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Negative Impacts on the Environment From Coal Mining

Coal is used by power stations to produce energy, which itself is harmful to the environment due to the emissions produced. Coal has been mined since ancient Roman times, but it has only became a major energy source since the Industrial Revolution. It currently provides 22 percent of the world's energy, according to the Environmental Literacy Council. The extraction of coal from the planet by mining operations has many negative impacts on the environment.

Land Disturbance
- Coal mines can permanently change the landscape. They leave barren areas of land where plants have been killed off. Moreover, land subsidence can occur, in which the Earth sinks, due to the removal of material -- coal -- from below the ground.
Water Pollution
- Acid mine drainage, or AMD, is a metal-rich water formed by the chemical reaction between water and rocks containing sulphur-bearing materials, which are left exposed following mining activities, as explained by the World Coal Association. The AMD is acidic and can infiltrate local waterways, having negative impacts on aquatic life.
Air Pollution
- Coal dust and small, airborne particles are common in the atmosphere surrounding mining operations. Coal dust is dangerous if inhaled over an extensive period of time. People with prolonged exposure to coal dust can develop black lung disease, which if left untreated can lead to lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis and heart failure, according to Environment 911.
Noise Pollution
- Heavy machinery is used in mining operations, and this creates a lot of noise. This can be unpleasant for people in the surrounding areas.
Loss of Biodiversity
- Coal mining takes up a large area, meaning a wide range of species will be impacted by the mine. The result is a loss of biodiversity as native species' habitat and food supplies are destroyed. According to Environment 911, this results in an imbalanced ecosystem, with potential endangerment or even extinction of species.
Acid Rain
- According to Environment 911, the high acidity of AMD means that as this water evaporates, it remains highly acidic. The result is that, as this water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, it falls back to the Earth as acid rain. Acid rain can damage trees and impact the health of aquatic organisms in rivers and lakes.
Climate Change
- Methane is formed during the process of coal formation. According to the World Coal Association, methane is released from the coal seam and the surrounding disturbed strata during mining operations. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Thus, methane emissions can contribute to global warming through intensifying the greenhouse effect. Moreover, methane is also related to the formation of ozone, which impacts air quality and can also contribute to the greenhouse effect, according to the American Geophysical Union.

Nature