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Mining and Its Impact on the Environment Essay

Introduction, effects of mining on the environment, copper mining, reference list.

Mining is an economic activity capable of supporting the developmental goals of countries and societies. It also ensures that different metals, petroleum, and coal are available to different consumers or companies. Unfortunately, this practice entails excavation or substantial interference of the natural environment. The negative impacts of mining can be recorded at the global, regional, and local levels. A proper understanding of such implications can make it possible for policymakers and corporations to implement appropriate measures. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss the effects of mining on the environment.

Ways Mining Impact on the Environment

Miners use different methods to extract various compounds depending on where they are found. The first common procedure is open cast, whereby people scrap away rocks and other materials on the earth’s surface to expose the targeted products. The second method is underground mining, and it allows workers to get deeper materials and deposits. Both procedures are subdivided further depending on the nature of the targeted minerals and the available resources (Minerals Council of Australia 2019). Despite their striking differences in procedures, the common denominator is that they both tend to have negative impacts on the natural environment.

Firstly, surface mining usually requires that machines and individuals clear forests and vegetation cover. This means that the integrity of the natural land will be obliterated within a short period. Permanent scars will always be left due to this kind of mining. Secondly, the affected land will be exposed to the problem of soil erosion because the topmost soil is loosened. This problem results in flooding, contamination of the following water in rivers, and sedimentation of dams. Thirdly, any form of mining is capable of causing both noise and air pollution (Minerals Council of Australia 2019). The use of heavy machines and blasts explains why this is the case.

Fourthly, other forms of mining result in increased volumes of rocks and soil that are brought to the earth’s surface. Some of them tend to be toxic and capable of polluting water and air. Fifthly, underground mines tend to result in subsidence after collapsing. This means that forests and other materials covering the earth’s surface will be affected. Sixthly, different firms of mining are known to reduce the natural water table. For example, around 500,000,000 cubic meters of water tend to be pumped out of underground mines in Germany annually (Mensah et al., 2015). This is also the same case in other countries across the globe. Seventhly, different mining activities have been observed to produce dangerous greenhouse gases that continue to trigger new problems, including climate change and global warming.

Remediating Mine Sites

The problem of mining by the fact that many people or companies will tend to abandon their sites after the existing minerals are depleted. This malpractice is usually common since it is costly to clean up such areas and minimize their negative impacts on the natural environment. The first strategy for remediating mine sites is that of reclamation. This method entails the removal of both environmental and physical hazards in the region (Motoori, McLellan & Tezuka 2018). This will then be followed by planting diverse plant species. The second approach is the installation of soil cover. When pursuing this method, participants and companies should mimic the original natural setting and consider the drainage patterns. They can also consider the possible or expected land reuse choices.

The third remediation strategy for mine sites entails the use of treatment systems. This method is essential when the identified area is contaminated with metals and acidic materials that pose significant health risks to human beings and aquatic life (Mensah et al., 2015). Those involved can consider the need to construct dams and contain such water. Finally, mining companies can implement powerful cleanup processes and reuse or restore the affected sites. The ultimate objective is to ensure that every ugly site is improved and designed in such a way that it reduces its potential implications on the natural environment. From this analysis, it is evident that the nature of the mining method, the topography of the site, and the anticipated future uses of the region can inform the most appropriate remediation approach. Additionally, the selected method should address the negative impacts on the environment and promote sustainability.

Lessening Impact

Mining is a common practice that continues to meet the demands of the current global economy. With its negative implications, companies and other key stakeholders can identify various initiatives that will minimize every anticipated negative impact. Motoori, McLellan, and Tezuka (2018) encourage mining corporations to diversify their models and consider the importance of recycling existing materials or metals. This approach is sustainable and capable of reducing the dangers of mining. Governments can also formulate and implement powerful policies that compel different companies to engage in desirable practices, minimize pollution, and reduce noise pollution. Such guidelines will make sure that every company remains responsible for remediating their sites. Mensah et al. 2015) also support the introduction of laws that compel organizations to conduct environmental impact assessment analyses before starting their activities. This model will encourage them to identify regions or sites that will have minimal effects on the surrounding population or aquatic life. The concept of green mining has emerged as a powerful technology that is capable of lessening the negative implications of mining. This means that all activities will be sustainable and eventually meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders, including community members. Finally, new laws are essential to compelling companies to shut down and reclaim sites that are no longer in use.

