The impact of mining on the natural environment

The degree of negative impact of mining on the natural environment depends on many reasons, among which it is worth highlighting: technological, due to a complex of techniques and methods of influence; economic, depending on the economic opportunities of the region as a whole and the enterprise in particular; ecological, related to the characteristics of ecosystems experiencing this impact. All these causes are closely related to each other, and the excessive impact of one of them can be compensated for by the other. For example, in a mining region that has substantial budget contributions, it is possible to compensate for the intensity of environmental impact by investing additional funds both in the modernization of production and in measures to improve the state of the natural environment.

From the point of view of the impact of extraction of natural resources on the landscape, deposits of solid, liquid and gaseous natural resources should be distinguished, since the consequences of the development of each of the selected categories of deposits are different. For example, the main consequence of the development of a deposit of solid minerals open way is a violation of the relief due to the formation of dumps and different kind excavations on the surface of the earth, and by the underground method - the formation of waste heaps, which occupy tens of thousands of hectares of fertile land. In addition, coal heaps often ignite spontaneously, which leads to significant air pollution. The long-term development of oil and gas fields leads to the subsidence of the earth's surface and the intensification of seismic phenomena.

When mining, there is a high risk of man-made accidents. Man-caused accidents include accidents associated with drilling wells - fountains, griffins, etc., explosions and breakthroughs in process pipelines, fires and explosions at oil refineries, falling traveling block towers, sticking and breakage of well tools, fires at drilling rigs and etc.; associated with work in mines (underground mining), - explosions and fires in underground workings, overhead buildings, sudden emissions of coal dust and methane, accidents at lifting installations, central drains and compressor units, accidents of main ventilation fans; collapses in mine shafts, etc.

The scale of mining of mineral raw materials is increasing every year. This is due not only to an increase in the consumption of rocks and minerals, but also to a decrease in the content of useful components. Technologies have been developed that make it possible to recycle almost all materials. Currently, the global production of mining raw materials and fuels has significantly exceeded 150 billion tons per year with a useful content of less than 8% of the original mass. About 5 billion tons of overburden, 700 million tons of enrichment tailings and 150 million tons of ash are annually stored in dumps in the CIS member states. Of these, further to national economy no more than 4% is used.

Any method of mining has a significant impact on the natural environment. A great environmental risk is associated with underground and above-ground mine workings. Special influence experiencing top part lithosphere. With any mining method, there is a significant excavation of rocks and their movement. The primary relief is replaced by man-made.

Open pit mining has its own specifics. Significant destruction of the earth's surface and the existing mining technology lead to the fact that the quarry, crushing and processing complexes, pelletizing complexes and other industrial facilities of the mining and processing plant are, to one degree or another, sources of destruction and environmental pollution. Underground mining is associated with water pollution (acid mine drainage), accidents, waste rock dumps, which require land reclamation. But the area of disturbed lands with this method of mining is ten times less than with surface mining.

A significant number of mines are currently abandoned, their depth is hundreds of meters. This violates the integrity of a certain volume rocks, cracks, voids and cavities appear, many of which are filled with water. The pumping of water from mines creates extensive depression funnels, the level of aquifers decreases, there is constant pollution of surface and groundwater.

In quarrying (open pit) under the influence of powerful pumps that carry out drainage from workings, excavators, heavy vehicles, the upper part of the lithosphere and the terrain change. The risk of hazardous processes is also associated with the activation of various physical, chemical, geological and geographical processes: increased soil erosion processes and the formation of ravines; activation of weathering processes, oxidation of ore minerals and their leaching, geochemical processes are intensifying; subsidence of soils, subsidence of the earth's surface over the worked-out mine fields; in places of mining, soils are polluted with heavy metals and various chemical compounds.

Thus, it should be noted that the intensive development of the industrial complex should be carried out along with the greening of production.

Main properties geological environment oil and gas fields are the presence in the context of two immiscible liquids - oil and groundwater, as well as a significant impact on the rocks of liquid and gas hydrocarbon components. main feature in oil and gas producing complexes consists in the technogenic load on the geological environment, when the processes of selection from the bowels of useful components interact. One of the impacts on the geological environment in the areas of oil and gas fields, as well as oil refineries, is chemical pollution of the following main types: hydrocarbon pollution; salinization of rocks and underground waters with mineralized waters and brines obtained along with oil and gas; contamination with specific components, including sulfur compounds. Pollution of rocks, surface and ground water often accompanied by depletion of natural groundwater resources. In some cases, depletion may also surface water used for flooding oil reservoirs. In marine conditions, the scale of the threat of pollution of water areas is increasing both with artificial (reagents used in drilling and operating wells) and natural pollutants (oil, brines). The main cause of chemical pollution in oil fields is low culture production and non-compliance with technologies. Therefore, in the observation network for monitoring the geological environment of oil and gas fields, one of the main loads falls on geochemical observations and pollution control.

