WATER AND SOIL CONTAMINATION FROM MINING TAILINGS

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to discuss and analyze the effects of water and soil contamination from mining tailings waste. The economic activity is based mainly on the exploitation of minerals, gold and uranium being exclusive. In these mining activities the degradation of waste from tailings is impossible, the same that contaminate soils, surface waters, underground and therefore in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems and their products to be consumed, such as fish and agricultural products, to the detriment of the health of the populations surrounding the mining companies. The presence of chemical elements and the high toxicity of its components aggravate its danger and its potential as a generator of polluting impacts on people's health and that they suffer highly harmful alterations. 52 refereed and indexed articles from the Scopus and Scielo databases between the years 2017 to 2020 were reviewed, the effects of water and soil contamination caused by mining tailings waste. It is concluded that mining tailings and the environmental impact of a mining project is unavoidable, especially in the degradation of soils, surface water, underground and air. This pollution causes the presence of elements, minerals and metalloids, which cause disturbances in the ways of life of human populations. The promulgation of norms that can regulate and prevent the contamination of tailings from continuing to affect the population and the environment is necessary. Finally, this review has allowed us to perceive the need for more information that, although it may exist, there is an urgent urgency to study the impact of contamination of mining tailings on human and ecosystem health.

Keywords: contamination; environment; mining; tailing