1. Surface Mining
APES

2. Mining Process Phase One: Exploration

3. Exploration Potential Activities:
Air & ground-based geochemical and geophysical surveys
Prospecting and claim-staking
Line cutting, stripping, drilling & trenching
Road/trail building
Helicopter transport
Bulk sampling

4. Exploration Environmental Activities:
Land alienation from protection options
Camp garbage
Trail/road and trenching erosion
Access-related over-harvesting & fishing
Habitat disruption
Noise pollution
Acid mine drainage

5. Mining Process Phase Two: Mining & Milling

6. Mining & Milling Potential Activities: Environmental impact assessment
Mine design & construction
Stripping/storing of overburden soil & vegetation
Ore extraction, crushing/grinding of ore
Chemical concentration of ore
Mine & surface water treatment
Storage of waste rock and tailings

7. Mining & Milling Environmental Impacts:
Wildlife & Fisheries habitat loss
Changes in local water balance
Sedimentation
Containment of toxins (cyanide) in ponds
Potential containment pond failure
Potential acid generation from waste rock/walls
Heavy metal leaching from acid mine drainage
Wind-borne dust

8. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)
SMCRA grew out of a concern about the environmental effects of strip mining. Coal had been mined in the United States since the 1740s, but surface mining did not become widespread until the 1930s. At the end of that decade, states began to enact the first laws regulating the coal mining industry.
SMCRA created two programs: one for regulating active coal mines and a second for reclaiming abandoned mine lands. SMCRA also created the Office of Surface Mining, an agency within the Department of the Interior, to promulgate regulations, to fund state regulatory and reclamation efforts, and to ensure consistency among state regulatory programs.

9. Phase Three: Smelting & Refining
Potential Activities:
Processing of mineral concentration by heat or electro-chemical processes

10. Smelting & Refining Environmental Impacts:
Sulfur dioxide emissions contribute to acid rain
Toxic chemicals (e.g. ammonia, sulfuric acid) used for processing
Energy resources needed

11. Phase Four: Mine Closure
Potential Activities:
Re-contouring pit walls and waste dumps
Covering reactive dumps
Decommissioning/dismantling roads and buildings
Re-seeding/planting disturbed areas
Monitoring and treatment of contaminated water

12. Mine Closure Environmental Impacts:
Seepage of toxins into the soil and water from acid mine drainage
Wildlife and fisheries habitat loss
Re-vegetation failure
Wind-borne dust
Slope failures

13. So, what is Acid Mine Drainage?
Outflow of acidic water from (usually abandoned) mines
Causes chemical reactions in the soil and/or groundwater
Acidity caused by oxidation of copper, iron and sulfide

14. Objectives To simulate a real life mining situation
To experience decision making real mine owners may face
To realistically look at mining laws

15. Minerals (What I Pay YOU)
1 bean $1
1 walnut $2
1 green lentil $5
1 Jelly Belly Candy $13

16. Charges Purchase a mine site $5 + 10% of profit at end
Purchase of reclamation bond $5 (returned at end)
Purchase of dump truck $1 (cup)
Purchase of probe $1 (skewer)
Purchase of crane $3 (tweezers)
Purchase of a pump $2 (pipette)
Purchase of bulldozer $2 (fork)
Purchase of earthmover $5 (spoon)
Purchase of separator $10 (screen)

17. Charges Cost to dump trucks with waste $1 each
Reclamation to government satisfaction (return of bond)
Cost to remove dinosaur $20
Cost to remove trees $5 each
Cost to remove animals $1 each + replacement ($1) = $2 total
Death of animals $2 each + replacement ($2) = $4
Damage to water supply $5

18. Fines Not properly removing wildlife - $10
Not properly removing vegetation - $8
Not properly disposing of waste - $10
Burying Waste Onsite - $20
Illegal mining - $5
Mining during restricted times - $5

19. Procedure
Each company should choose a name and a job function as noted below:
field geologist (looks for the ore, bookkeeper)
miner (digger)
process engineer (prepares ore for sale)
environmental engineer (cleans up).

20. Procedure
Each day will last 90 seconds and work must come to a halt at the end of 45 seconds.
During the working hours (we operate in daylight hours only) the company can explore, mine, process, dump waste, etc.
During the overnight hours (45 seconds), the company will prepare for the next day, while the accountant brings records up to date and the environmental engineer cleans the site.
We will play for about 15 days. You may be fined for breaking labor laws.

21. Procedure
All removal of overburden, trees, houses, minerals, etc. must be done using tools provided --no fingers.
Animals can be moved with fingers. If you move an animal, you may move it once. If you remove an animal, you have killed it. Repeat the charge for replacement.

22. Procedure
Before you start, you should spend about 5 minutes sketching your site so that you remember what it looked like. The site must be restored when you are done.

23. Procedure
At the end of the game, calculate your profits and losses. Return equipment as directed.

24. Procedure
Answer post-lab questions. Use the internet and your book if needed.