MINING Example: Coal Example: Gold Ore Example: Iron Ore (steel!) Iron Ore Outcrop Uranium Ore Copper Ore High vs. Low Grade Ore Getting to and obtaining the coal or ore: Removing Overburden Deposited as Spoils For some (such as gold): Cyanide Heap Leaching Or: Emerald on Gangue Tailings pond Environmental Effects: Scarring of land Disrupted ecosystems (loss of biodiversity POLLUTION: air, water, soil Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) smelting How can environmental damage be reduced??? The 3 rs: ??? Reduces environmental impact and reduces depletion time of a mined resource Figure 16-5: Life cycle of a metal resource TYPES OF MINING Surface and Subsurface Surface Mining Open Pit Dredging Strip Mining Mountain-top Removal Subsurface Mining Room and Pillar Longwall In-Situ