Waste Management Outlook for Mountain Regions

Moving mountains to build a mine: Waste generated from clearing the site and infrastructure development Before the mine operation starts the site needs to be prepared and an access road constructed. This often involves significant land clearing and in mountain regions the waste rock and soil is often just bulldozed downslope, where it can block natural watercourses.The large areas of disturbed land andearth exposed can also lead to substantial erosion and increased sediment loading to waterbodies, especially during periods of high rainfall and snow melt. The building of roads and development of the mine brings heavy, generally diesel-fueled machinery, which can also cause local air pollution from diesel particulates and dust generated during operation. Apart from the obvious destruction of habitat, land clearing and road building has been found to open up previously inaccessible regions to hunters, increase road kill numbers, especially of slow moving ground dwelling species and increase species invasion (Laurance et al 2009). Upslope activities can increase runoff that flows to and

degrades soil on downslope areas which may include agricultural land. The development of the Hidden Valley gold and silver mine in Papua New Guinea impacted downstream communities during the construction phase (2006 to 2009). People living below themine complained of increased sedimentation, poor water quality and health issues related to erosion of waste rock disposed of on steep slopes (Mudd and Roche 2014). Disputes over compensation for the damage took several years to resolve (UNDP 2014). Mining attracts people: Waste generated by the mine workers and associated community Mining operations require a work force and depending on the size of the mine, a considerable community can spring up in previously sparsely inhabited areas. For example, the Ok tedi mining township of Tabubil, in the Star Mountains of Papua New Guinea currently supports more than 30,000 inhabitants in what was once the tribal homelands of about 700 local indigenous people (Townsend and Townsend 2004). The rapid growth of mining camps and towns can bring problems with sewage and waste disposal. A recent study by researchers from Columbia

Mining trucks. Photo © iStock/erlucho

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