Mining

Mining Objectives - You should be able to: Describe several methods of mining Describe important potential environmental consequences of mining Define reclamation Describe mining laws and regulations

Mining Important Vocabulary: Surface mining Subsurface mining Subsidence Reclamation

Why Do We Mine? Almost every solid object you see is made of minerals We mine to extract minerals and elements from the earth Examples: quartz, aluminum, gold, silver, salt, zinc, coal

Types of Mining Subsurface Mining Surface Mining Placer Mining Longwall Solution Surface Mining Coal mining Quarrying Solar evaporation Placer Mining Smelting Undersea Mining

Mining Beneath the Earth’s Surface Subsurface Mining Mining Beneath the Earth’s Surface Longwall Mining Solution Mining

Used when deposits are located close to Earth’s surface Surface Mining Used when deposits are located close to Earth’s surface Coal Mining Quarrying Solar Evaporation used for salt mining

Placer Mining Mineral deposits that are concentrated by wind and water into surface deposits

Smelting Melting crushed ore at high temperatures in furnaces to separate impurities from metals

Mining minerals from within the ocean floor Undersea Mining Mining minerals from within the ocean floor

Environmental Impacts Air and noise pollution Water contamination Displacement of wildlife Erosion and Sedimentation Soil Degradation Subsidence – sinking of land over abandoned mines Underground fires

Mining Regulations Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 Created regulations Set standards Created fund for reclamation Mining companies must obtain permits from state environmental agencies before mining Permits specify standards for mine design and reclamation

Reclamation The process of returning land to its original or better condition after mining is completed

Remember This!!! Subsidence is the sinking of the land Reclamation is returning the land to its original condition or better after mining

Mining Quiz What do we mine and why is it important? What are the two main types of mining? Name three environmental impacts of mining? What is subsidence? What is reclamation?