Technological Role in the Development of Arsenic Contaminants in Minerals and Its Purification: Evidence from Industrial Organisations in Malaysia

Abstract

Arsenic is a naturally occurring metalloid that is commonly presented in sulfide minerals arsenopyrite, pyrite and galena. Despite the contribution of natural geological processes to background arsenic concentrations within the ecosystems, the level of technological and industrial activities causes the significant increase of arsenic mobilization to the soil, water, and to the atmosphere systems. The growth of mining activities, technologies of mineral extraction, and industry production have increased the debate on the issue of arsenic contamination and its impacts on the environment in the long run. It is thus necessary to know the technological factors that cause arsenic contamination as well as the purification processes that consume arsenic and so reduce its effects to be a sustainable environmental management.

The processes applied in the extraction of minerals and the industry involve the use of technology that contributes significantly to the dispersion of arsenic. The mining procedures like open-pit and underground mining subject the minerals that contain arsenic to oxygen and water, which enhance oxidation reactions that liberate arsenic to the environment around them. Other technologies such as mineral processing such as crushing, grinding, flotation, roasting and smelting phenomena enhance further mobility of arsenic through emissions, tailings disposal and chemical transformation processes. Arsenic is also contaminated through industrial processes like burning of coal, smelting and inappropriate waste disposal.

This paper examines the influence of technology in arsenic pollution, and also explores the mediating effect of the purifying ability of arsenic in obtaining sustainable results in the management of arsenic. The quantitative research design was applied based on the survey-related data gathered on 200 employees working in the mining and mineral processing sector as well as the industrial organisations in Selangor, Malaysia. The statistical tests were performed with the help of SPSS and the PROCESS macro by Hayes, with descriptive statistics, reliability test, correlation test, multiple regression test, and mediation test.

The results demonstrate that arsenic is a mineral type, mining methods, processing technology, industrial operations, and strategic management that have a large contribution to the sustainability of the arsenic management. The purification ability of arsenic is an important mediator variable between technological variables and sustainability effects, indicating that the purification technologies are highly important in terms of minimizing the risk of contamination. The paper adds value to the body of environmental management literature by proving that technological innovation and industrial governance and purification systems play a significant role in reducing the arsenic pollution and enhancing sustainable management of the environment.