Extraction from the Ore Body

Copper mining is a complex process since it is found in more stable forms, such as oxide and sulfide ores. These elements are obtained after the overburden has been removed. Corporations complete a 3-step process or procedure before obtaining pure copper. This is usually called ore concentration, and it follows these stages: froth flotation, roasting, and leaching (Sikamo, Mwanza & Mweemba 201). During froth flotation, sulfide ores are crushed to form small particles and then mixed with large quantities of water. Ionic collectors are introduced to ensure that CuS becomes hydrophobic in nature. The introduction of frothing agent results in the agitation and aeration of the slurry (Sikamo, Mwanza & Mweemba 2016). This means that the ore containing copper will float to the surface. All tailings will sink to the bottom of the solution. The refined material can then be skimmed and removed.

The next stage is that of roasting, whereby the collected copper is baked. The purpose of this activity is to minimize the quantities of sulfur. Such a procedure results in sulfur dioxide, As, and Sb (Yaras & Arslanoglu 2017). This leaves a fine mixture of copper and other impurities. The next phase of the ore concentration method is that of leaching. Different Compounds are used to solubilize the compound, such as H2SO4 and HCI. The leachate will then be deposited at the bottom and purified.

Smelting is the second stage that experts use to remove copper from its original ore. This approach produces iron and copper sulfides. Exothermic processes are completed to remove SiO2 and FeSiO3 slag (Yaras & Arslanoglu 2017). According to this equation, oxygen is introduced to produce pure copper and sulfur dioxide:

CuO + CuS = Cu(s) + SO2

The final phase is called refinement. The collected Cu is used as anodes and cathodes, whereby they are immersed in H2SO4 and CuSO4. During this process, copper will be deposited on the cathode while the anode will dissolve in the compound. All impurities will settle at the bottom (Sikamo, Mwanza & Mweemba 2016). From this analysis, it is notable that a simple process is considered to collect pure copper from its ore body.

How Copper Mining Impacts the Environment

Copper mining is a complex procedure that requires the completion of several steps if a pure metallic compound is to be obtained. This means that it is capable of presenting complicated impacts on the natural environment. Copper mining can take different forms depending on the location of the identified ores and the policies put in place in the selected country (Yaras & Arslanoglu 2017). Nonetheless, the entire process will have detrimental effects on the surrounding environment. Due to the intensity of operations and involvement of heavy machinery, this process results in land degradation. The affected regions will have huge mine sites that disorient the original integrity of the environment.

Since copper is one of the most valuable metals in the world today due to its key uses, many companies continue to mine it in different countries. This practice has triggered the predicament of deforestation (Sikamo, Mwanza & Mweemba 2016). Additionally, rainwater collects in abandoned mine sites or existing ones, thereby leaking into nearby rivers, boreholes, or aquifers. This means that more people are at risk of being poisoned by this compound.

Air pollution is another common problem that individuals living near copper mines report frequently. This challenge is attributable to the use of heavy blasting materials and machinery. The dust usually contains hazardous chemicals that have negative health impacts on communities and animals. Some of the common ailments observed in most of the affected regions include asthma, silicosis, and tuberculosis (Mensah et al., 2015). This challenge arises from the toxic nature of high levels of copper. These problems explain why companies and stakeholders in the mining industry should implement superior appropriate measures and strategies to overcome them. Such a practice will ensure that they meet the needs of the affected individuals and make it easier for them to pursue their aims.

Copper processing can have significant negative implications on the integrity of the environment. For instance, the procedure is capable of producing tailings and overburden that have the potential to contaminate different surroundings. According to Mensah et al. (2015), some residual copper is left in the environment since around 85 percent of the compound is obtained through the refining process. This means that it will pose health problems to people and aquatic life. Other metals are present in the produced tailings, such as iron and molybdenum. During the separation process, hazardous chemicals and gases will be released, such as sulfur dioxide. This is a hazardous compound that is capable of resulting in acidic rain, thereby increasing the chances of environmental degradation.

