Since 1988 environmentalists, governments,
and other interested parties have been growing weary of the increasing rate of
destruction of coral reefs. All around the world, coral reefs are dying. As of 2008,
it is estimated that about 19% of the of the world’s coral reefs had already
been lost. By 2030, up to 80% of the world’s coral reefs will be at risk solely
due to human related activities. To many, the biggest concern is human related
activities that are a direct threat to coral reefs. Mining activities can
damage coral reefs if not done carefully.
Coral mining is becoming a threat to coral
reefs due to the huge demand for coral that is used for decorating buildings.
In Islands such as Maldives coral is the only building material available.
Also, coral is 50% cheaper than conventional building material such as cement
and bricks. Its availability, price, and beauty make coral a perfect building
material, as such there has been increasing demand for coral all over the
world. Many industries and individuals are now actively involved in the mining
of coral.
It is, however, important to note that
coral stone is different from coral. Coral mining is the process of actively
removing live coral directly from the sea. The process is very destructive to
the sea and is sometimes carried out by dangerous machines such as dredgers
that expedite the pilferage of coral reefs. Many people tend to mistake mining
of coral stones with coral mining. The assumption is that coral stone is also
gotten directly from the sea and as such is a direct threat to coral reefs.
Coral stone is formed from fossils of sea
organisms such as calcareous algae, corals from which it gets its name and
other organisms with a calcium carbonate base. The substance is formed from
fossils that were in the sea thousands or even up to millions of years ago.
Quarries where the coral stone is mined from, are outside the sea and as such
do not present any risk whatsoever to coral reefs.
In contrast to the mining of coral reefs,
the process of coral stone mining does not involve coral reefs in any way.
Coral stone is first mined from the quarry and cut into blocks that are then
transported to be used on various building sites. Moreover, the process is not
as intense as the mining of coral reefs and thus is economically beneficial.
However mining of any material especially
using the open cast method does affect the environment. It is sometimes very
intensive and involves digging deep into the earth. Miners thus make it a point
to ‘re-furbish’ these areas by growing trees by the national and international
requirements of green foresting.
Coral stones have been used for a very long
time. In the Americas, for instance, it was utilized by both villagers to make
lasting huts and houses and by the Spanish in making hospitals and churches
that stand to this day. In addition to durability, the coral stone is also very
brightly colored in various shades making it an excellent material for
beautifying your building.
