Mining and Conservation of Mineral Resources

Comprehensive flashcards covering the extraction, processing, environmental impact, and sustainable practices of mining. Includes definitions of ores, mining techniques, mineral processing methods, environmental hazards, and strategies for reducing the negative effects of mining.

Mining

The process of extracting mineral ores from the earth to obtain valuable minerals.

Ore

Rock that contains a high concentration of a specific mineral, usually a metal.

High-grade Ore

Ore that contains a large concentration of the desired mineral.

Low-grade Ore

Ore that contains a small concentration of the desired mineral.

Hydrothermal Fluid Circulation

Groundwater or seawater heated by magma that dissolves and deposits minerals.

Metamorphic Processes

Heat and pressure alter and recrystallize minerals, concentrating economically important minerals like graphite, marble, and asbestos.

Magmatic Processes

Minerals crystallize from magma prematurely and separate, forming concentrated ore deposits.

Kimberlite Magma

Deep-mantle magma source of diamonds forming kimberlite pipes.

Chemical Sedimentary Processes

Minerals accumulate through chemical weathering and redeposition to form ore deposits.

Surface Mining

Extracting ores near the surface by removing overburden.

Subsurface Mining

Extracting ores deep underground using tunnels or shafts.

Overburden

Soil and rock covering a mineral deposit.

Spoils

Waste material removed from mining and piled aside.

Open-Pit Mining

Surface mining method using large machinery to dig deep, wide holes to extract minerals.

Area Strip Mining

Surface mining on flat terrain; excavation occurs in horizontal strips.

Contour Strip Mining

Surface mining on hills/mountains; strips dug along contour lines, often for coal.

Mountaintop Removal

Removal of the top of a mountain to access minerals; overburden transported by draglines.

Underground Mining

Mining deep deposits using tunnels or shafts; higher risk and cost than surface mining.

Smelting

Heating ore at high temperatures to separate minerals from rock.

Land Scarring

Surface disruption that takes decades to recover, destroying vegetation and habitats.