There are several examples that explain why copper is capable of causing negative impacts on the natural environment. For example, Queenstown in Tasmania has been recording large volumes of acidic rain (Mensah et al., 2015). This is also the same case for El Teniente Mine in Chile. Recycling and reusing copper can be an evidence-based approach for minimizing these consequences and maintaining the integrity of the environment.

Farmlands that are polluted with this metal compound will have far-reaching impacts on both animals and human beings. This is the case since the absorption of copper in the body can have detrimental health outcomes. This form of poisoning can disorient the normal functions of body organs and put the individual at risk of various conditions. People living in areas that are known to produce copper continue to face these negative impacts (Yaras & Arslanoglu 2017). Such challenges explain why a superior model is needed to overcome this problem and ensure that more people lead high-quality lives and eventually achieve their potential.

The above discussion has identified mining as a major economic activity that supports the performance and integrity of many factories, countries, and companies. However, this practice continues to affect the natural environment and making it incapable of supporting future populations. Mining activities result in deforestation, land obliteration, air pollution, acidic rain, and health hazards. The separation of copper from its parent ore is a procedure that has been observed to result in numerous negative impacts on the environment and human beings. These insights should, therefore, become powerful ideas for encouraging governments and policymakers to implement superior guidelines that will ensure that miners minimize these negativities by remediating sites.

Mensah, AK, Mahiri, IO, Owusu, O, Mireku, OD, Wireko, I & Kissi, EA 2015, ‘Environmental impacts of mining: a study of mining communities in Ghana’, Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 81-94.

Minerals Council of Australia 2019, Australian minerals , Web.

Motoori, R, McLellan, BC & Tezuka, T 2018, ‘Environmental implications of resource security strategies for critical minerals: a case study of copper in Japan’, Minerals, vol. 8, no. 12, pp. 558-586.

Sikamo, J, Mwanza, A & Mweemba, C 2016, ‘Copper mining in Zambia – history and future’, The Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, vol. 116, no. 1, pp. 491-496.

Yaras, A & Arslanoglu, H 2017, ‘Leaching behaviour of low-grade copper ore in the presence of organic acid’, Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 319-327.

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33 Causes, Effects & Solutions for Mining

“ Mining is like a search-and-destroy mission”

Stewart Udall

Mining: Causes, Effects & Solutions

Mining can be defined as the extraction of minerals or other geological materials from our earth.

In the mining process, several resources can be recovered, including coal, metals, limestone, potash, clay and much more.

Mining is done with the goal to obtain materials which cannot be obtained at the surface and can also not be created artificially in an economically-senseful way.

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The types, causes, effects of mining and solutions to the problem are presented below.

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Types of mining, surface mines, underground mines, in-situ mining, placer mining.

Surface mines are often used for the recovery of less valuable resources which are located near the surface.

Underground mines are usually more expensive and are often used to recover more valuable resources that are located deeper inside the ground.

In-situ mining is used to obtain uranium.

Along with the uranium, additional elements like selenium, arsenic or lead are also extracted.

Placer mining is usually done in river beds or on beaches with the goal of separating precious metals out of the sand.

Causes for Mining

Population growth, income growth, increasing demand for resources, single source of income, advancements in technology, importance for industrial processes, lack in substitutability, economic factor for countries, increase in resource prices.

One cause of mining is population growth .

With an increasing population, the overall world consumption levels also increase.

This means that in order to be able to provide enough goods for the world population, resources have to be extracted at large scale.

One great possibility to extract these resources is mining.

There are several different kinds of mines, including coal, iron and also diamond mines.

Since our demand for all these goods increases at a steady rate, we have to increase our mining activities in order to provide these goods to our population.

No generation had an overall global income that is higher than we have it today.

Through the industrial revolution, we are able to produce large numbers of goods which have a quite low unit price.

Especially in the Western world, almost everybody has at least one car.

Almost everybody goes on vacation several times a year.

However, this lifestyle is not sustainable in the long run since we will run out of resources in the long run.

