![Environmental impact of mining in the rainforest](/e69yszg/29.jpg)
Environmental impact of mining in the rainforest
Mining exposes previously buried metal sulfides to atmospheric oxygen causing their conversion to strong sulfuric acid and metal oxides, which run off into local waterways. Oxides tend to more soluble in water and contaminate local rivers with heavy metals. Cyanide, a highly toxic compound, is also often used to separate gold from sediment and ...