A new study published in Earth-Science Reviews warns climate change could significantly exacerbate the risk of toxic metal mining waste contaminating global marine environments.
Researchers assembled a global database of 4,094 active mines, 28,563 inactive mines, and 1,427 tailings storage facilities, finding nearly 293,000km of coastline at risk.
The analysis identified Australia as one of six high-risk hotspots, along with North America, South America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and East Asia.
Under the RCP8.5 climate modelling scenario between 2071 and 2099, temperate zones are projected to see 99% more active mines, 252% more inactive mines, and 148% more tailings facilities experiencing warmer summers, increasing erosion and thawing risks.
Additionally, three-quarters of active and inactive sites face increased precipitation and potential waste runoff, while reduced rainfall projected for over half of tailings facilities increases dry waste wind erosion risks. Potential sea level rises of 3–5m by 2100 could also submerge and erode coastal tailings structures.
The report notes that the slow, continuous release of contaminants from inactive legacy mines poses a larger long-term global challenge than acute tailings dam failures.
To mitigate exposure, recommendations include satellite monitoring, physical sediment stabilisation, and best-practice waste filtration or burial.
National Oceanography Centre research scientist and lead author Adam Sproson told environmental news outlet Mongabay: “We isolate six hotspots, but that makes up a large part of the world. There’s quite a lot of coastline to cover.”
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Unsplash
