Heavy metal pollution in soils affected by copper mining and geospatial analysis in the Ophiolite belt of Pakistan

Key Points

• Heavy metal pollution significantly affects soil quality in regions impacted by copper mining, leading to adverse environmental consequences.
• The analysis uncovered elevated levels of heavy metals, including copper and lead, in contaminated soils across the Ophiolite belt.
• Geospatial analysis techniques mapped heavy metal distribution, revealing key hotspots that are most affected by mining activities.
• The findings highlight the need for targeted environmental policies to address soil contamination in mining areas.