Geoenvironmental Problems of Mineral Resources Development

Abstract

An idea of balanced development of the world, brought forward by the United Nations Organization and supported by 182 countries (Rio-92), implies satisfaction of today’s demands for mineral resources without any damage for future generations. Possible ways to achieve this goal were analyzed during recent years in a number of international projects taking account of political, economic, social and environmental factors. It is obvious that balanced development requires achieving a balance of interests in the system “state (S) - mining companies (MC) - community (C) - habitat (H)”. The first two elements in this system possess the strongest influences, whereas possibilities for cooperation community are considerably limited by the potential of democratic institutions for protest movements. The habitat is, in general, defenseless and passive, but only until critical situations creat a threat to mankind’s existence. Preventive measures for such situations comprise at the present only a small part of natureprotective actions; mankind struggles chiefly with adverse effects already accumulated and current influences upon the environment.