Increasing mine waste will induce land cover change that results in ecological degradation and human displacement
John R. Owen, Deanna Kemp, Alex M. Lechner, Michelle Li Ern Ang, Éléonore Lèbre, Gavin M. Mudd, Mark G. Macklin, Muhamad Risqi U. Saputra, Tahjudil Witra, Anthony Bebbington
Abstract
• Mining-induced displacement is a severely under researched social policy problem. • Through global data sources and historic remote sensing we analyse this problem. • The main output of most mining activity is hazardous waste. • We confirm waste as the principal source of human displacement globally in mining. • Resources to fuel urbanisation and energy transition targets will drive increases in waste.
Topics & Concepts
UrbanizationHazardous wasteDisplacement (psychology)Environmental scienceEnvironmental degradationMunicipal solid wasteVegetation coverEnvironmental engineeringEnvironmental planningWaste managementLand useEngineeringCivil engineeringEcologyBiologyPsychotherapistPsychologyMining and Resource ManagementHydropower, Displacement, Environmental ImpactTailings Management and Properties