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Articles on Mining

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Artisanal small-scale gold mining polluted this stream and deforested sections of the Madre de Dios area of Peru. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Gold rush, mercury legacy: Small-scale mining for gold has produced long-lasting toxic pollution, from 1860s California to modern Peru

Small-scale gold mining operations in developing countries are major sources of toxic mercury pollution, using techniques that haven’t changed much since the California Gold Rush 150 years ago.
A sand mine in Nepal. Growing urbanization and its need for concrete is fuelling a global sand crisis. (Michael Hoffmann)

Roving bandits and looted coastlines: How the global appetite for sand is fuelling a crisis

As sand markets boom, entrepreneurs, organized crime and others are cashing in — leaving widespread environmental damage in their wake.
Mining is one of the industries that’s helped by mathematical modelling: models can predict ceiling collapses and keep miners safe. Sunshine Seeds/Shutterstock/For editorial use only

Mathematical modelling: a language that explains the real world

Mathematical modelling is capable of saving lives, assisting in policy and decision-making, and optimising economic growth.
The January 2019 collapse of a dam in Brumadinho, Brazil, sent mining tailings and mud over the landscape for miles, destroying this bridge and killing 300 people. Andre Penner/AP

Mine waste dams threaten the environment, even when they don’t fail

Dams built to hold enormous quantities of toxic mining waste have a long history of spills. Decisions in the Pacific Northwest threaten three free-flowing rivers there.
Eabametoong First Nation (Fort Hope), seen here in 2012, is one of the communities located near the proposed Ring of Fire development. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Ottawa steps into ‘Ring of Fire’ debate with Doug Ford

Ontario’s approach to assessing the environmental impacts of mining in the Ring of Fire region couldn’t address concerns about the cumulative consequences of development.

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