Assessment of Environmental and Health Impacts in the Mining Sector for Sustainable Natural Resource Management: A Review

Abstract

Abstract: The exploitation of natural resources, particularly the mining industry, serves as a powerful economic driver for many countries. However, it also entails significant environmental and health repercussions, including the contamination of water resources, air pollution, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and respiratory diseases. Assessing these impacts is essential for sustainable resource management, as it enables the identification, mitigation, and monitoring of adverse effects. This article presents a literature review on the environmental and health impacts of phosphate mining, with a specific focus on the Jebel El Onk mining sector in Tébessa, northeastern Algeria a region renowned for its large phosphate reserves. Mining activities in this area release heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury, and uranium) that are naturally present in the phosphate rock. These contaminants disperse into the air and water, resulting in detrimental consequences for local health and ecosystems. The article aims to evaluate these impacts in order to propose sustainable mitigation measures that balance the reduction of environmental damage and health risks with the preservation of the economic benefits derived from phosphate mining for regional development. The main mitigation measures identified include blasting optimization, ore processing improvements, wastewater reuse, community awareness initiatives, and the strengthening of regulatory compliance.