Therefore, income growth and an overall high world income level also lead to more mining since industries want to meet the worldwide demand for goods.

Not only the overall world consumption level is increasing, also on an individual level, consumption behaviors increases.

This is especially true in developing countries.

Many people now aspire to a similar consumption-extensive lifestyle as we do in the Western world.

However, this also means that the resource demand of many people also increases accordingly.

This consumption behavior leads to more mining since in order to meet the demand, industries have to extract more resources out of our earth.

For many people, mining is the only source of income they can generate.

Hence, this means that people rely on their mining jobs in order to survive.

In many developing countries, mining is done by accepting severe health threats.

For example, there are African gold mines in which gold is separated with the help of mercury.

Workers often do this process by using their hands without any protection.

This behavior usually leads to contamination of these people which eventually leads to death.

This example shows how dependent certain people are on the mining industry.

They risk their life since this is the only way for them to create enough income.

Technological progress is also positively correlated with more mining.

With our nowadays technology, it is easier and more profitable to extract resources out of the ground compared to past centuries where mining was much more difficult since there were no machines and workers had to work quite hard in order to be able to extract resources.

Therefore, advancements in technology also contribute to an increase in mining activities.

Many resources extracted in mining processes are quite important for industrial purposes.

Industries urgently need metals, oil and other resources to produce goods for our daily life in order to meet the demand of people.

You can find small amounts of gold in many electronic devices, including your computer.

In our technological world, we rely on a sufficient supply of metals.

Thus, since we need many different resources to be able to live our current lifestyle, we also need mining on a large scale.

As already mentioned, we need metals and other resources for many different purposes and products in our daily life.

Moreover, there is a lack of substitutability for these resources, meaning that metals like gold cannot be replaced in an efficient manner by other resources.

A lack of substitutability therefore means that mining activities are essential and will also be crucial in the future in order to supply enough resources to meet the demand.

Natural resources are a great economic factor for many countries.

Especially for poor developing countries, the extraction of natural resources often is the biggest source of income.

This means, in order to be able to supply enough basic goods for locals, these countries have to extract large amounts of resources out of the ground.

However, in many cases, people who work in the mines are just paid quite a low wage while mine owners usually make big profits.

Mine owners often exploit the local workers since they know that the workers do not have an alternative and have to accept the bad working conditions.

This means that mining contributes to an increase in wealth for some, but not for many.

However, since mining is an important source of income for countries and mine owners, it is still quite practical to sustain or even increase mining activities.

The worldwide prices for precious metals like gold and many other resources have increased significantly over the last decades.

This makes it even more profitable to extract resources out of the ground since these resources can be sold for higher prices on the world market.

Effects of Mining

Hearing issues, heavy metal contamination, lung diseases, biodiversity loss, water pollution, air pollution, soil pollution, effects on animals, effects on plants, effects on aquatic life, effects through the food chain, deforestation, global warming, destruction of vegetation cover.

Mining is a dangerous craft.

Many miners get injured during their work.

Miners can be hit by stones falling on their heads or also may be buried by mines which collapsed.

There are also injuries from maintaining or repairing activities, especially on hands and fingers which in some cases have to be amputated.

Moreover, working in mines can also lead to back and shoulder strains.

In some mines, even child labor is used in order to maximize profits.

These children are even at greater risk for injuries since they are less experienced regarding the dangers of mining.

There are several fatalities that can be linked to mining each year.

Especially in poor developing countries with low safety standards, many workers die each year from mining activities.

When mines collapse, the workers underground usually have low chances to survive since they will not have enough oxygen available and may also die from a lack of drinking water.

Thus, working in mines can be quite dangerous and may even take your life.

Hearing damages are another quite common effect when it comes to working in mines.

Some machines that are used for mining purposes can be quite loud.

If the workers are not properly protected, they can suffer from severe hearing losses.

This problem is especially severe in countries with low safety standards.

If the mine owners do not care about their employees, the workers are likely to lose their hearing capacities after a few years.

Therefore, mining can also lead to hearing damages if workers are not protected properly.

For the extraction of certain materials like gold, in many countries, mercury or other extremely toxic substances are used.

Workers often do this extraction process without wearing protection like gloves.

