Why is mining a problem?

Strong Environmental Impact Assessment reports, at least in western countries, are typically completed by the company prior to the development of a mine. These reports are reviewed by the government and serve to outline the terms and conditions under which the mine will operate as well as what should happen after mining is finished (including reclamation).

For instance, the pit will have a specific size, effluent won't be dumped in rivers, air emissions will be limited, and the area will be reclaimed using a specific method after mining is finished. However, all of these "such and suchs" are highly variable based on the circumstances and the government involved.

The issue with mining is that if a government doesn't require these kinds of conditions in order to approve a project, the mining company may leave behind a real mess that will either take centuries or thousands of years for mother nature to clean up, or the government and taxpayers will be responsible for paying for it.

In the past, some mining companies, knowing the mine would shut down soon, would siphon off company money to shareholders or executives and then declare bankruptcy – they would then tell the government they have no money to do reclamation work. Upfront bond requirements as a condition of their initial mining approval are starting to stop this practice. The other problem is that sometimes even if a company has these kinds of obligations, they might ignore them if there is poor enforcement by the government.

Mining is a problem due to its environmental impact, including deforestation, habitat destruction, air and water pollution, and contribution to climate change. It can also lead to social issues such as displacement of communities, human rights abuses, and conflicts over resources. Additionally, mining activities can have long-lasting effects on ecosystems and local economies.