Environmental impacts
The negative effects of opal mining on the environment include erosion and compaction of the soils. Soil compaction occurs when the heavy machinery that is used to drill holes for finding opals eventually presses soil particles together, compacting them. Compacted soil results in a reduced rate of water infiltration and drainage. The movement of gases in the compacted soils slows down, which can have a negative impact on tree roots, making them weaker and the trees more vulnerable to falling over.
Over 200,000 mine shafts are scattered over the Coober Pedy region. Many of these are almost impossible to see unless you are mere metres away. When mining operations have ceased in an area, they are supposed to be filled back in with earth or covered with sheet metal. However, many remain uncovered and open, which endangers people and animals such as livestock and native animals including kangaroos, wallabies and emus that are in the area. With so many mines all in one place, the chances of stumbling across a mine are very high.
A lot of native vegetation has been cleared away to allow for the drilling of minerals in Australia. However, a lot of this was cleared away years ago so there is minimal damage to vegetation now. The issue that arises from this is the lack of food for native animals. These animals rely on the vegetation not only for reliable source of food but also as shelter from the harsh sun and strong winds that are unavoidable in some places. The animals are therefore either drawn away from the towns into the centre of the country, where it is an even harsher climate or into the centre of these towns, where deep mine shafts, mullock heaps and machinery all pose threats to the safety of the animals.
Over 200,000 mine shafts are scattered over the Coober Pedy region. Many of these are almost impossible to see unless you are mere metres away. When mining operations have ceased in an area, they are supposed to be filled back in with earth or covered with sheet metal. However, many remain uncovered and open, which endangers people and animals such as livestock and native animals including kangaroos, wallabies and emus that are in the area. With so many mines all in one place, the chances of stumbling across a mine are very high.
A lot of native vegetation has been cleared away to allow for the drilling of minerals in Australia. However, a lot of this was cleared away years ago so there is minimal damage to vegetation now. The issue that arises from this is the lack of food for native animals. These animals rely on the vegetation not only for reliable source of food but also as shelter from the harsh sun and strong winds that are unavoidable in some places. The animals are therefore either drawn away from the towns into the centre of the country, where it is an even harsher climate or into the centre of these towns, where deep mine shafts, mullock heaps and machinery all pose threats to the safety of the animals.
Overall, there are many positive and negative impacts on the environment and people who live in Coober Pedy. Of these, the majority are long term effects including impacts on society, health of the residents, animals and the environment.