Therefore, they get contaminated and will suffer from severe health issues and even death in the near future. Thus, their life expectancy often is dramatically low.

Mining can also contribute to the problem of cancer.

People working in mines are especially at risk of lung cancer, since they often inhale toxic dust and other harmful gases which come as by-product in the mining process.

Apart from cancer, there are several other lung diseases workers in mines often suffer from.

Especially at risk are workers who do not wear protective masks or other forms of protection.

In developed countries, workers usually wear suitable protection measures against harmful substances.

However, in many poor countries, safety and health standards are much lower and the mineworkers in these countries often suffer from lung issues.

Mining also contributes to a loss in biodiversity .

In order to meet the increasing demand for natural resources, mining activities have to be increased as well.

This means that many areas that previously had been untouched by humans are now invaded for mining purposes.

This invasion leads to biodiversity loss since many animals and plants lose their natural habitats .

They are forced to move or will even die since they are not able to adapt to the changed circumstances.

Moreover, pollution from mining may further destroy their environments and also contaminate all kinds of life forms.

Since mining often includes the extraction of metals and other resources deep under the surface, it can lead to serious erosions.

These erosions may in turn lead to a state where the eroded land is no longer suitable for human use like housing or farming since the soil is too unstable and poses too many dangers of further erosion.

Mining can also lead to water pollution .

Many mining companies, especially in poor countries, deposit the by-products of mining near rivers or lakes in order to get rid of them.

However, through rain, these by-products which often contain harmful elements may be washed into the rivers, lakes or also into the soil.

This in turn will also lead to contamination of our drinking water.

Therefore, mining can also lead to water pollution if there is not enough regulation regarding the disposal of harmful by-products.

Mining also leads to air pollution .

For mining purposes, big machines are often used in order to make the mining process more effective and to reduce the physical work for miners.

However, these machines emit large amounts of harmful gases, also including greenhouse gases like methane or CO2.

Thus, mining can also cause air pollution and the implied consequences.

Soil pollution is another issue that can be caused by mining activities.

In the extraction process, large amounts of material are moved.

This material, apart from the precious resources, may also contain harmful elements.

These elements are likely to be set free through the mining process and therefore may contaminate the surrounding soil.

Moreover, if the waste products from mining are not treated and disposed of in an appropriate manner, they are likely to contaminate the soil as well.

There are several adverse effects of mining on animals.

Since for the mining process, large areas of land have to be used, many animals will lose their natural habitat.

This may force these animals to move.

If they do not find a new habitat, they may even die since they are usually quite sensitive to changes in their natural living conditions and may not be able to adjust fast enough.

Moreover, animals may be contaminated by harmful by-products of mining.

This could include the contamination with mercury or other highly toxic substances which usually significantly lowers the life expectancy of the contaminated animals.

Mining can also have severe adverse effects on plants.

Plants usually require a certain pH-level to grow.

This pH-level is often altered through mining activities.

Thus, many plants will no longer grow efficiently and will lose their fertility which may lead to the local extinction of some plant species.

There are also some adverse effects of mining on aquatic life.

Since many harmful by-products of mining often reach water bodies due to inappropriate disposal by mining companies, all kinds of water animals will suffer from toxic compounds.

This may include the contamination of fishes with heavy materials or even radioactive substances.

Therefore, aquatic life may be affected by mining activities in a dramatic manner.

Since we are at the top of the food chain, we will also be adversely affected by the adverse effects of mining on animals and plants since we are likely to consume them in later stages of the food cycle.

For example, when we consume fish that is contaminated with heavy metals, we can also suffer diseases since we get contaminated by these heavy metals as well.

Mining also often leads to the deforestation of large areas.

In order to meet the worldwide demand for resources, mining companies have to expand their territories which means turning forest land into land that can be mined.

This implies the deforestation in these areas.

Thus, mining also contributes to the worldwide deforestation issue and the related harmful effects to our environment.

Mining also indirectly contributes to global warming .

For mining purposes, big machines that emit large amounts of harmful gases are frequently used.

These gases also include greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane which contribute to global warming.

