Mining for metals Flashcards
Minerals containing metals of value are?
Mineral Ores
What are the two methods of mining?
Underground mining, open-cut mining
When do you use open cut mining?
When the mineral ore is close to the surface
When do you use underground mining?
When the mineral ore is far beneath the surface
How is open cut mining implemented?
First the vegetation and topsoil are removed
Then waste rock from beneath the topsoil, called overburden, is removed.
Removed topsoil and overburden are used to fill areas that have already been mined or are left in a pile to restore the newly mined area when mining is completed.
How is underground mining implemented?
This mining method is more dangerous and expensive than open-cut mining.
Shafts and tunnels are dug up to four kilometers into the ground to reach the rocks containing the mineral ore.
The development of open-cut and underground mining is overseen by mining engineers.
What are the steps of mineral extraction?
Separates the mineral ore from the rock taken from the ground
This involves crushing, grinding and washing the rock to separate the minerals from the unwanted rock
What are the steps of metal extraction?
Separates the desired metal element from the mineral
This always involves chemical reactions
The nature of these reactions depends on a number of factors, including the chemical composition of the mineral ore
Chemical engineers are involved in the design of this process
What is EIS?
An EIS stands for Environmental Impact Statement and outlines how the mining company intends to manage all environmental aspects of the proposed mine. It also outlines how the land will be rehabilitated or reconstructed, so that it can be used again after the mining is completed
How are mining sites located?
Geologists use satellite equipment to locate large deposits of minerals below the surface
Advantages and disadvantages of open cut mining
Advantages: Cheaper, easier to get equipment down, safer, higher gain of minerals
Disadvantages: Floods, overburden
Advantages and disadvantages of underground mining
Advantages: No overburden, no weather
Disadvantages: Dangerous, not all mineral can be mined, expensive, harder to get machines down
Advantages and disadvantages of underground mining
Advantages: No overburden, no weather
Disadvantages: Dangerous, not all mineral can be mined, expensive, harder to get machines down
