Africa's ecosystems imperilled by mining frenzy

Mining projects can have both direct and indirect impacts on the environment. The direct effects are generally limited to the immediate vicinity of the project itself, and can include intense impacts on land, wildlife habitats and aquatic environments from mines, tailing dumps, roads, pollution and an influx of mining workers and migrants.
http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2449005/africas_ecosystems_imperilled_by_mining_frenzy.html