MINING:
The extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth from an ore body, lode, vein, seam, or reef, which forms the mineralized package of economic interest to the miner
PROCESS
- DISPOSAL OF OVERBURDEN AND WASTE ROCK: Removal of rock and soil layers above the mineral
- ORE EXTRACTION: heavy equipment and machinery transport the ore to processing facilities using
haul roads.
- ACTIVE MINING: The extraction and concentration (or beneficiation) of a metal from the earth
- BENEFICIATION: grinding of the ore and separating the small quantities of metal from the nonmetallic material of the ore
- DEVELOPMENT: Construction of access roads/ site preparation and clearing
- TAILING DISPOSAL: prevent the mobilization and release into the environment of toxic constituents of the tailings
- EXPLORATION: for knowledge of the location and value of the mineral ore deposit
- SITE RECLAMATION AND CLOSURE: return the site to a condition that most resembles the pre-mining condition
FOSSIL FUELS
the world’s dominant energy source (non renewable)
COAL
Formed from plants and trees which hardened due to pressure and heat
OIL
Formed by small organisms like zooplancton and allegi, where pressure caused the most complex organic matter to decompose.
Example: deep water horizon (ended in disaster)
NATURAL GAS
Same process as oil, but exposed to more heat and pressure, causing it to turn into a gaseous form.
TYPES OF MINING
PLACER MINING
UNDERGROUND MINING
OPEN PIT MINING OR QUARRYING
REWORKING OF INACTIVE OR ABANDONED MINES AND TAILINGS
CONSEQUENCES OF MINING
The ore deposit extends very deep in the ground, necessitating the removal of layer upon layer of overburden and ore.
Most environmentally destructive types of mining
Used when the metal of interest is associated with sediment in a stream bed or floodplain.
Minimal amount of overburden is removed to gain access to the ore deposit.
Entails great safety risks
Positive
Improvement in employment
Contribution to the economy
Improvement of facilities and infrastructure in rural areas
Human displacement and ressettlement
MINERALS
Negative
Soil erosion
Release of greenhouse gases
LIMESTONE
Loss of habitats
Pollution
GOLD
In Chile (ended in disaster )and in Cajamarca, Peru
Air
Visual
Land
Water
Noise
MANAGING IMPACT
Safe disposal of mining waste
Land restoration
Making land and nature reserves
Using as landfill sites
Sustainable use of rocks and minerals
Transport can be reduced
Quarrying can be used as tourist attraction and educational site
Increased efficiency in the extraction of rocks and minerals
Increased efficiency of the use of rocks and minerals
The need to recycle rocks and minerals
Legislation
Oil spills
Skimmers in contained spills
Detergent (water pollutant)
Floating booms
Manually removing oil off the sand