Global Area Disturbed and Pressures on Biodiversity due to Large-Scale Metal Mining

DIEGO MURGUIA

Kassel University Press

Lugar: Kassel; Año: 2015 p. 350

9783737600408

The rising global demand formetals in a context of declining ore grades is driving the opening of new minesand the expansion of existing ones, disturbing substantial land areas(especially by open pits). However, how much land is currently disturbedglobally? How much land could be disturbed by metal mining in 2050? This study investigatesthe global area disturbed by mining of iron, bauxite, copper, gold, and silverfor the first time. The first part consists of the calculation of the specificland requirements, i.e. the area newly disturbed caused by the ore extractionat the mine site. The second part addresses the global area disturbed in theyear 2011 whereas the third presents scenarios of how such area might evolveuntil 2050. The last part addresses the current and future pressures on globalbiodiversity by metal mines and shows possibilities for the future opening ofnew mines in low biodiversity areas, alleviating pressures in high biodiversityones. This study presents the findings of the author´s dissertation hoping theyare used as a frame to develop policies and incentives to reduce the amount ofarea directly disturbed by mines and their pressures on biodiversity.