Mains Focus – 15th OCT 2025

Question

Mineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.  [UPSC 2025, GS -3 15 marks]

Answer

Mineral resources are the backbone of industrial growth, energy security, and infrastructure development. However, mining, though economically vital, is widely regarded as an environmental hazard due to its severe and often irreversible ecological impacts.

Why Mining is an Environmental Hazard:

• Land Degradation: Open-cast mining strips vegetation and topsoil, leading to loss of fertile land and biodiversity. For example, coal mining in Jharkhand and Odisha has caused extensive deforestation.

• Water Pollution: Discharge of mine tailings and acid mine drainage contaminates surface and groundwater. The Goa iron ore mining ban (2012) highlighted heavy metal pollution in rivers.

• Air Pollution: Drilling and blasting release particulate matter and toxic gases, impacting local communities’ health.

• Deforestation and Habitat Loss: Mining in forest-rich areas like Chhattisgarh and Meghalaya threatens endangered species and tribal livelihoods.

• Soil and Noise Pollution: Heavy machinery and explosives degrade soil and disturb local ecology.

• Socio-environmental Impact: Displacement of local communities and unsustainable resource extraction widen social inequalities.
  

Remedial Measures:

• Strict Environmental Regulation: Enforce the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and ensure compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) norms.

• Rehabilitation & Reclamation: Mandatory mine closure plans with afforestation and soil restoration (as per National Mineral Policy, 2019).

• Sustainable Mining Practices: Use of eco-friendly technologies, controlled blasting, and waste recycling.

• Community Participation: Implementation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for local development.

• Monitoring & Transparency: Adoption of the Star Rating System for Mines and satellite-based monitoring by IBM and MoEFCC.
  

Conclusion:

Balancing economic gains with ecological sustainability is essential. Mining must evolve towards a “green mining” paradigm, ensuring inter-generational equity and environmental justice.

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