Impacts of Mining Flashcards
What is strip mining?
The removal of overlaying vegetation and “strips” of soil and rock to expose underlaying ore
What is open pit mining?
A mining technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground
What is mountain top removal?
A mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives
What is placer mining?
The process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments
What is subsurface mining?
Mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 m (325 ft) below surface
What is a reserve?
In resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered
What are mine tailings?
Unwanted waste material created during mining mineral and other rock residues that are left behind after the desired metals are removed from the ore
What are metals?
An element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy and to perform other important functions
What are ores?
A concentrated accumulation of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted
What is crystal abundance?
The average concentration of an element in Earth’s crust
What are ores and what are they used in?
They are minerals with economic value and they are used for jewelry but also for industry and trade
What effects does subsurface mining have on air?
Minimal dust, but high fossil fuel emissions
What effects does surface mining have on air?
High dust from earth and moving equipment?
What effects does subsurface mining have on water?
Higher acid levels in water
What effects does surface mining have on water?
Possible contamination through metal tailings
What effects does subsurface mining have on soil?
None
What effects does surface mining have on soil?
Large amounts of soil removed to expose ore
What effects does subsurface mining have on biodiversity?
Road construction can fragment habitats
What effects does surface mining have on biodiversity?
Possible habitat destruction
What effects does subsurface mining have on humans?
Occupational hazards, safety concerns, and lung disease
What effects does surface mining have on humans?
Minimal in mining process, but possible air and water quality issues
