The students are able to name the different phases (exploration, mining, processing, etc.) of raw material extraction. They can assign environmental influences to the respective phases and describe them. In this context, they can present possible methods and strategies for minimizing and remediating the environmental impact and compare the individual options. With this knowledge, they are able to point out the advantages and disadvantages of the individual procedures and strategies and, based on this, to derive and justify selection criteria. The same applies to the selection and design of rehabilitation options, which the students can present and weigh against each other. For all phases of raw material extraction, there are legal bases at German and European level, which the students can name and whose relevance they can recognize.

The extraction of raw materials, especially in developing and emerging countries, is always caught between environmental pollution and social and economic benefits. Also, consumers are faced with the ethical question of how they themselves can contribute to minimizing the environmental and social impact of mining. The students are able to classify, discuss and evaluate various viewpoints and alternatives in this context.

Appelo, C. A. J., Postma, D. 2005. Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. 2. Auflage. Balkema Verlag.

Brown, M., Barley, B., Wood, H. 2002. Mine Water Treatment: technology, application and policy. IWA publishing

Craig, J., Vaughan, D.J., Skinner, B.J. 2010. Earth Resources and the Environment. 4. Auflage. Prentice Hall Verlag.

Johnson, D.B., Hallberg, K.B. 2005. Acid mine drainage remediation: a review. Science of Total Environment 338, 3-14.

Kesler, S.E. & Simon, A.C. 2015. Mineral Resources, Economics and the Environment. Cambrigde University Press, Cambridge, 434 pp.

Lottermoser, B.G. 2003. Mine wastes. Springer Verlag

Pohl, W.L. 2005. Mineralische und Energie-Rohstoffe: eine Einführung zur Entstehung und nachhaltigen Nutzung von Lagerstätten. W&WE Petrascheck´s Lagerstättenlehre. 5. Auflage

Wall, F., Rollat, A., Pell, R.S., 2017. Responsible Sourcing of Critical Metals. Elements 13, 131-318.