Impact of land pollution

Mine waste will pollute the land surrounding it. The area can be quite small but the toxic nature of the waste means that only a few plants can grow, even years later. When mine waste is stored above natural water courses, the waste pile may collapse and cover more land. Many mining activities release dust particles, which will settle on the vegetation near the mine. Dust reduces plant growth: the leaves of plants need to absorb light energy to perform photosynthesis and dust may prevent this