Task 3:
Explain the sustainability, or otherwise, of the use of the region for mining
Overall, opal mining in Coober Pedy is not sustainable. It cannot carry on without creating more negative impacts or problems for people and the environment in the future.
At the moment, opal mining in the Coober Pedy region is extremely beneficial to the economy of small towns that rely heavily on the industry and tourism to survive. Mining for the mineral in Coober Pedy has been in existence for 100 years. Opal is a finite mineral and the area will eventually run out and have nothing left to mine. Without any opal, the communities that are dependent on it will eventually be abandoned and become “ghost towns”. Smaller businesses in the area that are indirectly impacted will also suffer. Once all mining for the mineral has ceased, many people will be left without jobs. These people, who had previously worked with a company or individually, will have skills that are no longer required and their line of work will eventually no longer be of use. Without the mining operations in action, the tourism industry will decline. People will be less inclined to visit a desolate town without any residents or attractions. Therefore, in terms of economic sustainability, opal mining is not currently sustainable.
Opal mining brings up a variety of different associated health risks and issues. Inhalation of silica over an extended period of time can lead to silicosis. So far, no research has proven that this disease is inherited by future generations but there are still no actions being taken to make sure that they will not suffer from this health issue. There are also no noise restrictions in place to reduce the amount of noise pollution. Residents who continue to live in houses above the ground will still have to deal with the issue unless further actions are taken. Although unused mine shafts are supposed to be sealed in some way, there are still uncovered mines scattering the land. This is not socially sustainable, as the danger of someone falling into the mine and potentially injuring themselves fatally is still very high. Due to these reasons, opal mining in Coober Pedy is not socially or culturally sustainable.
Mine shafts litter the 4,954 km2 mine fields in Coober Pedy. They vary in depth but are typically 25m-30m deep. The environmental impacts of opal mining on the area are very significant. There are large piles of dirt and dust scattering the landscape and there is a constant danger of running into an uncovered mine. This poses threats to the wildlife living in that area and if no actions are taken, the safety of these animals is at risk. Heavy machinery and human activity in the area has cleared away most of the vegetation and has made it difficult for new plants and trees to grow. Due to lack of shelter, native animals are already struggling to survive in Australia’s harsh outback. In years to come, without any actions being taken to prevent this problem, future generations will no longer be able to sustain plant or animal life in Coober Pedy. Therefore, if mining operations continue to affect the environment as they currently are, it is not sustainable.
At the moment, opal mining in the Coober Pedy region is extremely beneficial to the economy of small towns that rely heavily on the industry and tourism to survive. Mining for the mineral in Coober Pedy has been in existence for 100 years. Opal is a finite mineral and the area will eventually run out and have nothing left to mine. Without any opal, the communities that are dependent on it will eventually be abandoned and become “ghost towns”. Smaller businesses in the area that are indirectly impacted will also suffer. Once all mining for the mineral has ceased, many people will be left without jobs. These people, who had previously worked with a company or individually, will have skills that are no longer required and their line of work will eventually no longer be of use. Without the mining operations in action, the tourism industry will decline. People will be less inclined to visit a desolate town without any residents or attractions. Therefore, in terms of economic sustainability, opal mining is not currently sustainable.
Opal mining brings up a variety of different associated health risks and issues. Inhalation of silica over an extended period of time can lead to silicosis. So far, no research has proven that this disease is inherited by future generations but there are still no actions being taken to make sure that they will not suffer from this health issue. There are also no noise restrictions in place to reduce the amount of noise pollution. Residents who continue to live in houses above the ground will still have to deal with the issue unless further actions are taken. Although unused mine shafts are supposed to be sealed in some way, there are still uncovered mines scattering the land. This is not socially sustainable, as the danger of someone falling into the mine and potentially injuring themselves fatally is still very high. Due to these reasons, opal mining in Coober Pedy is not socially or culturally sustainable.
Mine shafts litter the 4,954 km2 mine fields in Coober Pedy. They vary in depth but are typically 25m-30m deep. The environmental impacts of opal mining on the area are very significant. There are large piles of dirt and dust scattering the landscape and there is a constant danger of running into an uncovered mine. This poses threats to the wildlife living in that area and if no actions are taken, the safety of these animals is at risk. Heavy machinery and human activity in the area has cleared away most of the vegetation and has made it difficult for new plants and trees to grow. Due to lack of shelter, native animals are already struggling to survive in Australia’s harsh outback. In years to come, without any actions being taken to prevent this problem, future generations will no longer be able to sustain plant or animal life in Coober Pedy. Therefore, if mining operations continue to affect the environment as they currently are, it is not sustainable.