A MOUNTAIN, MINED AND DAMNED

In one mining community, a female high school student wrote in her essay writing contest “What would Life be without Mining”? This is what she wrote published on a local weekly newspaper.  

“Life without mining is unimaginable. No fun, no excitement, no shopping for the ladies and no sports cars for the gentlemen. Worse, no computers, no internet and that would mean no Facebook. Life simply would be in capital letters BORING!   

Indeed, mining makes the world go round. From the mineral exploits taken from it come the malls, the high speed cars, and the jewelries. In short, there is technology. But it is not merely mining, It is responsible mining.”

She further wrote she was born and raised in a mining camp and has seen the benefits of mining like living comfortably on free cottages or bunkhouses. They have free education and scholarship programs. It opened doors for a lot of opportunities like jobs and secured good future to the people.  She further states that responsible mining is one of the pillars that support humanity. It is one of God’s blessings to the people.  She also compared her life in the mines with the life of other children outside the mining area. While other children ran along rocky roads, they effortlessly glide to asphalted and cemented roads. While other children walk many miles to school, they get on free bus rides.

Of course, the young student will have to go by the trials and reality in life as she grows older.

On the other side of that mountain village, is a young farmer’s son living a countryside lifestyle. His family lived beside a stream with a forested mountain and a little farm with domesticated animals. During his childhood days, he said that he enjoyed swimming in the cool clear stream while watching the fish whirling along the clear stream. He enjoyed watching the birds singing and flying on trees near their house. On the farm, dragonflies and sparrow birds hover over the cows and rice fields and on summer nights fireflies turn the trees like Christmas lights.  

 He was awed with the nature’s many blessings. He enjoyed the abundance of fresh foods coming from their organic farm and the forest. He enjoyed eating the fresh fruits and vegetables, fibers, fish and had the advantage of breathing fresh air.

But a time came when a mine project proposed by government officials in the name of development be opened in this mountainside. The officials say this mining prospect will bring development.  

There was development and of course revenues but most say it went to the transnational companies and the unscrupulous businessmen including corrupt officials. Taxes did not go to the host community but to the Central Government and to the corrupt agencies.  Greed and money were the priorities over that of the environment and the community sacrificed a lot.

After 10 years of mining, these were the results observed by the people in that host community and the young man who have now graduated in college. 

The environmental effects caused by the mining were so enormous. It destroyed the natural landscape of the area. It exposed the hillsides to erosions, sinkholes were formed and the biodiversity was lost. The surface and ground water and soil were contaminated due to the chemicals coming from the mining process.  The mining company was required to install tailings dams to prevent waste being washed into the rivers but the tailings dam overflow, and even breach, during periods of heavy rain or typhoon.

The ecosystems and habitats in the streams were poisoned and many croplands were destroyed. After the mining company exploited the area, it just abandoned the mining claims. The company and the government had no terms to rehabilitate the area or just restore it into a habitable place.    

The environment was left to regenerate by its own. It is the community itself and some concerned individuals initiated some environmental programs in this area. After some time, part of the mined areas and streams became vibrant again. It is observed that man made destruction or disasters could be restored. In some countries, previous mining sites were renewed by their government into a vegetation and wildlife habitat area and could even be used for farming or ranching.

To ensure that a mining site be restored for future use, a government should require that mining companies should post a bond to be held in escrow until productivity of the reclaimed land has been convincingly demonstrated, although if cleanup procedures are more expensive than the size of the bond, the bond may simply be abandoned.   

Humanity still needs more of these natural resources for daily use like cell phones, computers, autos, machines, jewelries and electricity. However, to conserve and sustain our natural

resources, a good mining practice or indigenous practice that will not harm the environment

should be followed. There is no reason for a blanket ban on mining. However, the environmental

impact of each proposed mine should be analyzed before permission to proceed is granted.

Mining operators must be aware of the potential impacts of their operations and ensure

minimum risk to the environment.          

Mine tailing dam