ABSTRACT
In this chapter, mining is addressed from an integral point of view, including environmental, toxicological, ecological, health, economic, political, social, and legal aspects. Metal exposure on human health and related diseases, with special emphasis on the mechanisms of metal toxicity, are discussed. Also, since chronic exposure to multimetal-contaminated soils has ecological consequences at all levels of biological organization, this chapter describes the interactions and biological processes of animals and plants with mine tailing components, giving examples of how metal exposure causes negative effects on wild animal populations and their phytotoxic effects, underlining the consequences of metal biomagnification through the trophic chain. The remediation technologies of sites contaminated with heavy metals, with special attention to the bioremediation and phytoremediation processes, are also discussed. They are economically viable and environmentally acceptable technologies, having a high public acceptance and preserving natural soil properties. Thus, three major strategies of bioremediation are discussed in this chapter, 1) by using microorganisms, 2) by using plants, and 3) by using a combined treatment with microorganisms and plants. Other very important aspects discussed here are the mining activities associated with social and cultural conflicts, as well as local economic instability.