Moreover, since an increase in mining activities also implies an increase in deforestation, this also contributes to global warming since trees are natural storage spaces for greenhouse gases like CO2.

Through deforestation, we lose these storage spaces and the global warming process will be enhanced because of this behavior.

Moreover, some of the vegetation cover is likely to be destroyed due to mining practices.

In areas that are close to the mining location, pH-levels are likely to be altered due to chemicals or other reactions.

This can lead to a destruction of the vegetation cover since plants are usually quite sensitive to altered acidity levels.

Solutions for the Mining Problem

Government regulations, reduce consumption, reuse and recycle, nature reserves, convince others.

One important measure against the potential adverse effects of mining on our environment is government regulation and restriction .

Authorities have to make sure that mining is done in a responsible manner.

This includes the protection of workers and also the protection of local wildlife and plants.

In some countries, there are already quite strict regulations related to mining practices.

However, in many countries, especially in poor developing countries, there are often quite low safety standards in place.

This has to be changed in order to mitigate the adverse effects related to mining.

Our excessive consumption levels also contribute to the problems caused by mining.

In our daily life and in our society in general, everyone wants to have the newest smartphone, the hippest clothes and so on.

However, this also implies that the old stuff is often thrown away even if it is still functional.

Through this behavior, large amounts of resources are wasted on a daily basis.

We have to change our behavior in a way that we value things that are old but still functional.

We have to make used goods be regarded as more valuable and not dodgy.

Therefore, we have to change our value system and beliefs.

Only then will it be possible to sustain lower consumption levels in an effective fashion.

We should also reuse our old stuff.

For example, if you find things that are still working but you do not use them anymore, try to find people who still see value in it.

By doing so, you can save resources and also ensure that resources are used more efficiently.

Moreover, if you do not have people who want to use your old stuff, at least make sure that these old things can be recycled in an effective way.

This implies separating your waste properly.

To protect the environmental system from the adverse effects of mining, states and governments have to install enough nature reserves so that animals and plants are protected from harmful human interventions.

Nature reserves are crucial for animals and plant species to reproduce since they provide and ensure their natural living conditions.

Thus, nature reserves are another measure to mitigate the adverse effects of mining operations.

Education is another crucial measure against mining and its adverse effects on the environmental system.

We have to show people how harmful mining can be to our planet.

This education should start at a quite young age.

By educating school children, they are likely to also convince their parents and so also parents are likely to pay more attention to this issue and act accordingly.

In addition, when these educated children turn into grownups, they are also more likely to adjust their behavior in an environmentally-friendly manner.

The biggest contribution we can make to mitigate the adverse effects related to mining is to reduce our consumption levels.

This topic should be at the core of the education process.

Making your contribution, especially through a reduction in consumption, matters!

However, you can do much more than that.

You should try to convince your family and friends about the adverse consequences of their consumption behavior and how this also translates into the adverse effects caused by mining.

By doing so, you can change not only your own behavior but also contribute to a changed consumption behavior on a large scale.

Mining is an important source to meet the demand for precious metals and other elements that are crucial for our daily life.

However, mining also has severe negative effects on the environmental system, including humans, animals, plants and also aquatic life.

In order to mitigate the adverse effects of mining, it is crucial that we reduce our consumption levels.

Industries only mine on large scale since our consumption levels lead to such high demand.

If we reduce our consumption levels, the incentive for mining will also be reduced since resource prices are likely to drop.

Therefore, if everyone makes his or her contribution, the mining problem can be mitigated in an effective way in order to ensure a livable future for future generations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining

https://niwa.co.nz/our-science/freshwater/tools/kaitiaki_tools/impacts/chemical-contaminates/causes-of-chemical-contamination/chemical-contaminates-and-mining

https://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2016/finalwebsite/problems/mining.html

About the author

My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues.

As I went to university and got my Master’s degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics.

After finishing university, I traveled around the world. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet.

Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? Share it!

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Barbara Rush, Award-Winning TV and Film Actress, Dies at 97

She received a Golden Globe in 1954 as that year’s rising star and appeared in movies alongside Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Paul Newman.

