By: Sabrina Cerquera and Thea Crowley
Of all the elements in the Earth’s crust, zinc is the 24th most common. It is number 30 on the periodic table. Zinc is known for its bluish-silver coloring and its common presence in alloys like brass. Although zinc has been used since the third millennium BC, the use of zinc was not widespread until the 1800s. The mineral is now a staple in maintaining health. There is a large amount of people that have a deficiency in zinc, which can severely impact development. Issues like excessive diarrhea, delayed sexual maturation and even mental retardation arrive from deficiency. It is used in products like dandruff shampoo, American pennies, breakfast cereals, and a fire retardant in lumber. It’s wide variety of uses make it a very popular mineral.
Zinc must be extracted from the Earth’s crust through mining. It is mined in many places around the world. There are mining sites in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. The largest extractions come from China, Peru, Australia, and the United States. They produced 4.5 million MT, 1.3 million MT, 850,000 MT, and 780,000 MT respectively (Investing News, “10 Top Zinc Producing Countries” accessed 2/26/2017).
While is seen as a naturally produced mineral, it can be have environmental impacts on the planet through its production when levels of high concentration of zinc are in water. In the process of zinc being mined, big amounts of sulfur dioxide is produced and released. This along with zinc can cause the exposure and development of acid rain which can have a negative ecological effect on bodies of water and vegetation on land. Alongside, zinc in this way can seep in soil that can reach groundwater and contaminate it. While it is known that zinc is natural and utilized by humans, in production it is usually followed by other minerals such as lead, which can be harmful at high volumes. When zinc reaches bodies of water, it usually sinks to the bottom of water and which over time can increase in the toxicity of the water harming biodiversity and organisms living in it.
Red Dog Mines, Alaska
Red Dog Mine, Alaska is home to the second largest reserve of Zinc in the world. The Census-Designated Place (CDP) of Red Dog Mine is named after its main source of income, Red Dog Mine. This mine produces about ten percent of the world’s zinc. But not only is this mine important economically, it is a major point of social connection between the local Inupiat people that own the land and the partnership between NANA Regional Corporation and Teck that run the mining operation. Red Dog has become a source of income for local Native Americans that make up 65.62% of the CDP. Elders accepted the mine to ensure success of their grandchildren, and it has proven to be very effective. Red Dog Mine has led to a major sense of community. According to a video that NANA Regional released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Red Dog Mine, “the mine is a family for many employees and a good regional neighbor, helping out in times of crisis, supporting regional economic growth and contributing to important social and cultural programs” (YouTube, “Red Dog Mine- 25 Years,” accessed 2/26/2017). This community is built on the extraction of zinc. The extraction which can cause major issues with toxic waste, has become a major part of life for these people.
The NANA Regional Corporation has not only brought in mining jobs, but it also offers training to its employees. This has increased their skills and employability in other areas besides Red Dog Mine. Not only does Red Dog Mine promote technical training in their workers, there has been a surge in the quality of education in the Red Dog Mine area. The Inupiat people have experienced growth in the infrastructure of schools in the area. This is because the taxes on Red Dog Mine put money back into the local school system. So in this sense, the mining of zinc has lead to both an economic and educational advancement for the Inupiat and the NANA Regional Corporation.
There were many stipulations that went into allowing Red Dog Mine to develop on the Inupiat land. One of these stipulations dealt with the Inupiat hunting process. The survival of Inupiat people is very much connected to the land and the harvesting of elk and other creatures for nourishment. The area surrounding the mines is used for hunting in the spring and fall. When NANA Regional and Teck developed a contract with the Inupiat people in 1982, they developed a special Subsistence Committee. This committee is dedicated to making sure that the Inupiats have access to all of the resources they need to survive. This is especially tied to their hunting seasons. This committee makes sure that there is no interference by Red Dog Mine, during the Inupiat hunting times. Zinc has brought these two groups together in a way not only fueled by money, but also a seemingly genuine care for Inupiat culture.
