O WELL..WE NEED IT!!!

However even though coal mining is a major necessity for South Africa and many parts of the world it does have a detrimental impact on the environment. Mining has a number of negative side effects, which in terms of the new ‘green’ trend have been highlighted and taken to the next extreme. Coal mining disturbs the geological formation of natural ecosystems and their processes. The establishment of mines in many places has also contributed to the relocation of whole town. This can be seen in Mozambique near Tete province. As well as this there is the on going battle of the Cradle of Man Kind in South Africa against mining companies. A group of mining companies intend to claim Magaliesburg and the heritage site.

The external pollution causes changes in aquatic life, the air quality in the surrounding area, erosion, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions therefore a contributor to ‘climate change’ and Acid Mine Drainage.

The current increasing environmental effect of coal mining is that of acid mine drainage. This topic has become a ‘hot’ discussion as more environmentalists are lobbing for mining companies to have and implement high safety regulations in regards to their labor and their impact on the environment. This essentially entails protecting the conditions in which a person, animal or plant lives and operates according to the discourses created.