Question

How do mining companies protect the environment?

Answer 1

Answer:

Most mining companies protect the environment to the extent of what is spelled out in their mining permit, as issued by whatever government and country they are working in.

Explanation:

In most developed world countries, mining companies have to go through an extensive environmental review process, prior to getting a permit to open a mine (at least this is the case now, wasn't always so). Once a government issues a mining permit, the company must comply with whatever water, air, and land issues that have been identified in the original environmental assessment.

However, in the 1800 and 1900s, there was very little in the way of environmental laws and companies did pretty much whatever they wanted to get the minerals extracted. This has left a number of abandoned mines across North America that have never been cleaned up - so called "legacy mines".