All countries have mining industries of their own. It is a known fact that industrialized countries such  as USA, Japan, European nation sowed their prosperity due to the contributions of the mining industry. No skyscrapers, ships, railroads will exist without iron and other minerals from mines. Look around, almost all our necessities partly comes from mines.

Being in a more advanced and modernized world, our life revolves around technology so much that we depend just about every aspect of our life on it. During this pandemic, I realized that we are now even much more reliant on gadgets, the internet, and instruments crucial for our daily life. Do you know that those that I’ve mentioned and even the drinking glass and plates we just used right after we ate our meal would not possibly be created without the aid of mining? Every metal, rock, and precious ores have been proving its use through the years not just for ornamental purposes but also for practical uses. We should also consider that life is fast-paced and generations pass on and another version comes on, for now, we can only imagine flying cars and floating buildings but we will not know for sure in the future but what we know for now is that the world is always starving for changes and to satiate the desire to constant innovation we require those minerals that can only be acquired through mining. One can also not be a substitute for another, almost all of the minerals happen to be unique and it can’t be replaced by any alternative, if it can, it would affect the efficiency of the product heavily. Most of all, mining is such a big industry amounting to a whopping one trillion dollars in the world, meaning the profit it gave to the economy can’t just be disregarded.

On a side note, innovation and new legislation brought about big changes to the mining industry. Risks and hazards have lessened and improved, this means that working conditions and mining repercussions will be much better in the coming years. We cannot ignore how mining has become very integrated into our life; it is something that is stuck and can no longer be removed considering what our world is currently in. Without the mined minerals mining will give us, it’d be impossible for us to simply transition to what, a wooden oven? An ornamental gadget? Mining is and should no longer be considered as damaging because the industry is constantly changing, having new inventions and discoveries which even need mining to execute. This is why I think removing mining will never be an option; instead, we should face, use it, and make mining a more sustainable industry as we go forward. 

References:
*5 Reasons Why the World Needs Mining …And Always Will - Schneider Electric Blog (se.com)
*A Glance At The Philippine Mining Industry - YouTube

The mining industry also plays a significant role in the socio-economy, land, and technology development around the world. It provides jobs or employment opportunities, increases the gross domestic product, and produces income in the form of taxes. 

Mining as well can provide a better life for everyone. Due to the site preparation or rehabilitation afterward, the landscape of the area will be improved. Dust control and land stability will be against erosion as a result of planting and land water spray. Constructing new roads, power and groundwater sources, health centers and schools provide a more accessible community.

Moreover, the major argument against the mining industry is that mineral resources are finite and non-renewable. However, they are recyclable. Metals are reusable resources. The reusable nature of metals contributes to the sustainability of their use. Recycling, a significant factor in the supply of many of the metals used by our society, provides environmental benefits. 

Another upside of mining is that there are many different kinds of mining. For instance, mining can either be done on land or also in our oceans. This gives countries a great level of flexibility regarding which sort of mining they want to engage in. Therefore, countries can always choose the sort of mining that is most efficient and least harmful for our environment, which can help to protect our ecosystems to a certain extent.

Mining research and development can not only lead to new technologies that reduce production costs. It can also enhance the quality of existing mineral commodities while reducing their negative environmental impacts.


References:
https://www.nap.edu/read/10318/chapter/4
https://blog.se.com/mining-metals-minerals/2016/02/19/5-reasons-why-the-world-needs-mining-and-always-will/
https://environmental-conscience.com/mining-pros-cons/

references:
https://environmental-conscience.com/mining-pros-cons/
https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mineralsYou/whatAre.html
https://psa.gov.ph/content/mineral-resources 

For the past decades, the mining industry has been striving, and we have experienced the negative effects and disadvantages of mining, but with our experience, we can take measures to mitigate the adverse effects. In addition to that, the DENR assures the public that they will continue to strictly monitor the operations of mining companies and strengthen the implementation of their safety and health, environmental and social development, and management programs.  

REFERENCE: https://www.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/2935-denr-mgb-ph-mining-sector-contributes-102-3b-to-gdp-allots-379b-for-environmental-programs-in-2020

- Alternative low-impact mining techniques, like in-situ leaching. Mining companies can reduce their environmental impact.

2. Reusing mining waste

- Companies can use waste rocks in simple on-site construction, like backfilling voids and reconstructing mined terrain in a way that prevents soil erosion.

When adequately treated, mine water can be reused in just about any fashion — for agriculture, as coolant, in on-site dust suppression and for drinking water.

3. Eco friendly equipment 

- Battery-driven mining equipment is often powerful enough to replace diesel-driven options. Replacing diesel engines with electric engines where possible can significantly reduce the amount of CO2 produced by mining operations.

4. Rehabilitating used mining sites

- Mine rehabilitation is the process of restoring a mining area to almost its pre-mining state, preparing this site for productive uses.

5. Shutting down illegal mining sites

-Preventing illegal or unregulated mining operations can help ensure that all mining is bound by the same environmental standards and ensure accountability.

 

                - Reference: https://empoweringpumps.com/5-ways-to-make-mining-more-sustainable/

References: https://mineralsmakelife.org/blog/minerals-and-metals-are-vital-for-the-medical-technologies-that-save-o/

https://nma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Minerals-and-Medical-Applications-Fact-Sheet.pdf