threats to workers because tunnels can collapse or they can breathe toxic air. Companies that engage in strip mining are required to reclaim the land they used by filling the areas they removed and covering them with topsoil and replanted vegetation.

List of Cons of Strip Mining

1. It has a negative impact on the environment.
The effect of strip mining on the environment has always been raised by those who are against the process. For them, the method not only introduces pollutants to the environment, it also destroys the natural ecosystem. Yes, companies are required by law to reclaim the land they strip mined but it takes years to get the land back to what it once was.

Also, fragile ecosystems may take years to recover (or regain equilibrium) once they have been disturbed. This leads to the loss of plant and animal life. Plus, there’s a risk of reclamation jobs not being done properly resulting in the land becoming prone to erosion and flooding which just spells more destruction.

2. It can lead to water sources being contaminated.
Extraction solvents are used in strip mining and this can lead to water sources being contaminated. Not only that, excavated material are also dumped which can also affect water supply. Toxins and dust are also released into the air when strip mining is performed which results in poorly controlled contamination. Although efforts are being done to prevent this from happening, it’s not always a guarantee. For example, sealed tailing ponds are meant to hold liquid contaminants until they are solid and can safely be removed. However, it has been shown that leaks do occur and can contaminate areas located nearby.

Apr 5, 2015-Flow Psychology Editor
How To Get Over A Breakup FastHow To Be Super Confident
You Might Also Like
 
6 Pros and Cons of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
5 Pros and Cons of Parliamentary Democracy
3 years ago Pros and ConsDangers vs. Benefits, List of Negative Effects
0
GooglePlus
0
Facebook
0
Twitter
0
Stumbleupon
0
Linkedin
0
Pinterest
Reverse Psychology Examples
Reverse Psychology Examples
Procrastination Facts
Procrastination Facts
Living With Fear
Living With Fear
Persuade Someone
Persuade Someone
How To Make My Husband Love Me More
How To Make My Husband Love Me More
Psychological-Facts-About-Crushes
Psychological Facts About Crushes
Signs-of-Jealousy
Signs of Jealousy
How To Gain Self Respect
How To Gain Self Respect
Forgetting Someone
Forgetting Someone
Playing the Victim
Playing the Victim
Recent Posts
  • Reverse Psychology Examples
  • Procrastination Facts
  • Living With Fear
  • Persuade Someone
  • How To Make My Husband Love Me More
  • Psychological Facts About Crushes
  • Signs of Jealousy
  • How To Gain Self Respect
  • Forgetting Someone
  • Playing the Victim
  • How to Mind Control People
  • Emotionally Weak
  • How To Attract Positive Energy
  • How Does Peer Pressure Affect Teenagers
  • Psychology of Insecurity
Archives
Categories
  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Apathy & Boredom
  • Arousal
  • Flow
  • Pros and Cons
  • Psychology
  • Stress
  • Videos
Archives
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
Recent Posts
  • Reverse Psychology Examples
  • Procrastination Facts
  • Living With Fear
  • Persuade Someone
  • How To Make My Husband Love Me More
Categories
  • Anxiety & Worry
  • Apathy & Boredom
  • Arousal
  • Flow
  • Pros and Cons
  • Psychology
  • Stress
  • Videos
2014 © Flow Psychology Blog