APES Chapter 8 (mining vers.) (Unit 3)

surface mining

Removing soil, subsoil, and other strata and then extracting a mineral deposit found fairly close to the earth's surface.

strip mining

the removal of strips of soil and rock to expose ore

mining spoils/tailings

left-over materials from the processing of mined ore.

open pit mining

a mining technique that uses a large visible pit or hole in the ground

mountain top removal

a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives

placer mining

looking for metals and precious stones in river sediments

subsurface mining

The extraction of mineral and energy resources from deep underground deposits.

Heap-leaching Extraction

separating specific minerals from other unwanted materials.

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)

Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and dissolved lead, arsenic, or cadmium wash out of mines into nearby waterways (H2SO4).

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States. Regulating active coal mines and reclaiming abandoned mine lands.