8 Best Books on Environmental Control in Mines

“Advances in Coal Mine Ground Control (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)” Book Review: This book is a fundamental text for both undergraduate and graduate students studying mining engineering and related programs, and an essential reference for mining, civil, and geotechnical engineers. Authored and edited by leading experts in ground control in coal mining, it comprehensively covers all aspects of ground control practices in coal mines, with a focus on the latest advancements in the field over the past decade. Readers will gain up-to-date knowledge on current research and practices, equipping them with the most current information in this area.

“Environmental Policy in Mining: Corporate Strategy and Planning” Book Review: The aim of this book is to aid mining companies worldwide in achieving environmental compliance and enhancing competitiveness in the face of increasing environmental regulations and technological innovations. It is a crucial resource for a diverse range of professionals working on mining-related issues, including engineers, planners, ecologists, policymakers, and economists. Like the book and the research it presents, the audience is interdisciplinary, encompassing various fields.

“Remediation of Abandoned Surface Coal Mining Sites: A NATO-Project (Environmental Science and Engineering)” Book Review: This report serves as a guide for those responsible for mitigating environmental impacts from surface mining and restoring mining areas, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe, a major hub of open-cast lignite mining. It discusses the environmental challenges associated with surface coal mining and mine site restoration, including the issue of insufficient overburden material to refill the pits due to the massive amount of coal extracted. As a result, the report primarily focuses on the creation of lakes in these former surface mines, and provides guidelines for addressing water quality issues and further developing these lakes for recreational or wildlife purposes, despite the challenges posed by acidic waters, eutrophication, and contamination.

“Environmental Indicators in Metal Mining” Book Review: This book represents a significant contribution to the literature, offering practical and comprehensive solutions to mining activities. Prepared by experts from around the world, its timely content addresses the major environmental predictive techniques required for the extraction and processing of metal resources, supported by reviews and case studies. It covers current methods used for forecasting environmental effects of metal mining, making it a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in this field.

“Selection of Main Mechanical Ventilators for Underground Coal Mines: A Case Study (SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science)” Book Review: This book provides in-depth information on proper underground mine ventilation, highlighting its critical role in ensuring safe, productive, healthy, and efficient underground environments for workers at all times. It covers the correct design, implementation, and maintenance of mine ventilation, including fan installation, with consideration of economic requirements for implementing safe procedures and ensuring optimal ventilation. The book is aimed at educators, researchers, policymakers, environmental organizations, and mine operators who are interested in teaching or implementing the best practices for ventilation systems to safeguard the health and safety of mine workers.

“An Assessment of Mine Legacies and How to Prevent Them: A Case Study from Latin America (SpringerBriefs in Environmental Science)” Book Review: This book contributes to the growing literature on mine legacies by examining a case study of a small abandoned mine in Latin America. The findings highlight the consequences of inadequate closure planning, including private operators externalizing the costs of pollution. The study also reveals that the lack of state capacity can result in extractive projects becoming long-term socio-economic liabilities, adding to the understanding of mine legacies.

“Setting Priorities for Environmental Management: An Application to the Mining Sector in Bolivia (World Bank Technical Paper)” Book Review: The methodologies developed in this study are designed for prioritizing sites for remediation of environmental problems associated with mining. It also identifies high-priority investments that can yield the greatest benefits given the available resources. These methodologies have broad applications and can be utilized to identify priority remediation investments in other sectors where past activities have resulted in environmental issues.

“Geochemical Controls and Environmental Impacts of Acid Mine Drainage: A Case Study of Geochemical Processes controlling AMD in Semi Arid Conditions” Book Review: This comprehensive text examines all aspects of acid mine drainage (AMD), from material characterization to the geochemistry leading to the evolution of AMD, its potential environmental impacts under varying geological and climatic conditions, as well as strategies and state-of-the-art developments in controlling and managing AMD. It is an indispensable resource for students and researchers in minerals engineering and environmental geochemistry, and serves as a practical reference for experienced industry professionals interested in AMD management.