Editing Environmental geology (section)

=== Mining ===
Since the Stone Age, when humans began [[mining]] for [[flint]], they have been dependent on this practice, and the dependency on minerals continues to increase as society evolves. One of the downsides of mining is that it is restricted to areas where minerals are present and economically viable. Mining duration is also restrained as mineral resources are finite, so when a deposit is exhausted, mining in that location comes to an end.<ref name=":0" /> Although modern mining and mineral activities utilize many ways to reduce negative environmental impacts, accidental releases can occur and the appropriate mitigation and prevention practices were not common in historical practices. Potentially harmful metals, other deposit constituents, and mineral processing chemicals or byproducts can contaminate the surrounding environment due to these situations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Plumlee|first=G.S.|date=22 April 2021|title=The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits| journal=Journal of Geochemical Exploration}}</ref> Some common environmental impacts of mining are rock displacements that allow fine dust particles to seep into surface waters, the defacement of the local landscape, and the large amounts of waste with some being chemically reactive.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Zobrist|first=Jürg|date=22 April 2021|title=Mining and the environment|journal=Environmental Science and Pollution Research International|volume=20|issue=11|pages=7487–7489|doi=10.1007/s11356-013-1990-5|pmid=23975705|s2cid=31497017|via=SpringerLINK Contemporary|doi-access=free}}</ref> Ultimately, the impact that mining has on the environment is determined by many factors such as the size of the operation and the type of mining. Environmental geology has reduced the negative environmental impacts of mining as it has been used in litigation toward mining. In some countries like Brazil<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gastauer |first1=Markus |last2=Souza Filho |first2=Pedro Walfir Martins |last3=Ramos |first3=Silvio Junio |last4=Caldeira |first4=Cecílio Frois |last5=Silva |first5=Joyce Reis |last6=Siqueira |first6=José Oswaldo |last7=Furtini Neto |first7=Antonio Eduardo |date=2019-01-01 |title=Mine land rehabilitation in Brazil: Goals and techniques in the context of legal requirements |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1053-8 |journal=Ambio |language=en |volume=48 |issue=1 |pages=74–88 |doi=10.1007/s13280-018-1053-8 |issn=1654-7209 |pmc=6297110 |pmid=29644620}}</ref> and Australia<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nichols |first1=Owen G. |last2=Nichols |first2=Flora M. |date=5 August 2003 |title=Long-Term Trends in Faunal Recolonization After Bauxite Mining in the Jarrah Forest of Southwestern Australia |url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.00190.x |journal=Restoration Ecology |language=en |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=261–272 |doi=10.1046/j.1526-100X.2003.00190.x |s2cid=86244786 |issn=1061-2971}}</ref> for example, it is decreed by law that sites must undergo rehabilitation after a mining operation has ceased. Prior to any mining, an assessment is also necessary to analyze the potential environmental impacts. Another measure taken is that an environmental management program must be produced to show how the mine will operate. Land planning is an important aspect in deciding whether a site is suitable for mining but some environmental degradation is inevitable. Environmental Geology continues to lower the amount of negative effects that mining has on the natural environment.<ref name=":0" />