By Anita Gates

Barbara Rush, the supremely poised actress who rose to fame with supporting roles in 1950s films like “Magnificent Obsession” and “The Young Lions,” died on Sunday at her home in Westlake Village, Calif., in Los Angeles County. She was 97.

The death, in a senior care facility, was confirmed by her daughter, Claudia Cowan.

If Ms. Rush’s portrayals had one thing in common, it was a gentle, ladylike quality, which she put to use in films of many genres. She was Jane Wyman’s concerned stepdaughter in the 1954 romantic drama “Magnificent Obsession” and Dean Martin’s loyal wartime girlfriend in “The Young Lions” (1958), set during World War II. In 1950s science fiction pictures like “It Came From Outer Space” and “When Worlds Collide,” she was the small-town heroine, the scientist’s daughter, the Earthling most likely to succeed.

In both “The Young Philadelphians” (1959), with Paul Newman, and “The World in My Corner,” a 1956 boxing film with Audie Murphy, Ms. Rush was the prized rich girl. In “Bigger Than Life” (also 1956), with James Mason, she played a vapid but supportive wife. And in “Come Blow Your Horn” (1963), with Frank Sinatra, she played the only “nice girl” in a swinging Manhattan bachelor’s life.

But she did transcend type occasionally, as an Indian agent’s bigoted wife, for instance, in the western “Hombre” (1967), with Paul Newman. She also played Kit Sargent, the Hollywood screenwriter attracted to and repelled by the ruthless title character in the classic 1959 television production of “What Makes Sammy Run?”

For much of her career, Ms. Rush was treated as a pretty face more than a serious actress. But she did receive a Golden Globe in 1954 as most promising newcomer, and she won the Sarah Siddons Award as Chicago’s top actress of the 1969-70 season for her stage role as a mature woman courted by a younger man in the Jay Presson Allen comedy “Forty Carats.”

Her stage work, in fact, became a second career. Her best-known role was in “A Woman of Independent Means,” a one-woman epistolary saga. But when the show opened on Broadway in 1984, the nicest thing Frank Rich, writing in The New York Times , said about it was that Ms. Rush was “a handsome woman who tries terribly hard to be ingratiating.” She went on to play the role, however, for appreciative audiences throughout North America.

Barbara Rush was born on Jan. 4, 1927, in Denver. Her father, Roy, was a lawyer for a mining company who died when she was a teenager. Her mother, Nora (Simonson) Rush, had been a homemaker but took up acting around that time to support the family. She later became a nurse. Barbara attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she played Birdie, the guileless alcoholic, in the blistering “Little Foxes” by Lillian Hellman.

In 1950, when she was 23, Ms. Rush received a scholarship to the Pasadena Playhouse Theater Arts College and was signed to a contract at Paramount Pictures. She made her film debut that year in the family comedy “The Goldbergs.”

Television was always a part of her career, with guest appearances beginning in the 1950s. Although she never had a hit series, she did star in several short-lived ones, most memorably as a wealthy Florida wife in “Flamingo Road” (NBC, 1981-82). She was also a newspaper’s Washington correspondent in “Saints and Sinners” (NBC, 1962-63), an abused wife for one season (1968-69) of ABC’s “Peyton Place,” and a soap opera star during the last year (CBS, 1973-74) of “The New Dick Van Dyke Show.”

Her final screen appearances were as a recurring character in the family-values series “7th Heaven,” between 1997 and 2007.

Ms. Rush married and divorced three times. Her first husband (1950-55) was the actor Jeffrey Hunter . Her second (1959-70) was Warren Cowan , a founder of the Rogers & Cowan public relations firm. Her last marriage (1970-75) was to Jim Gruzalski, a sculptor.

In addition to Ms. Cowan, from Ms. Rush’s second marriage, she is survived by a son from her first marriage, Christopher Hunter, and four grandchildren. For about 50 years, she lived in Beverly Hills at a house once occupied by the Hollywood gossip columnist Hedda Hopper.

Ms. Rush continued acting until her early 90s and professed an overwhelming love of her work. In 1997, she told The San Francisco Chronicle , “I’m one of those kinds of people who will perform the minute you open the refrigerator door and the light goes on.”

Alex Traub contributed reporting.