Environmental impact weighs heavy on opencast mining operations

Opencast mining has become increasingly unpopular with non-governmental organisations and government authorities owing to its high environmental footprint, but the method is still the most economical option for mining houses, says minerals industry consultant Venmyn director Neil McKenna.


“Compared with underground mining, the single biggest challenge faced by opencast mining is its environmental impact as a result of the large mining footprint associated with bulk commodity mining.”


For instance, the South Cotabato province of the Philippines banned opencast mining in 2010. The ban is hindering the progress of diversified miner Xstrata’s $5.9-billion Tampakan mine. The project is considered to be the biggest undeveloped copper/gold prospect in South-East Asia, with an estimated yearly average production of 375 000 t of copper and 360 000 oz of gold over an initial 17-year mine life. Read more here...