Mining Industry of Angola - Environmental Impacts of Diamond Mining

Environmental Impacts of Diamond Mining

In Angola, diamonds are the second leading export for the country behind oil, yet the extraction of these gems causes harm to plants, water, and soil. Of the two main methods of extracting diamonds (kimberlite pipe mining and alluvial mining), pipe mining has the larger impact. Large sections of rock are removed by means of heavy machinery and hauled away to screening plants to search for diamonds. In order for the machines and trucks to navigate, roads must be built, segregating the land. Catoca diamond mine(9°24′08″S 20°18′02″E / 9.402323°S 20.3005028°E / -9.402323; 20.3005028Coordinates: 9°24′08″S 20°18′02″E / 9.402323°S 20.3005028°E / -9.402323; 20.3005028) is one where issues of environmental impacts were taken into consideration when building the mine. It is said that this particular mine holds about 60,000,000 carats (12,000 kg) worth of reserves Other mines, however, were not designed to reduce environmental impacts. Aside from the removal of mass amounts of land for mining, the soil is being leached of nutrients as the diamond extraction takes place.

As mentioned above, pipe mining affects plants through the building of roads as well as other ways. Forests are disrupted when machinery uproots trees to make roadways to the mines. Also it is estimated that about one ton of earth must be removed for the production of less than 1 carat (0.20 g). It is estimated that soon the Catoca diamond mine will be producing up to 5,000,000 carats (1,000 kg) annually which will translate to almost 10,000,000 lb (4,500,000 kg) of earth removed each year. Once this land is disrupted, it is very tough for vegetation to re-grow in these areas.

Water quality is negatively affected by alluvial mining. Many rivers are diverted so that mines can be exposed and, although they can be returned to their natural state, they typically are left how they are. To do this, canals are created and short sections of the river are dammed. Soil deposits are also affecting the water quality as the land is being unearthed. The water becomes clouded by sediment and in result drinking water for animals is polluted. Oil and chemicals from the pipe mines seep into the ground and into the water supply. In places where water is already scarce, it is important to keep the water they have in good condition.