Date | Dec 22, 2016:

A region-specific multi-disciplinary approach involving in-depth studies in geology, hydrology, soil chemistry and toxicology, in rare earth elements mining, is required to understand issues related to contamination

Rare earth elements (REE) and minerals are vital to some of the world’s fastest growing industries such as catalysts, magnets, ceramics, glass, metallurgy and electronics. Apart from India, the other countries that have considerable REE deposits are China, the US, Russia, Brazil, Australia and Malaysia. Research studies have shown that mining and processing of these rare earth minerals are being done at a considerable cost to the environment. Many deposits are associated with high concentrations of radioactive elements, such as uranium and thorium, which require separate treatment and disposal procedures which, if not adhered to, can lead to irreversible damage to the environment, besides posing significant health hazards.

The physical process of removing the ores from the ground is disruptive to the environment and to the immediate biodiversity of the region. Most rare earth elements are mined through open pit mining, which involves opening the surface of the earth using heavy equipment and machinery. Creating this disruption on the surface of the earth disrupts thriving ecosystems. Furthermore, these mines are the point source of release of major contaminants in the form of radio-nuclides, dust and metal. Each of these contaminants escapes the mines in different ways and has different detrimental effects on the environment.

The mining process strives to extract pure and usable natural elements that can be utilised in whatever way necessary. But the ores that are extracted from the earth do not come out pure, therefore necessitating a protracted refining procedure. This is sometimes more harmful to the ecology than the extraction itself. Refining introduces a serious set of environmental concerns, mostly revolving around the release of metal by-products into the environment that prove devastating to organisms.The by-products of mining rare earth elements is usually categorised into tailings and waste rock stockpiles. The tailings are of particular concern as they are full of small, fine particles that can be absorbed into the water and the land surrounding a particular mine.

Water resources in the immediate vicinity of the mine suffer the maximum adverse impact not only due to the tailings or waste rock stockpiles, but also because of sedimentation, acid drainage, and metals deposition. Once the water bodies are contaminated, it’s difficult to restore them to their original pristine quality. The Chavara-Neendakara coastline of Kollam in Kerala, known for the occurrence of heavy mineral rich placer deposits, is an apt example. Mining has been going on since 1922, and has left an indelible impact on the region in the form of environmental damage and health issues for the residents. The impact of mining has not only destroyed vegetation in the area but also contaminated drinking water from the wells.

Though the Kollam mines produce resources of high value and importance, the local authorities and the Government have consistently turned a blind eye to the potential threats posed by the mining activity to the environment.

The introduction of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment producing plant in 1984, has made the industry strategically significant, but the mining activities along with the processing of heavy minerals and the production of the TiO2 pigment have resulted in the release of a number of contaminants into the environment. These contaminants, combined with the accidental leakage of raw material for TiO2 from Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), has led to the environmental degradation of the surrounding areas.

The mining for REE is not only leaving in its wake huge amounts of land and water pollution but also resulting in frequent gas leaks that have led to a high incidence of cancer in the residents — besides other debilitating diseases such as bronchitis, asthma and skin ailments. Given these facts, the Government cannot afford to ignore the plight of the people or the impact on the environment, no matter how lucrative and compelling the prospects are for REE mining.

In order to bring about a change at the ground level and extend immediate relief to the people and environment not only in Kollam but also to scores of other locations in India, the Government must establish region-specific regulations, in addition to general rules that currently govern mining activities.

A region-specific multi-disciplinary approach involving in-depth studies in geology, hydrology, soil chemistry and toxicology, is required to understand issues related to contamination. Additionally, health risk assessments due to the contaminated soil and water from various exposure pathways should be undertaken on a priority basis to evaluate the health impact on the local population.

The Government must also evolve a template of mining regulations by involving the representatives of the local population, who are not affiliated to political parties, interest or pressure groups, but are ideally neutral residents, in order to better understand and accommodate local concerns.

(Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/)