Tarnished Riches: The Dark Side of Copper Mining
Copper (Cu), an element of atomic number 29, belonging to Group 11 of the periodic table, is an extremely ductile reddish-gold metal while being a good conductor of electricity and heat. It is found in the free metallic state in nature which has led to its very early use from 8000BC.
While it was initially used to make coins, it has numerous applications in the modern world, one of the major being, as an ideal choice for electrical wiring, electronic devices, and power transmission infrastructure. Corrosion resistance and durability make it a preferred choice for plumbing, piping, and architectural applications. Additionally, copper’s antimicrobial properties make it valuable in healthcare settings.
The first and most important step in copper extraction is finding potential large copper deposits which are economically viable to mine. Once a promising deposit is discovered, mining operations begin. There are two primary methods of this process:
Open Pit Mining
This method is used only when copper is found close to the surface. A series of stepped trenches are created, dug deeper over time, where big machines like the bucket wheel excavators are employed to excavate the soil. Big dump trucks take the soil away for extraction of the copper ore.
Underground mining
This method is adopted when the ore is deep underground. Shafts are dug into the ground, and tunnels are created to access the ore. Miners extract the ore with the help of machinery.
Open pit mining is one of the most widely used application for excavation ores. Open pit mining and underground mining both have environmental impacts but the former has more disadvantages than the other. It involves large scale removal of soil which causes deforestation and disrupts the whole ecosystem making the land barren and infertile to regenerate. The latter on the other hand has less surface footprint causing less disturbance to the surroundings.
Chile is the largest producer of copper globally. Codelco, or Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile, is a state-owned mining company in Chile that operates several mines there including Chuquicamata, the world’s largest open-pit copper mine operating for over a century, known for its vast copper reserves. This documentary has taken the example of this mine to show the harmful effects caused due to this not only on humans but also on the environment. The journalists carried out an investigation with the miner’s union leader to learn about the consequences of working in his field. Extraction and handling of ore generates significant amount of dust, which can be detrimental to respiratory health. Workers are exposed to airborne particles, such as silica, which can lead to lung diseases and cancer if not controlled properly. Companies like Codelco hire subcontractors to provide them with workforce, but these people are not given any safety equipment by them as opposed to the ones working for the company. These mines consume vast volumes of water. People living in surrounding villages are now struggling with water shortages and water contaminated with heavy metals. Many people have tried to raise their voice against them but they are often powerless considering the influence and resources of these huge corporates.
This documentary also draws comparison to a company named Aurubis , Europe’s largest copper producer which gets a major chunk of its raw material from Codelco in Chile. During the pandemic period it made huge amount of profit, one of the best in their company history. Codelco being their major suppliers and the kind of malpractices they follow; it makes producers like Aurubis also indirectly be a part of the problem. When the journalists showed the concerned people at Aurubis their reports and insights, they let go of the claim by saying that they were not present at the time of this investigation. Like fishermen casting a wide net, profit-driven companies often forego thorough due diligence in their quest for competitive prices, inadvertently entangling themselves with unethical mines to obtain the required materials.
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With climate change and growing environmental consciousness among people, green and clean energy is the need of the hour. Electric vehicles, solar and wind power, and batteries for energy storage all run on copper. An EV requires 4 times more copper than an internal combustion engine vehicle. Copper is also key to the infrastructure that transports renewable energy. With so much copper being used, its demand will skyrocket. Using old, inefficient and costly methods of mining copper from the earth will have to be replaced with sustainable solutions.
“Copper is the metal of electrification, and electrification is much of what the energy transition is all about.”
~Daniel Yergin S&P global VP
Governments play a pivotal role in shaping the course of societies and the well-being of their citizens. They are entrusted with the task of making important decisions that impact various aspects of life, ranging from economic policies and social programs to environmental regulations and foreign relations. Copper mining often contributes significantly to a country’s economy, providing jobs and generating revenue through exports. Governments prioritize economic growth and job creation over addressing malpractices, fearing potential negative consequences for the industry. The mining industry is susceptible to corruption, with powerful interests influencing government officials and regulatory bodies. This leads to lack of action against malpractices, as those involved benefit from the status quo.
In the field of traditional mining certain drastic changes have to be made. It is important for companies to make sure that their workers get proper training, safety equipments and health insurance when working in such dangerous environments. Strict laws should be enforced for such companies to ensure that they aren’t wasting resources and function with proper protocols in place. Abandoned or closed mines should undergo rehabilitation process to ensure revival of natural ecosystems which were lost during the functioning of the mine. In the documentary the journalists interviewed professor Peter Beckett who led the initiative for the regreening project that helped rejuvenate Sudbury, a mine that operated 50 years ago. He showed them a picture which showed how the town looked in 1979 and now. Renaturation programs like this should be enforced in such places.
Several alternative solutions that can be considered instead of traditional copper mining:
- Recycling: Copper is highly recyclable, and recycling copper products can help reduce the demand for new mining. By collecting and recycling copper from old electrical wires, electronic devices, plumbing systems, and other sources, we can conserve resources and minimize environmental impacts.
- Substitutes and Alternatives: In some applications, copper can be replaced with alternative materials or technologies. In electrical wiring, aluminum is sometimes used instead of copper. Additionally, advancements in superconductor technologies may lead to the development of alternative materials that can replace copper in certain applications.
The detrimental environmental and social impacts of copper extraction underscore the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. By embracing innovative solutions, such as recycling, urban mining, and responsible mining practices, we can mitigate the adverse effects and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable energy transition. Let us strive for a future where the benefits of copper are harnessed without compromising the well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.
