Identify two potential improvements to the opal extraction process and explain how these improvements could minimize harm to the environment.

Answer

• Improving the environmental performances

• Developing Green Mining technology

Explanation

The effect to the environment caused by opal mining are; impact on soils and geology, clearing of native vegetation disrupting flora and fauna, change in land use and effects of air quality.

Opal mining is currently examining environmental impacts and adopting measures that mitigate the impacts making the process less destructive to the environment.

With the current commitment to sustainability, opal companies are investing funds for Green Mining as a positive way to impact the environment before and after mining.