Are We Dependent on Elements for Our Survival?
In our fast-changing world, elements from the periodic table play an increasingly important role. As economies expand and technology makes leaps forward, the demand for these elements keeps rising. This growing reliance not only boosts consumption but also affects many areas of our lives—from tech gadgets to our natural surroundings.
The diverse ways elements are used
Almost every element on the periodic table finds a spot in modern applications. For example, rare earth elements like neodymium are used to create super-strong permanent magnets. These magnets are a must-have in electric motors, helping electric cars run more efficiently. At the same time, classic elements like iron, copper, and lead continue to be heavily used in construction and manufacturing.
With tech innovations picking up speed, metals like lithium and cobalt are in higher demand for making batteries that power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. As our dependence on technology grows, so does our need for these key resources.
Environmental and economic effects of mining
To supply this rising demand, we extract large amounts of elements through mining. But mining isn’t without its issues. It can harm ecosystems, pollute rivers and streams, and release emissions into the air. For instance, breaking rocks during mining uses roughly 3% of the world’s generated electric power.
On the economic side, mining helps boost economic growth, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It also supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals by providing the raw materials needed for development. Still, mining often struggles to deliver long-term economic progress and can leave lasting negative effects on the environment.
Recycling and looking ahead
Recycling is an important way to cut down on raw material use and move toward a more circular economy. However, our current material reserves just can’t meet the future needs projected by economic growth estimates. As a result, mining is likely to remain the main source for many metals for the foreseeable future.
To tackle the environmental issues linked with mining, life cycle assessments are used to measure a project’s overall environmental performance. These assessments review every stage—from electricity use to water consumption—to help guide better practices.
New approaches in mining practices
Researchers are now working to integrate environmental considerations right from the start of mining project planning. One standout effort comes from the SoSRare Research team at the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines. Their paper, “Environmental optimisation of mine scheduling through life cycle assessment integration,” details a method that sets annual carbon emission limits and adjusts mine plans accordingly—a smart move for areas with carbon pricing.
Their study shows that you can considerably cut the effects on global warming while only slightly reducing economic returns. In fact, with an environmental limit in place, they managed to achieve 91.9% of the reduction in global warming effect while retaining 95.9% of the net present value compared to standard methods.
Smart mine planning for the future
Building eco-minded strategies into mine planning is key to making raw material extraction more responsible. As mining continues to be a big part of our world’s growth, balancing economic gains with ecological upkeep is becoming more and more important.
Striking the right balance between using natural resources and keeping our planet healthy can be tricky, and it calls for creative solutions and a shared effort. By recognizing how much elements shape our everyday lives and our future, we can value them more as we work toward practices that benefit both people and the environment.