Post on 22-Dec-2015
Getting At Our Wanted Getting At Our Wanted MineralsMinerals
MININGMINING
Steps to MiningSteps to Mining
• 1. Prospecting For Minerals
• 2. Developing the Mine
Prospecting for mineralsProspecting for minerals
• Study rock samples
• They have found some minerals are found in areas with specific rock types
• Some methods of prospecting: digging wholes, or using magnetic and helicopters
The MineThe Mine• 1. Obtain the rights• 2. Protecting the environment• 3. Build the mine • A) underground• B) open-pit mining• 4. Refining the Ore• 5. Dealing with waste• 6. Reclamation
Developing the MineDeveloping the Mine
• Obtaining the Rights
• - must buy and own the land before you can mine
• Get permission or legally buy it from owner
Developing the MineDeveloping the Mine
• Protecting the Environment
• - many countries require proof that miners will not destroy the environment BEFORE they allow them to mine
• Must complete an Environmental Assessment – a study of what the mine will do to the : land, air, wildlife, people and the ecosystem
• Study must show mining will be safe and environmentally friendly
Developing the MineDeveloping the Mine
• Building the Mine
Two main ways:1. Underground Mining- Dig vertical shaft down into earth- Broken ore carried out on elevators- Used when ore is far below the surface2. Open-pit Mining- Used when ore is near top of earth- The rock that covers the ore is removed- Heavy equipment is then used to dig out the ore- Even mountains have disappeared from this form of mining
Refining The OreRefining The Ore
• - useful materials must be separated from waste rock
• This process is called beneficiation
• Some minerals are separated by melting, others by chemical reactions
Dealing with wasteDealing with waste
• Lots of left over material called tailings
• Valuable or can take up as little as 2%, leaving 98% of useless rock leftovers
• Some ways of dealing with this: put dirt back in mines, or in giant piles nearby
• One danger is dangerous chemicals that could leak into ground
ReclamationReclamation
• Mining scars the earth
• After mining it is important to return the earth back to a useable piece of earth
• Some ways: planting trees, making into parks, used for grazing for animals, or for recreation