How many coal mines are in Elk Valley?
The Elk Valley is home to four coal mines, all owned by Teck Resources.
Are coal tailings toxic?
Mine tailings are usually produced from the mill in slurry form, which is a mixture of fine mineral particles and water. Tailings, especially tailing stored in water by tailings dam in ponds, can be dangerous sources of toxic chemicals, such as heavy metals, sulfides and radioactive content.
Why is coal mining bad for the environment?
Coal mining harms land, surface waters, groundwater and even our air. 4 Impacts to the land from mining cause drastic changes in the local area. Damage to plants, animals and humans occurs from the destruction and removal of habitat and environ- mental contamination.
What is the issue with coal mining?
Mining Adds Harmful Pollution to Our Air: There are two main sources of air pollution during the coal production process: methane emissions from the mines, which contribute to global warming pollution, and particulate matter (PM) emissions, which can cause significant respiratory damage as well as premature death.
Where is Elk Valley mine?
British Columbia
Situated 30km south east of Sparwood, in south-eastern British Columbia, the Coal Mountain metallurgical/thermal coal mine produces metallurgical and thermal products for international steelmakers and other industries.
What is mined at Sparwood?
More than 80 per cent of the metallurgical coal exported by Canada comes from the Elk Valley near Sparwood, B.C. The mines are vital to the local economy but technology and environmental pressure could sound the death knell of the industry.
What is left after coal mining?
Coal refuse (also described as coal waste, slag, coal tailings, waste material, culm, boney, or gob) is the material left over from coal mining, usually as tailings piles or spoil tips.
Who produces the most coal?
The top five coal producing countries in the world
- China. China is the global leader in coal production by an incredible margin, producing 3,474 metric tonnes (mt) in 2018, rising by 2.9% for the second year running but down from its peak of 3,749mt in 2013.
- India.
- US.
- Australia.
- Indonesia.
What is mined in Sparwood?