The demand for minerals has increased significantly due to their importance in renewable energy, electronics, and infrastructure. However, mining has serious environmental effects, particularly on water ecosystems. Toxic waste often pollutes rivers and deep-sea mining can cause irreversible harm. These activities threaten water quality, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of many communities worldwide. This article looks at the various impacts of mining on aquatic environments and explores practical ways to reduce the damage while still meeting the need for these vital resources.
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The Ripple Effects of Mining on Water Systems
Mining is essential for modern industry, but it harms the environment. It can deplete and contaminate freshwater sources and destroy habitats. This threatens the ecosystems and communities that depend on these crucial water resources.
Freshwater depletion and contamination
Mining operations often require vast amounts of water for various processes such as mineral processing, dust suppression, and cooling machinery.
In regions already experiencing water scarcity, this creates fierce competition for limited freshwater resources. For example, lithium extraction in South America's Lithium Triangle, which includes Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, pumps brine from underground. This process reduces freshwater availability for Indigenous communities and farms in the Atacama Desert. Similarly, copper mining in Chile’s Salar de Atacama accounts for over 65% of the region’s water supply, resulting in aquifer depletion and the salinization of remaining water sources.1,2
In addition to these water-related challenges, mining introduces harmful pollutants, such as heavy metals and toxic chemicals, into local waterways. This is a major issue in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where cobalt mining pollutes waterways and threatens the environment and local communities that need clean water.
According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), 16% of essential mineral mines are now in areas with high or extreme water stress. Unless strong actions are taken, this number could rise to 20% by 2050.2
Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss
Mining disrupts aquatic habitats through sedimentation, altered flow dynamics, and physical destruction of riverbeds and coastal zones. In large US rivers like the Mississippi, sand and gravel dredging have ruined fish breeding grounds and increased sediment, which covers and suffocates small organisms living on the riverbed. In Indonesia, nickel mining has damaged coral reefs and polluted seawater, leading to a decline in fish populations vital for local fishing communities.1,3
Deep-sea mining poses even greater risks to marine biodiversity. The Pacific Ocean's Clarion-Clipperton Zone, a polymetallic nodules hotspot, hosts over 5,000 species. Many of these species are still unknown to science. When mining occurs, it can destroy their habitats. The machines used for mining create clouds of sediment that spread toxins across vast ocean areas, threatening the delicate ecosystem.4,5
Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Mining
The mining industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, including innovative technologies, effective governance, and community engagement. These steps are important for reducing environmental impacts, conserving resources, and protecting ecosystems while meeting the growing demand for minerals and resources.
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Advancing Water-Efficient Technologies
Emerging technologies are helping to reduce mining’s water footprint. One method is called direct lithium extraction (DLE). This process captures lithium from brine without needing a lot of water, reducing water consumption by as much as 50%. Companies like SQM in Chile plan to cut their brine extraction by half by 2028 using these new techniques.2
Bioremediation offers another promising approach. This method uses microorganisms to clean mining wastewater by breaking down harmful substances such as cyanide and heavy metals. In Vietnam, constructed wetlands combined with microbial treatments successfully removed 80–97% of arsenic and manganese from mining runoff, demonstrating significant environmental benefits.1
Strengthening Governance and Policy
Regulating mining is very important to reduce its negative impact on the environment. The U.S. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 mandates land restoration post-mining. However, there are loopholes that allow harmful acid mine drainage to continue in areas like Appalachia. This leads to the need for ongoing water treatment. In Canada, Alberta has stricter rules that ensure mined land must be returned to a state of higher productivity.3
Internationally, the Minerals Security Partnership, which includes the U.S., Australia, and Canada, encourages responsible mining practices through shared standards and transparency. Meanwhile, nations like Fiji and Vanuatu have imposed moratoriums on deep-sea mining, citing ecological risks and advocating for precautionary policies.2,4
Embracing Circular Economy Principles
Recycling and reusing minerals can reduce reliance on new extraction. Urban mining, which recovers metals from electronic waste, could supply 40% of global copper and nickel demand by 2050. Companies like Redwood Materials are pioneering lithium-ion battery recycling, recovering over 95% of critical minerals like cobalt and nickel.4,5
Alternative technologies also play a role. Sodium-ion batteries, which avoid cobalt and nickel, are gaining traction as a sustainable alternative for energy storage, reducing pressure on mining-dependent supply chains.5
Protecting Vulnerable Ecosystems Through Collaboration
Engaging local communities and Indigenous groups in decision-making is vital. In Panama, Newmont Mining collaborated with the Guna people to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into land-use planning, preserving wetlands and reducing habitat disruption. Similarly, Chile’s Indigenous communities have successfully lobbied for stricter water rights enforcement near lithium operations.1,2
For deep-sea ecosystems, the International Seabed Authority (ISA) is developing regulations for mining in international waters, though critics argue current drafts prioritize industry interests over conservation. Advocacy groups like the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC) urge a global moratorium until ecological impacts are fully understood.4,5
The transition to renewable energy must prioritize the health of aquatic ecosystems. This can be achieved by investing in research and development for eco-friendly extraction and recycling methods.
Strong regulations should hold companies accountable for their water usage and restoring habitats. Increasing transparency, such as through the Global Battery Alliance’s Battery Passport, will help track where minerals come from and assess their sustainability. As the demand for critical minerals rises, governments, industries, and communities must work together. This cooperative effort can ensure that mining promotes economic growth while also protecting the environment.2
References and Further Reading
- Mohamed, A.-M. O. et al. (2025). Critical Minerals Mining: A Path Toward Sustainable Resource Extraction and Aquatic Conservation. Preprints.org. DOI:10.20944/preprints202501.2379.v1. https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202501.2379/v1
- Lakshman, S. (2024). More Critical Minerals Mining Could Strain Water Supplies in Stressed Regions. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/critical-minerals-mining-water-impacts
- Starnes, L. B. et al. Effects of Surface Mining on Aquatic Resources in North America. American Fisheries Society. https://fisheries.org/policy-media/policy-statements/afs-policy-statement-13/
- Deep-Sea Mining: Risks, Impact, and Alternatives. (2025). Oceans Research. https://www.oceans-research.com/deep-sea-mining-threats-alternatives/
- Ashford, O. et al. (2025). What We Know About Deep-Sea Mining — and What We Don’t. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/deep-sea-mining-explained
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