Among the physical disturbances of the geological environment in the areas of oil and gas production, one should note the manifestations of subsidence, subsidence and failures of the earth's surface, as well as flooding.

Extraction of gas and oil. What does this lead to?

How are earthquakes related to mining?

It has long been established that due to the extraction of minerals, the general geological cycle of the Earth will change. Because of this, the geological and biological state of the planet is deteriorating in a number of aspects at once. First, fossil deposits are converted by man into another form chemical compound, and this is very dangerous and harmful to mankind. Secondly, cavities are formed in the geological layers, which can lead to certain problems. And thirdly, the former geological accumulations will be distributed over the surface of the earth, dispersing a number of chemically dangerous compounds that harm the planet and humanity.

According to US statistics, over the past 10 years, the number of earthquakes has grown very strongly, modern scientists have established that the cause of earthquakes is human activity. More precisely, scientists realized that earthquakes increased due to too active and frequent human intervention in the bowels of the Earth. That is, the growth of local oil and gas development leads to an increase in the number of earthquakes, and this has been established in a number of studies. In particular, at the mining site between Alabama and Montana, seismologists recorded a strong increase in earthquakes - a study was conducted back in 2001.

Interestingly, 2011 literally broke all earthquake records of the 20th century by almost six times, and the mass nature of such activity is associated precisely with the extraction of various minerals. One of the reasons for such problems is millions of tons of injection water left in the wells after drilling, it is they who violate the seismic balance. This reason led to the closure of five gas fields in the north of Ontario, which strongly influenced the occurrence of a number of earthquakes. The same applies to the shutdown of injection wells in Arkansas, which were causing the Earth's layers to move, which led to an increase in seismic activity.

The fact that oil and gas production in Oklahoma and Arkansas is directly proportional to the jump in earthquakes, proved by scientists back in 2009. More recently, in 2013, a number of earthquakes were recorded, which scientists associate with mining. In particular, in Kemerovo region underground mining operations have been completely halted. The US Geological Survey then recorded tremors with a total magnitude of up to 5.3 near the mining site. And when seismic activity began, they immediately froze all work on coal mining, there were no victims then, but the world community drew conclusions about the connection between earthquakes and mining in mines.

Seismological activity is also observed in Krivoy Rog in Ukraine. There have been many earthquakes associated with mining. This event is associated precisely with technogenic activity, then explosions were carried out to develop minerals. These explosions disturbed the natural environment, and accordingly, they provoked the release of a certain energy, which was established by local scientists. Technogenic activity activated natural structures and strong seismic tremors immediately appeared. Similar cases are also observed in other regions where industry is developed and underground natural resources are being extracted.

Today, there are a number of reasons for the artificial occurrence of earthquakes, in frequency they are observed due to the influx of groundwater during mining. The development of various quarries, crushing complexes and other mining facilities lead to severe destruction of the total earth's surface. This factor not only negatively affects the ecology itself, but also leads to seismic activity.

The extraction of gas and oil violates the natural balance that has developed over the entire geological period of the Earth's existence. This will quickly lead to the sedimentation of rocks, which will cause the movement of the layers. In Russia, more than 2 million hectares of land have already been disturbed due to mining or occupied by production waste in the mountains. These are terrible figures that have a negative impact on the ecology of the country and lead to a violation of the state of the Earth's layers, which causes their movements and, as a result, seismic activity.

Oil production and indigenous peoples

The author of the study, Doctor of Sociology Maria Tysiachnyuk, together with foreign colleagues, is studying a set of tools that oil companies, authorities and indigenous people Arctic and Subarctic. The experience of such cooperation has already been studied in Komi, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, on Sakhalin and the northern coast of Alaska. Sociologists take dozens of interviews with representatives of the indigenous population, authorities, and companies.

