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Grasberg Mine - Indonesia

auteur: Nasa/Novapix

référence: t-aspap-00001

Image Size 300 DPI: 25 * 17 cm

Located in the Sudirman Mountains of the Irian Jaya province of Indonesia, the Grasberg complex (also known as the Freeport Mine) is one of the largest gold and copper mining operations in the world. This astronaut photograph illustrates the approximately 4-kilometer-wide open-pit portion of the mine complex; there are also extensive underground mine workings. Access roads for trucks hauling ore and waste rock are visible along the sides of the pit. The mine is located in close proximity to rare equatorial mountain glaciers that serve as indicators of climate change in the region. Removal of vegetation, steepening of slopes related to mining activities, earthquakes, and frequent heavy rainfall have resulted in deadly landslides in the mine workings. While landscape reclamation projects have begun at the mine, environmental groups and local citizens are concerned with the potential for copper contamination and acid rock drainage into surrounding river systems, land surfaces, and groundwater. Astronaut photograph was acquired on june 25 2005 from the International Space Station (ISS).

Keywords for this photo:

2005 - COPPER - EARTH - EARTH FROM SPACE - EXPEDITION 11 - GLACIER - GOLD - INDONESIA - ISS - MINE - MOUNTAIN -