Mineral Exploitation 2

Question 1

Exploitation exploratory techniques

2 types

Answer 1

1 Remote sensing - no direct samples - satellite, air craft or grnd based surveys
2 larger scale techniques - more expensive but often cost effective, rel low cost / unit area

Question 2

Survey techniques

7

Answer 2

1 - IR spectroscopy- minerals emit different wave length radiation
2 - Gravimetry - gravimeters detect variations in gravity in mass and density - igneous denser then sedimentary
3 - magnetometry - magnetometers detect rocks that r more magnetic ie iron ore
4 - seismic survey - sound waves produced by control explosions or a seismic vibrator - echos
5 - resistivity - to electricity pass through. Sedimentary low resistivity then igneous
6 - trial drilling - most expensive- sample
7 - chemical analysis- lab tests chem composition and purity minerals

Question 3

Factors affecting mining viability

Answer 3

Ore purity
Chemical form
Overburden and hydrology
Depth
Economic viability
Transport costs
Market economics

Question 4

Factors affecting mining viability

Ore purity

Answer 4

Ore purity - affect financial costs of exploitation and environment
Low ore grade —> more rock mined, more spoil, more energy, more pollution

Question 5

Factors affecting mining viability

Chemical form

Answer 5

Affect ease chemical extraction from metal

Eg aluminium extracted from bauxite but not clay

Question 6

Factors affecting mining viability

Overburden and hydrology

Answer 6

Hard overburden require blasting increase cost.
Loose overburden increase risk landslides - mine void require landscaping increase area of mine.

Higher ppt/ impermeable rock increase drainage costs

Question 7

Factors affecting mining viability

Depth

Answer 7

Cost ^ if depth increases massively
Walls can’t b vertical (risk collapse) so deeper —> more land removed to reach mine.
As depth ^ amount h2o that flows into mine from surface run off / grnd water rises ^ pumping costs significantly

Question 8

Factors affecting mining viability

Economic viability

Answer 8

Economically profitable, balance between production costs and income
Lowest ore purity that can be mined economically w existing tech - COOG
COOG changes w tech improves and market prices fluctuate

Question 9

Factors affecting mining viability

Transport costs

Answer 9

Affected by distance to market, ease transport and presence suitable existing transport infrastructure and whether bulk of minerals has been reduced by processing

Question 10

Factors affecting mining viability

Market economies

Answer 10

Demand and sale value contribute to economic viability
Market price determined by demand, amount produced and cost extraction and processing.
When demand and supply don’t match prices fluctuate massively - uncertainty makes predictions future markets v important.
Exploiting minerals where already mining activities produce benefits by having access to existing infrastructure for transport and energy, equipment supplies and trained work Fouré.