Tag: Mining impacts

Over 80% of mined phosphorus is used for manufacturing synthetic fertilizer, making its source a critical issue for global food security. The primary origin is phosphate rock, but with concerns over limited reserves and environmental damage, alternative sources like recycled waste are gaining importance.

Despite appearing permanent, minerals are finite resources, and their slow but constant destruction is a fundamental geological process. Over eons, weathering, erosion, and chemical alteration work to break down and transform minerals and the rocks they compose, a natural cycle often accelerated by human intervention.

According to the World Health Organization, excessive mineral intake from supplements can lead to serious health problems, including metabolic imbalances and organ damage. The disadvantages of minerals span beyond dietary concerns, encompassing significant environmental and socio-economic consequences related to their extraction and processing.