Q1) How are natural resources exploited? Explain with reference to industrial mining activities.
Please find below the solution to the asked query
Natural resources may be defined as the resources available for human use which occur naturally in the nature. For example; coal, petroleum etc are natural resources. These are materials and components that can be found within the environment and are mandatory for the survival of living beings.
Exploitation of natural resources means use of these resources or their over-use (in negative sense). e.g. coal serves as a fuel in industries and hence is very important. It can be used to generate electricity. Liquid coal is mainly used to power ships. There are several advantages of exploiting resources like- provides immediate to solution to human needs by giving no.of products. But over-exploitation of these can cause pollution, depletion of resources etc.
E.g. Mines are natural resources. Exploitation of mines or Mining activities (extraction of minerals from the earth) cause of deforestation where forests are cleared and huge pits dug to extract the mineral resources. This causes soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil and water by chemicals from mining processes. A huge volume of earth is excavated and displaced causing silting.
Hope this information will clear your doubts about the topic.