Environmental Management for the Mining Industry - Essay Sample

Introduction

The rapid growth and development in the CSG development have not only brought forth environmental concerns, but it has also elicited grave health issues among locals living around the regional Queensland, Australia. Findings and results on a study undertaken to determine the impact of coal gas mining on the well-being and health of locals showed that mining activities are bound to bring forth changes in the working and living conditions in addition to the environment and local economy (Fiona, Liane, Anna & Gericke 2017). A qualitative analysis of the findings showed that the well-being and health of the communities are greatly affected by coal gas development. Despite the development and growth noted with the increased activities on coal seam gas development, environmental concerns and the impact of the same on the locals is going unattended.

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While taking into account the impact of seam gas development on the environment, it is also critical and important to do the same on the health and well-being of the locals. According to Fiona et al., (2017) gas and coal mining is no doubt poised to affect and have a negative impact on the environment. The same is also evident in human well-being. The results of the study point to the fact that locals within the vicinity of mining sites are faced with economic, social, and environmental impacts due to the increased growth of CSG development. Experts in the field have often raised concern on the possible direct or indirect impact of the increased and uncontrolled growth of CSG. Fiona et al., (2017) argue that possible and raised concerns on the same include drug and alcohol abuse, mental health concerns, social capital, civic engagement, and community level factors. These among a host of other possible impacts have no doubt life mining companies within the region strategizing on the possible tactics of reducing the impact on the lives of the locals.

While the impacts varied from outer and inner communities, it is no doubt that the findings are just but superficial observations. The impact of the growth and development in CSG within the region of Queensland, Australia goes beyond what is captured in the research study. The research that explores the determinants of the well-being and health of communities living close to coal seam gas development around the regions of Queensland, Australia is deep and more profound (Fiona et al., 2017). Coal seam gas development within the region is having and bound to have deep impacts on the lives of the people both living within the inner and outer regions. Although the findings cover a wide range of social, economic and health issues, it fails to take into account the very lasting impact of the same for people who have lived within the region and moved away. Exposure to the secondary impurities produced from CSG is also as harmful as direct exposure. It is no doubt that some people may come into contact with the impacts but only on a brief period, but this still portends some level of impact on the individual.

However, the findings are critical in informing health experts on how best to provide health services to the affected; it fails to provide the mining companies with practical solutions to the reduction of the impacts on communities within and around Queensland, Australia. Such should entail aggressive programs that address social, health, economic and environmental valuation to cater to the needs of the society and communities around and within the mining regions.

References

Fiona Mactaggart, Liane McDermott, Anna Tynan, & Christian A. Gericke. (2017, August 03). Exploring the determinants of health and wellbeing in communities living in proximity to coal seam gas developments in regional Queensland. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4568-1