What are the impacts with a large-scale coal strip mine?
Strip mining is inherently destructive to large areas, disturbing land and watersheds for many decades. During the mining process there are noise impacts from blasting, trucks, large equipment, and the construction and operation of coal transport systems. Diesel emissions from mining equipment and coal transport equipment (truck, train, ship), will degrade air quality and may pose adverse health effects to nearby residents. Large amounts of coal dust will be generated during the mining, transport and storage phases. Run-off and waste water discharges from mine facilities will have impacts on fish bearing streams and waterways with potential changes in ph and increases in sedimentation. Disturbed lands may expose minerals to chemical reactions resulting in heavy metals leaching, resulting in highly toxic water run-off.
