Environmental analysis of coal mining using Bradley–Terry model

What is it about?

Environmental contamination and corresponding adverse health impact have turn into genuine anxiety to the entire world today. Analysts and professionals are consistently formulating policies to reduce environmental pollution and enhance the natural ecological state. Similarly, this study has developed a framework to inspect the adverse environmental impact of coal mining using the Bradley-Terry model. Hence, twenty-three critical parameters related to coal mining have been considered covering air, water, land & soil, and noise through the review of literature and experts' opinions. The framework categorizes the parameters according to the level of threat they pose to the environment using attitudinal data collected through a survey of experts from industry and academics. It is found that coal mining has a relatively higher impact on four attributes of “air pollution” (SPM, RPM, Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen), followed by “land and soil pollution” (Deforestation, Surface Structure Diversion), “noise pollution” (Vehicles Movement) and “water pollution” (Water Hardness, Total Solids (TSS/TDS), Iron Content). It is also found that raising the air concentration of SPM and RPM results in increased respiratory and cardiopulmonary mortality. Therefore, reducing dust concentrations into the air generated during coal mining is recommended to reduce air pollution caused by coal mining, which will reduce contamination of waters and land & soil. Categorizing the parameters according to the level of threat they pose to the environment due to coal mining can help the decision-maker develop an effective policy to reduce environmental pollution due to coal mining by considering the parameters on a priority basis. The results further help the decision-makers to assess the environmental impact of coal mining and take necessary action. However, the model built in this study is a hypothesized model that relied on the experts' opinions. Therefore, the study findings might differ in real circumstances. The research can further be reproduced by considering the parameters related to the use of coal and its consequences, considering the opinions of the local people, coal mining personnel, policy authorities.

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