https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_re_metallica was published in 1556, but there do seem to be words missing from that sentence somewhere.

Or punctuation:

De re Metallica (1500s), on the other hand, mentions [the] dangers to workers and environmental harm that mining caused.

Thank you, being unfamiliar with that work, I couldn't parse that sentence.

Sorry should have included a link.

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38015/38015-h/38015-h.htm

Scroll down to page 9 and you find:

"But besides this, the strongest argument of the detractors is that the fields are devastated by mining operations, for which reason formerly Italians were warned by law that no one should dig the earth for metals and so injure their very fertile fields, their vineyards, and their olive groves. Also they argue that the woods and groves are cut down, for there is need of an endless amount of wood for timbers, machines, and the smelting of metals. And when the woods and groves are felled, then are exterminated the beasts and birds, very many of which furnish a pleasant and agreeable food for man. Further, when the ores are washed, the water which has been used poisons the brooks and streams, and either destroys the fish or drives them away."