"In each region, mining companies have developed their own rules for interacting with the local population, including indigenous peoples. But at the same time, there are similarities, for example, projects in Sakhalin and Point Thomson in Alaska, although the economy is political structure countries are completely different. We explore tools social support what they give to the population, and upon completion, we may develop general recommendations on cooperation, which we will offer to the Arctic Council group on sustainable development in the Arctic," the sociologist said.

According to Tysiachnyuk, an analysis of the tools for such cooperation will also be useful for the transport industry, which is developing in the Arctic.

Two consortiums - one Sakhalin

The latest work of sociologists is devoted to the cooperation of the Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 consortiums with the authorities and the population of the island, including the subarctic peoples of the Uilta, Nivkhs and Evenks. The operator of the Sakhalin-1 project is a subsidiary of the American ExxonMobil - Exxon Neftegas Limited, Sakhalin-2 - Sakhalin Energy, in which Gazprom owns 50% plus one share. Consortium taxes go to the federal and regional budgets, in addition, the companies have entered into agreements with the regional government and the regional council of authorized indigenous peoples of the Sakhalin region.

Tysiachniuk noted the difference in the methods of work of these consortiums with the population. "Sakhalin Energy has collected many practices of corporate and social responsibility, combined them together and implemented them on Sakhalin, trying to adapt to local conditions. The company makes grant programs for all the indigenous peoples of the island, even in those places where there are no oil developments. Exxon Neftegas Limited is also social a responsible company, but in line with their global corporate policies, they support communities where they operate," she said.

Alexandra Khuryun, coordinator of Exxon Neftegas Limited, told TASS that the Sakhalin-1 operator does not work directly with individuals - about 10 million rubles are annually sent to public organizations.

"As for Sakhalin Energy, in terms of interaction there is support individuals, national communities, tribal farms. Support includes scholarships, financing of paid operations. In general, cooperation between the population and companies is developing steadily and positively," Khuryun said.

Infrastructure instead of compensation

According to Tysiachnyuk, cooperation between Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 with the indigenous population is one of the most successful examples of interaction, as people get the opportunity to make their own decisions, for example, Sakhalin Energy allows peoples to distribute grants among themselves. Another example is the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO), where indigenous people receive not just compensation for damage to nature, but funds for infrastructure development.

Vladislav Vyucheisky, chairman of the board of the Union of Reindeer Breeders of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, told TASS that the Nenets have learned to calculate damage, draw up contracts and regulate relations with mining companies. "In general, the presence of industrial companies cannot be influenced in any way, so we have to learn how to interact with them. In particular, this concerns assistance in the construction of slaughterhouses and other reindeer breeding facilities," Vyucheisky said.

“Before, the residents of the NAO concluded agreements on compensation, which did not always correspond to the damage, and this depended on the ability of the community leader to agree. Now there is a methodology for calculating the amount of compensation, and the Nenets were able to build their slaughterhouses. Five years ago, the indigenous people said that oilmen came, pump out all the oil, we will be left with nothing, now they say - the oil workers will leave, but we will have the infrastructure, and nature will be restored. The discourse has changed, "the sociologist notes.

"Souvenir" culture and a return to the roots

Oil consortiums, according to Tysiachniuk, influence the life of indigenous peoples ambiguously. " locals they say that they used to spend holidays for themselves, but now the culture has become more "souvenir". The costumes of the indigenous population have never been bright, but companies began to encourage ensembles to perform abroad and finance trips. Now residents sew bright beautiful costumes so that they look good from the stage," the scientist notes.

Not all indigenous people were ready for change and support for mining companies, but at the same time, people had the opportunity to return to their roots. Today, many have abandoned the traditional way of life, Tyasyachnyuk says. "But vice versa - some people have lived all their lives in the city, and grants gave them the opportunity to retire to the land of their ancestors, create a community and engage in traditional crafts," she said.

Oil is the main component of the energy resources of our planet. Due to its advantages in terms of heat output and ease of use, oil has conquered the markets of developed and developing countries.

Oil is a fuel for transport, thermal power plants and a raw material for chemical industry. Due to the limited reserves of oil and its reserves in the world, all time runs political and armed struggle for uninterrupted oil supply.

The role of oil in the modern world

Because oil is important view energy raw materials, its role in the world economy and politics is steadily increasing. Oil exporting countries, with the help of this natural resource achieve economic and social success. At the same time, the dependence of the economies of such countries on oil prices on the market is their weakness. This has been repeatedly observed in Russia during the fall in oil prices. The only way to deal with such a negative phenomenon is diversification of the country's economy.

