What is mining?  Mining: is extracting ore or minerals from the ground  Ore: the natural material large enough and pure enough to be mined for profit.

Types of Mines There are two main types of mines. 1)Surface Mining 2)Subsurface Mining

Surface Mining Surface mining is used to remove mineral deposits on or near the Earth’s surface. There are 3 types of surface mines: 1.Open-pit: removes large, near surface deposits of minerals such as gold and copper. Mined downward in layers 2.Quarries: stone, crushed rock, sand, gravel 3.Strip Mining: removing surface coal in strips up to 50 m wide x 1 Km long

Surface Mining This quarry in northwest Georgia is an open pit used to mine granite.

Subsurface Mining

…. A video about mining coal.

Mining Demonstration Which type of mining am I demonstrating?

Effects of Mining on the Environment

What happens to a mine when it is no longer being used? Mine reclamation is the process by which land used for mining is returned to its original state or better. Has been required by law since the mid- 1970’s.

Mining To reduce the effects of mining, reduce our need for minerals, reuse, and recycle. Reduce: use less Reuse: get as much use out of the materials you have. Recycle: use the material to make something else, rather than throwing it away.

About Gemstones Gemstones are highly valuable minerals because they are beautiful and rare, not because they are useful. Color is the most important characteristic of a gemstone. The more attractive the color is, the more valuable the gem is.