Environmental impact assessment of Forumad Chromite Mine in Sabzevar

Mines extraction through contaminants that enter water, soil and air can cause huge environmental disasters and even endanger human health. Environmental impacts assessment is a viable solution to overcoming environmental challenges to achieve sustainable development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental effects of Forumad chromite mine in Sabzevar. This research was a survey and the research method is descriptive-analytical mathematical model type which has been done in two quantitative and qualitative stages. For this purpose, all factors and components affecting the environment, including atmosphere, contains air quality and sound comfort; Biosphere contains ecology; The hydrosphere, including surface and groundwater and lithosphere, which contains land use, surface facilities, underground facilities, landscape of region and the soil of the region, was examined and scored by experts. Mineral environmental effects were evaluated and finally, by using the mathematical model of Phillips, the indicators of sustainable development of the mine in environmental components were quantified and analyzed. As respect that the value obtained for environmental components is greater than zero, the project has been evaluated as environmentally sustainable. However, the results of the environmental components indicate that the mine will damage the air quality, groundwater and soil of the region.