EARTHSCI MINING

Mining

Extraction of valuable minerals and geological materials.

Surface Mining

Extraction near Earth’s surface; used for shallow deposits.

Underground Mining

Mining method involving tunnels and shafts to reach deep ore bodies.

Open-pit Mining

Surface mining using a large pit; common for copper, iron, and gold.

Strip Mining

Removal of overlying soil and rock layers to access ore; often used for coal.

Placer Mining

Method using moving water to mechanically concentrate heavy minerals (gold, platinum, diamonds).

Dredging

Underwater mining method that collects sediments/minerals from riverbeds or seafloors.

Cyanide Heap Leaching

Ore is piled into heaps and sprayed with a cyanide solution which dissolves gold; the solution is collected and processed to recover the metal.

Froth Flotation

Ore is crushed, mixed with water and chemicals, then air bubbles carry valuable minerals to the surface; used for copper, lead, zinc.

Smelting

Ore is heated to high temperatures to separate metal from impurities.

Electrolysis

An electric current is used to extract pure metals from molten or dissolved ores.

Gravity Separation

Separation of minerals based on density differences (e.g., gold panning).

Magnetic Separation

Use of magnets to extract magnetic minerals (e.g., magnetite) from ore.

Program Design

Planning and organizing exploration programs before fieldwork begins.

Field Exploration

Stage of searching for mineral deposits; includes reconnaissance, prospecting, and detailed exploration.

Regional Reconnaissance

Large-area surveys to locate signs of mineralization.

Prospecting

Narrower search for mineral evidence on the ground, often including mapping and sampling.

Detailed Exploration

Intensive study of a potential deposit using mapping, drilling, and sampling to define size and grade.

Pre-production Stage

Includes feasibility studies, mine design, obtaining permits, and construction before actual mining starts.

Production Stage

Extraction and processing of ore from the deposit.

Closure and Reclamation

Final stage; restoring mined land to a safe, stable, and usable condition after mining.

Environmental Concerns

Impacts of Mining

Deforestation, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, water and air pollution, toxic tailings.

Reclamation

Restoration of mined land to a natural or usable state.

Sustainable Mining Practices

Waste management, recycling, reclamation, reduced chemical use, responsible extraction.