1. The Mining Cycle Exploration MiningReclamation Metals-6-1 Images: Martin Miller

2. Useful metals come from rocks and minerals in the Earth’s crust. Metals-6-2 Galena sample – a main ore of lead.Image: Stonetrust, Inc.

3. Geologists explore for useful metals by mapping, drilling, and sampling rocks and minerals. Metals-6-3 Image: Martin Miller

4. Many rocks containing useful metals are mined from surface excavations. Metals-6-4 Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.

5. Some rocks containing useful metals are mined from underground. Metals-6-5 Image: US Bureau of Land Management

6. After mining removes the rocks containing useful metals, surface disturbances are covered with soil layers and revegetated. This is called reclamation. Metals-6-6 Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.

7. Mines are not closed until reclamation that protects surface and water resources is complete. Metals-6-7 Before After Images: Gold Institute, Echo Bay Mines; S. Warren

8. The Mining Cycle Exploration MiningReclamation Metals-6-8 Images: Martin Miller