Signal Over 45,000 sites disturbed by mining

Summary

The report explains that novel entities cause harm across their life cycle, from resource extraction and manufacturing through use to disposal. Some of the resulting impacts on ecosystems amount to extreme disruption. More than 45,000 sites worldwide have been disturbed by mining, and thousands more by oil and gas extraction and by waste dumping and burning. In mining and oil extraction, the damage comes from bringing toxic substances to the surface, using hazardous chemicals and materials, and physically tearing up the land. As a result, the surrounding air, soil and water become contaminated and nearby ecosystems are harmed. The report points out that such land becomes unfit for farming and for human settlement.