Abstract
Approximately two billion tonnes of metal are consumed each year worldwide. Per day, this corresponds to 500 Eiffel Towers. The geological mutilation, resulting from this cycle of mines that are born, live and, once depleted, die, leaves gigantic scars on the Earth’s crust. Who is dealing with them and how? How effectively? And, above all, what is the impact on our societies? By affecting the soil, air and water, mines alter the ecosystems themselves, and thus, in turn, human habitats and health.