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Located in New South Wales, Australia, Broken Hill is known as a mine city that serves as the richest and largest zinc-lead ore deposit in the world. Australia produces 1,290,00 tonnes of the world production of zinc; Broken Hill mine has reserves amounting to 20.9 million tonnes of ore grading 9.4% zinc, 7.4% lead, and 61.5 million oz of silver (Wikipedia, Broken Hill mine, accessed on 02/26/2017).
The discovery of the Broken Hill ore mine in 1883 allowed for a boost in the economy, which became historical for Australia’s history. Getting it’s name from the pastors that grazed the land, Land of Lode, carries a deep connection to the individuals that live in the area. Showing the importance of an economic factor as it brought in economical development and employment for the residents of Broken Hill. Still after 125 years of production, the Broken Hill mine produces over $400 million a year, generating for almost half of the city’s gross regional product. Under the companies, Perilya and CBH Resources, they have been able to employ approximately 500 locals in mining operations. Embracing this into their heritage they have created a visiting center and developed it to be a tourist attraction to visit. Through the revenue generated by this ore, they were able to dedicate money into the arts and later establish the Broken Hill’s first hospital. Along with the historical importance, Broken Hill carries the popularity of being seen as an intriguing town to visit after movies like Mad Max 2. (Travel In, Broken Hill, accessed on 02/26/2017)
Natives of South Wales take pride in their development over the years and have dedicated a monument to the seven men who found the ore back in 1883. These men stand as the pioneers that transformed Australia from an agricultural to an industrial nation. At the discover of the mine, mine workers exposes themselves to dangerous working conditions which put their health at risk. In the honor of all the workers that lost their lives working there, the city has created a memorial called ‘Line of Lode’ which serves as a commemoration for the current and past town workers— “The building itself is a metaphor for the underground lives of the miners, evoking the damp, claustrophobic underground environment and audio-visuals of miners at work”. (Destination NSW, Line of Lode- Broken Hill, accessed on 02/26/2017).
Recently in 2015, the community of Broken Hill has been worried about their city’s economy and how it will go down due to losses in mining jobs. This is due to restrictions by Perilya to lower the cost of mineral production. However, the community is working to come together to keep its economy flourishing. “The Mayor said it showed the need for Broken Hill City Council and local businesses to work towards diversifying the economy away from mining and towards more sustainable industries such as tourism”, the city is working together to minimize the economic and social impact it can have on the city after so many years of development. (ABC Net, Mayor warns of economic and social impact of Broken Hill mining job losses, accessed on 02/26/2017)
Land of Lode in Broken Hill carries a special place for those that live there and have seen it progress over the years through historical, social, and economic factors. While the city was developed on the economy of zinc, it is devastating to see how the zinc-lead deposit can outgrown the community that fostered it leading to financial hardships.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the production of zinc, it is important to acknowledge the ability that the discovery of the mineral in its given locations has allowed for economic, historical, and social development amongst their communities. To most zinc is just something added to cereal or shampoo, but to the people living amongst zinc mines it has become a livelihood. There are many different aspects that go into the production of zinc. All of which are important in sculpting our idea of place when it comes to situating minerals.
In areas like Red Dog Mine and Broken Hill, people have received large benefits in infrastructure and in their economies. These mines are a deeply ingrained part of the culture in these areas and has sculpted these communities. In the case of the Red Dog Mine, it is interesting to see how two major actors from very different backgrounds have learned to work together in a mutually beneficial way. These actors being the NANA Regional Corporation and the Inupiat people. Their connection the zinc has developed into a working relationship. While Broken Hill is now looking to diversify their sources of income, it would have been nothing without the original discovery of Zinc and then continued production.
People not from these regions can easily recognize the environmental impacts of zinc mining. Toxic waste and the release of extra sulfuric oxide into the air seem can seem like deal breakers. But in the communities that have economies based in the production of zinc, people can have a different perspective on the negative aspects of mining. This is because their livelihoods are rooted in this production, therefore some negatives are dimmed by the major benefits to their lives. So as a person consuming zinc, it is important to think about how zinc is so intricately wound into the lives of those living near production sites.
Resources
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