In the UK there is a need for more housing, and something that many people question is why land that has been previously used for other things can be used to build homes on.
One of the things that the UK used to have a lot of is of course mines, however land that has formerly been used for mining, or is in an area near a former mine comes with its own problems.
Minerals being extracted from the land, such as coal or tin for example can lead to pollution in the surrounding area, and this needs to be dealt with correctly by a professional like this soil remediation company Soilfix before this land is safe to be built on for housing.
When water from rain contacts the waste from a mine it can then cause heavy metal poisoning to occur and things like lead and zinc then get into the soil causing it to become contaminated, especially when the waste was not properly stored.
There are many former mining areas in the UK that need to be cleared up and it is not only the land that suffers the consequences. The heavy metals from the mining process can also get into watercourses, particularly if the area floods, which is a risk to all aquatic life.
Being able to clean up these areas for housing would not only be a great way to provide more homes but also a good way to get the environment cleaned up and reduce the pollution caused by these former mining sites.