Iron Ore Extraction: Positive Environmental Impacts?

[Aya]

I really don't know what catagoir this would go under , but its an assignment for chem so...

Woud there be any positive envromental impacts of iron ore extraction? This was on of the topics we had to reaserch, but form 3 days of searching throught the net, positive effects iron ore extraction ha on the inviroment could not be found. so if anyone knows about the issue I would be verry greatfull for you input.


the exact question is
What are some positive and negative environmental impacts of this process.

Pleas help, thanks

 

[Astronuc]

I believe that in general, the environmental impact of any metal extraction and processing is detrimental to the environment, starting with disturbing the environment, then dumping the waste, then chemically extracting the desired metals, then extracting them from the minerals.

Metals are 'unnatural' - they chemically prefer to be oxidized and combined with non-metals in the forum of oxides, sulphides, carbonates, sulphates, and various other compounds.

Of course, our use of technology in a consumer driven economy dictates a strong demand for metals.

 

[Aya]

^ Ok thank you, so no marks taken off by saying there are no positive economic impacts if i explain..right?

 

[Astronuc]

There are of course positive economic benefits in the sense that metals are used in a variety of products that people use - e.g. various tools and instruments, cooking and food preparation, transportation, building structural materials.

Structural steel made tall buildings (skyscrapers) and long/tall bridges possible!

 

[Aya]

^ sorry I ment enviromental.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Aya]

The cost of extracting and purifying metals is varied for various reasons, this means that the company might not make profit on the iron ore.
Since there is a ,relatively, large amount of iron ore it is cheap. This means that the company needs to find a lot of it in order to make a profit.
If the country's economy relies heavily on the exporting iron ore, the economy is vulnerable because it is effected by the global demand for the iron.

would these be sutible negative ecomonical impacts