AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Impacts of Mining
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
A mining company has depleted the most accessible coal seams. What is the economic implication for their future operations?
The company will have to access the remaining coal through very expensive subsurface mining, increasing their operational costs.
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A mining company has depleted the most accessible coal seams. What is the economic implication for their future operations?
The company will have to access the remaining coal through very expensive subsurface mining, increasing their operational costs.
What are the key economic benefits of mining?
Mining provides low-cost energy and the material necessary to make products.
What is the environmental consequence of depleting high-grade ores?
As accessible ores are depleted, mining lower-grade ores requires increased use of resources, which causes increased waste and pollution.
What are the primary ecological impacts of surface mining?
Surface mining removes vegetation and makes the area susceptible to erosion by removing large portions of soil and rock.
List three negative environmental impacts of coal mining.
The mining of coal can destroy habitats, contaminate groundwater, and release dust particles and methane.
What are slag and tailings?
Slag and tailings are two types of mining wastes generated during natural resource extraction.
A region's topsoil and vegetation have been completely removed for a strip mine. What is this area now highly susceptible to?
The removal of vegetation and soil makes the area highly susceptible to erosion.
What is overburden?
Overburden is the large portion of soil and rock that is removed during surface mining operations to expose the desired ore.
What is surface mining?
Surface mining is the removal of large portions of soil and rock, known as overburden, to access natural resources.
Under what condition does subsurface mining become necessary for coal extraction?
As coal reserves get smaller and more depleted, it becomes necessary to access the remaining coal through subsurface mining.
What is the general process of natural resource extraction through mining?
Natural resource extraction through mining involves accessing and removing ores from the earth, which can include surface or subsurface methods.