Investigating the effects of open pit mines on the environment

A mine or so-called "deposit" is a place where economically valuable materials are gathered in the earth's crust. Mining is of interest to geomorphologists and environmental researchers due to its impact on geomorphological hazards and processes. Most of the accidents and incidents that occurred in large industrial countries as a result of drilling were caused by drilling and open pit mines, therefore, open pit mines are considered as the most dangerous industrial sector. Mines have adverse effects on the environment, including erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity and contamination of underground water by chemicals resulting from the process of general mining and partial open pit mining. Environmental components can be defined as public health and safety, social relations, air and water quality, flora and fauna. Social and financial needs determine the amount of mineral production and thus the global demand for minerals. To ensure the effective protection of the environment, various tools and techniques have been developed, including environmental impact assessment (EIA). Therefore, their quick, accurate and low-cost investigation is a challenge for the earth science community. Basically, open pit mining is used for mass deposits that have difficult conditions in terms of geomechanics and have continued horizontally and sloping up to the surface of the earth. In general, this method is used for metal mines, usually copper and iron. In this research, open pit mines have been investigated and compared to their advantages and disadvantages compared to underground mines, as well as the destructive effects they have on the environment.