How does mining change the Earth's surface?

Essentially, mining usually only affects the immediate vicinity of the mine site; it does not alter the global or regional land surface to the same extent as, for example, deforestation in Brazil or Indonesia.

Coal is typically mined using strip methods, which leaves the largest ecological footprint. Nevertheless, most western countries have laws requiring companies to reclaim the land within a certain "x" number of years; in some Canadian mines, reclamation work is required to be done continuously while mining is taking place.

The other major surface mine is called an open pit, and it is usually much deeper than a strip mine. Open pits typically reach an economic limit, after which companies may choose to move to underground mining if there are still minerals present. Many countries do not require companies to refill open pits, and they often fill with water and can introduce toxic substances into water systems.

Unless the surrounding strata collapse after the mine is closed, which can leave sink holes on the surface, underground mines have very little surface expression (see related Socratic question).

Mining changes the Earth's surface by removing soil and vegetation, altering the topography, creating open pits or underground tunnels, and leaving behind waste rock and tailings. Additionally, mining can lead to erosion, habitat destruction, contamination of soil and water, and landscape fragmentation.