5.9 mining)

Ores

concentrated accumulations of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted

Low grade ore

Ore that contains a smaller amount of the desired mineral. Requires large energy input to separate valuable material from tailings

Surface mining

The extraction of mineral and energy resources near Earth's surface by first removing the soil, subsoil, and overlying rock (overburden)

subsurface mining

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

strip mining

the removal of strips of overlying vegetation and soil and rock to expose ore

mine tailings

Non valuable rock material that has been separated from the desired resource being mined. Often used to fill in the hole left by the mining, despite containing

Slag

stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore. More specific tailings from the process of mining metal

Mountaintop removal

a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives. Very damaging to lower habitats and water sources

Mine reclamation

the process of restoring land that has been mined to a natural or economically usable state. should reshape land to original contours (shape) and involve replanting native species.

Acid mine drainage

Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and dangerous dissolved materials such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium wash from coal and metal mines into nearby lakes and streams. Forms when water flows into abandoned mine shafts, reacts with pyrite, and releases H+ ions, creating highly acidic water.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

requires coal strip mines to reclaim the land