In terms of oil production, Saudi Arabia ranks first, producing 542 million tons per year, which is 13.1% of world production. In 2nd place is Russia (12.9%), followed by the USA (10.8%), China (5%), Canada (4.7%), Iran (4%). World oil production in 2013 amounted to 4.13 billion tons.

In terms of oil consumption, the United States ranks first, using 831 million tons per year, which is 19.9% of the total world oil consumption. In second place, as expected, China (12.1%). The main oil producers, Saudi Arabia and Russia, take only 3.2% and 3.7% of world oil consumption, respectively.

Where oil is used

Before starting to use products from oil, it is processed at an oil refinery (refinery). During the initial processing, oil is separated into fractions using special devices - distillation columns. Crude heated oil is fed into columns, where it is separated into light and heavy fractions:

petrol,
naphtha,
kerosene,
gas oil,
fuel oil

The first two fractions are subjected to pressure treatment at T = +300–350°C and in the presence of catalysts. As a result, high-quality gasoline for cars and hydrocarbons are obtained, which become raw materials for the petrochemical production of various plastics and other products.

Kerosene is purified and obtained different kinds kerosene, including aviation, tractor and lighting. Fuel oil, which is the residue after the selection of all other fractions, goes to the furnace of boilers or distillation to obtain engine oil and tar.

The petrochemical industry uses hydrocarbons, which include products such as methane, which is used to make ammonia for fertilizers, and methanol, which is used in the manufacture of resins and plastics, as well as paints and medicines.

Another common product derived from hydrocarbons is ethylene, from which ethyl alcohol, dichloroethane and polyethylene (and HDPE) are made. In addition, from hydrocarbons, which are a product of the distillation of oil, it is possible to obtain very a large number of various products.

Impact of oil production on the environment

The composition of oil includes volatile toxic hydrocarbons, naphthalene, which makes oil hazardous to nature and human health.

The sources of environmental pollution include the following objects:

oilfields,
oil pipelines,
oil storage,
means of land and sea transport.

Each of these objects in the event of any malfunction can be a threat to the environment.

If these are ground facilities, then the result of their accident may be an oil spill on the surface of the earth.

The occurrence of an emergency situation, as a result of which oil will spill into the sea, can become especially dangerous. This can happen on a tanker or at a shore terminal. In this case, marine fauna perishes, birds and fish perish.

To deal with such spills, various mechanical means collection of oil from the surface of the earth or the sea, as well as special substances - sorbents.

Oil production

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The Ust-Balykskoye field is considered one of the pioneers of the West Siberian oil chronicle. It is rightfully recognized as a 50-year-old strategic stronghold of Russia's fuel and energy security. Despite the falling debit, it is too early to write it off

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A feature of the Komsomolskoye GKNM is the presence of predominantly tectonically shielded deposits with a slight participation of deposits of lithologically shielded and reservoir-arch type.

The most viscous and especially valuable oil in deposits near Pechora

World oil reserves

The distribution and production of oil on earth is very uneven. According to the British Petroleum statistical compilation, the main oil fields are located in the Middle East. They are estimated at 109.4 billion tons and account for 47.9% of all world reserves. At the same time, oil reserves in Saudi Arabia make up 15.8% of world reserves. The reserves of North America account for 13.6%, South America- 19.5%. At the same time, 17.7% of oil reserves are concentrated in Venezuela. Eurasia has oil reserves of 8.8% of world reserves, while Russia accounts for 5.5%.

In order to roughly estimate the period for which the world economy will have enough oil resources at the current rate of oil consumption, we can divide the world reserves of 238.2 billion tons by the total annual oil production, which is 4.13 billion tons. This period is approximately 50 years. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the uncertainty associated with the fact that, on the one hand, annual oil consumption may increase with the growth of the economies of the world's countries. On the other hand, there is a process of replacing oil with renewable energy sources.

Energy sources can also be obtained from synthetic materials. Manufacturing is a prime example.

One of the accidents associated with oil production is a change in composition, after which it turned from freshwater into salty.

In order for the enterprise to be successful and investments profitable, you should think about saving energy. In what ways this can be done, read.

conclusions

Oil is the main component of the energy resources of our planet and is used not only as a fuel, but also as a raw material for the petrochemical industry.
The countries with the most developed economies consume large amounts of oil.
Oil exporting countries, including Russia, receive additional features in economic and social development.