Question

how mineral processing causes soil degradation?​

Answer 1

The environmental impact of mining can occur at local, regional, and global scales through direct and indirect processes, leading to erosion, sinkholes, biodiversity loss, and the contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water by chemicals from mining processes.

Answer 2

Mineral processing like cement manufacturing generates heavy amount of dust and releases it in the atmosphere. It later on settles down, polluting  water and affecting crops.