What is one significant environmental concern associated with coal mining?

One significant environmental concern associated with coal mining is improper land rehabilitation. When coal mining operations conclude, the land often suffers from significant disruption and degradation. If the land is not properly rehabilitated, it can lead to problems such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of local water supplies. Efficient land rehabilitation aims to restore the land to its original state or make it suitable for other uses, mitigating the long-term environmental impacts of mining activities. Failure to adequately address rehabilitation can lead to ongoing environmental issues that affect ecosystems and communities long after mining has ceased.