The economy runs on the power of numerous sectors in the 21st century. Among these, mineral extraction has been one of the main pillars of the economy for centuries. If we take you back to prehistoric times, minerals such as flint were in usage to make tools for survival. As the human race revolutionized, we started extracting copper, coal, oil, gas, and gold, completely changing the dynamics of the global economy.
The gold rushes in South Africa and Western Australia are some of the prominent examples of the influence the extraction of minerals can have on the economy. In the United States of America, the minerals mining industry consists of about 1 million jobs. Also, this sector is one of the highest-paying private sectors in the country.
Here’s what you need to know about mineral extraction and its role in the economy:
What Is Mineral Extraction?
Some people are not aware that mining is known as mineral extraction. Mineral extraction is closely linked with the improvement of lifestyles around the world, it’s one of the building blocks of nations that are eager to develop.
There are numerous minerals beneath the earth’s surface, such as metals and valuable stones. Basically, these minerals help in running numerous industries around the world. Some examples of these industries include construction, electronics, etc. Basically, mineral extraction has connections with almost every other industry.
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Influence Of Mineral Extraction On The Economy
Mineral extraction carries tremendous significance all around the world, primarily in the United States. It plays a vital role in the manufacturing of goods and commodities that are essential for a basic lifestyle. Economies with better mineral extraction tend to have strong economies as this works as a catalyst in improving the national GDP of a country.
Mineral extraction has a positive impact on economies. It leads to employment generation as well as income generation. Not only this, if we talk about developing nations, there is also a need for skill transfer. Many countries around the world made their economies sustainable with the help of mineral extraction.
Furthermore, due to the multiplier effect, each metal mining job is responsible for creating 2.8 additional jobs. Also, if we talk about non-metal mining jobs, they create about 2.5 new jobs as well. Such stats make the influence of mineral extraction very prominent in the economy. If we only talk about America, about 370,000 people have direct links with mineral extracting. Also, the headcount of people who have indirect links with this sector is much higher.
Raw material worth billions of dollars goes through extraction from the earth’s surface, making it highly valuable. For example, the automotive, aerospace, construction, or technological industries, all rely on the extraction of raw materials. According to statistics, about $3 trillion of the United States economy is dependent on mineral extraction, which is without any doubt an eye-opening number if we talk about the role played by mineral extraction in the economy.
Few Risks Of Mineral Extraction
Even though mineral extraction plays a pivotal role in running the global economy, it surely has a few risks that can’t be ignored. The following are some of the common potential risks of mineral extraction:
Threat To Habitat
Protecting the ecosystem is a hot debate these days. Habitat destruction is one of the most prominent risks of extraction. In general, it can be surface or even ground mining. Here, the area goes through an alteration, leading to a threat to animals and plants of that region. As you can’t dig out minerals without touching the earth’s surface and cutting or drilling down some areas, there are always a few species of plants and animals that are vulnerable.
Water And Air Quality Issues
Poor air and water quality around the world is a major concern these days. The contamination of these life-supporting entities is reaching its peak. Water plays a significant role in mining. No matter the type of mining you’re doing, water is an essential part of the process. However, water can contaminate during this process. Hence, mine drainage needs to be sorted out, and water channels should be protected at all costs to make sure people have access to clean water.
However, there’s no denying the fact that throughout the mining process, many harmful gasses are released into the air. These include carbon dioxide and mercury, which can hamper the quality of air we take in. Such issues later create big disasters such as global warming and whatnot.
Conclusion
The mining industry is responsible for providing jobs to millions of people around the world. No one can survive without it. Mineral extraction needs to be there to make our economies flourish. However, authorities need to ensure all the necessary practices to keep the safety of the workers as well as the ecosystems.
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