Contextualization

Mining is a critical part of our economy and modern life. We rely on mined materials for everything from our cell phones and cars to our buildings and roads. However, the process of mining and the extraction of these materials can have significant environmental impacts.

There are several types of mining, each with its own set of unique environmental challenges. Surface mining, for example, involves the removal of the soil and rock that covers the resource being mined, which can lead to erosion and the loss of habitats. Underground mining, on the other hand, can result in the collapse of the ground above the mine and the contamination of groundwater.

The impacts of mining don't stop at the site of the mine. The transportation and processing of mined materials can also have significant environmental effects. For example, the burning of coal, a common mined material, releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Mining also has social and economic impacts. Mining operations can disrupt local communities and traditional ways of life. They can also create jobs and contribute to the local economy. Balancing these impacts is a complex task, and one that requires careful planning and management.

Resources

To help you understand these concepts and prepare for your project, here are some resources that you may find helpful:

1. Environmental Impact of Mining - National Geographic
2. Environmental Impacts of Mining: A Study of Mining Communities in Ghana - ResearchGate
3. The Social Implications of Mining in Australia - Australian Parliamentary Library
4. What is Mining? - Live Science
5. Economic Impacts of Mining: Overview - World Bank

These resources provide a broad overview of the topic and should help you get started. As you dive deeper into your research, you may find other sources that are relevant to your specific topic of interest.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Understanding the Impacts of Mining in Our Community

Objective of the Project

The main objective of this project is to understand the impacts of mining on the environment, economy, and community.

Project Description

In this project, each group of 3 to 5 students will choose a specific type of mining (surface, underground, or open-pit) and research its environmental, social, and economic impacts. Students will also investigate how these impacts are managed and mitigated, and they will assess the effectiveness of these strategies.

Necessary Materials

• Access to the internet for research
• Books or other resources on mining and its impacts (optional)
• Art supplies for creating visual aids (optional)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity

1. Group Formation and Research: Form groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group will choose a specific type of mining to research. Use the provided resources as a starting point, but also encourage students to find other sources of information.

2. Identify Impacts: Each group should identify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of their chosen type of mining. They should also consider how these impacts are managed and mitigated.

3. Create Visual Aids: Create a visual aid (such as a poster or PowerPoint presentation) that summarizes the key points of their research.

4. Prepare a Report: Each group will prepare a written report following the structure: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography. The Introduction should provide background information on the type of mining chosen and its importance. The Development section should detail the research process, the findings, and the methods used to create the visual aid. The Conclusion should summarize the group's findings and reflect on what they learned from the project. The bibliography should list all the sources the group used for their research.

Project Deliveries

After the completion of the practical part of the project, each group will deliver a written report and a visual aid summarizing their findings.

The report should:

• Clearly articulate the objectives of the project.
• Detail the process the group followed to research and understand the impacts of their chosen type of mining.
• Present the findings of the group's research, including a discussion of the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the chosen type of mining.
• Reflect on the group's experience working on the project and what they learned from it.

The visual aid should:

• Clearly present the key points of the group's research.
• Be visually appealing and easy to understand.

The report and the visual aid should complement each other, with the report providing a detailed explanation of the work done and the visual aid providing a concise and visual summary of the findings.

The total duration of the project is estimated to be around 3 to 5 hours per student over a period of one week.