ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the most important environmental risks associated with mining from extraction, through processing to accidents. Mining of nonrenewable resources has caused severe environmental problems all over the world. Drilling, oil and gas production, coal, ore and nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying, and mineral processing all pose hazards to and often have impacts on the environment. Tailings facilities have caused a number of serious accidents and polluted the environment as illustrated by the examples of the Stava, Aznalcóllar, Baia Mare and Ajka accidents.
