Sustainable Resources (AQA A Level Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Robin Martin-Jenkins
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Developing Sustainable Resources
Sustainable resource development
Global resource use has been increasing steadily along with population growth and rising affluence
Resource sustainability is about ensuring future generations have access to key resources
It also includes managing the impact on the areas and environments from which resources are being extracted
Sustainable resource development should take into account:
Social impacts - for e.g. making sure communities local to the development benefit from improved schooling, healthcare and infrastructure
Economic impacts - for e.g.ensuring some of the profits are fed back into the local economy
Environmental impacts - for e.g. limiting damage to local ecosystems and habitats
Rio Tinto’s Rossing uranium mine in Namibia is an example of a large TNC attempting to extract a resource in a sustainable way
One of the largest uranium mines in the world
Open pit mine 400 metres deep and covering an area of 4.5km²
Located in the ecologically sensitive Namib desert
Vast amounts of water required for processing
The danger of radioactive dust and contamination
Sustainable Features of Rossing Uranium Mine
Social | Economic | Environmental |
|---|---|---|
Worker safety prioritised Regular medical checks for staff Parent company, Rio Tinto, has built a new town, Arandis, for employees and families, including modern housing, hospital, school, shops and other leisure facilities | 97% of employees are local Namibians Contributes strongly to Namibian economy and supporting local businesses through the Rossing Foundation Supports black economic empowerment initiatives | Monthly checks of the area for radioactive contamination Constant readings were taken to monitor and treat leachates, radiation, gas, dust and fume levels of the surrounding area and groundwater 70% of all water used in processing is recycled |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
A question might ask you to assess the sustainability of resource extraction. Try and use an example such as the Rossing mine to weigh up both the negative impacts of the extraction and the positive attempts at helping the local community and environment
Environmental Impact Assessment
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a survey of the potential impacts of a project on the environment
EIAs aim to put environmental considerations on the same level as economic ones
All major resource extraction projects have EIAs carried out by independent contractors before the start of the project
Examiner Tips and Tricks
If you are asked about EIAs, you may need to outline how they work, but also make sure you can explain how an EIA helps a project to be as sustainable as possible. It does this by making sure that it is not just the economic viability of a project that is considered, but also protection of the environment
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