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Questions and Answers
What type of mineral deposits are typically found in igneous intrusions?
What type of mineral deposits are typically found in igneous intrusions?
Which mineral deposits are associated with sea water extraction?
Which mineral deposits are associated with sea water extraction?
What type of deposits are formed by slow crystallization at high temperatures and pressures?
What type of deposits are formed by slow crystallization at high temperatures and pressures?
Which mineral is typically associated with chemically deposited sedimentary deposits?
Which mineral is typically associated with chemically deposited sedimentary deposits?
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What type of mineral deposits are usually found in metamorphic rocks?
What type of mineral deposits are usually found in metamorphic rocks?
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Rust-colored rocks or soil are always an indication of the presence of metallic minerals.
Rust-colored rocks or soil are always an indication of the presence of metallic minerals.
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Most sulphide mineral deposits are not associated with quartz veins.
Most sulphide mineral deposits are not associated with quartz veins.
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Dykes are long thin bodies of metamorphic rock that flowed into cracks in older rocks.
Dykes are long thin bodies of metamorphic rock that flowed into cracks in older rocks.
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Shear zones are places of weakness or breaks in the earth's crust through which mineralized solutions may have been channeled.
Shear zones are places of weakness or breaks in the earth's crust through which mineralized solutions may have been channeled.
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All type of gold and silver can be definitely determined without an assay test.
All type of gold and silver can be definitely determined without an assay test.
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Study Notes
Hard Rock Mining
- Hard rock deposits occur in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks, unlike soft rock mining which typically involves coal.
- Hard rock mining involves exploring and mining an orebody, which is a mineral that can be exploited safely and at a profit.
Orebody Formation and Classification
- Orebody formation processes include weathering and erosion, volcanic processes, sedimentation, and tectonic or metamorphic processes.
- Weathering and erosion can break down rocks into minerals, which may become concentrated as either weathering-resistant minerals or in mobile minerals.
- Volcanic processes can result in concentrations through crystallization, differential gravity settling, and heat energy.
- Sedimentation can result in gravity separation and concentration within clastic sediments.
- Tectonic or metamorphic processes can result in the breakdown and transformation of rock minerals and concentration of certain elements.
Types of Orebody Formation
- Igneous intrusions include iron, ferro-alloy metals, non-ferrous base metals, precious metals, nuclear elements, magnesite, and barite.
- Sedimentary concentration by weathering and/or precipitation includes iron oxides, manganese oxides, bauxite, uranium, and vanadium.
- Sea water extraction includes salt and magnesium.
- Placer deposits include gold, cassiterite, mercury, zirconium, silica sand, rutile, ilmenite, and monazite.
- Pegmatite deposits include feldspar, quartz, rare earth minerals, lithium minerals, and beryllium.
- Evaporite deposits include potash, sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate, salt, borax, gypsum, and lithium.
- Chemically deposited sedimentary deposits include sulphur, phosphate, strontium minerals, barite, limestone, dolomite, magnesite, and chalk.
- Other sedimentary deposits include diatomite, clay, shale, sandstone, quartzite, bentonite, perlite, diamond-bearing rock, and graphite.
- Metamorphic deposits include mica, asbestos, talc, vermiculite, pyrophyllite, slate, sillimanites, and magnesite.
Indicators of Mineralization
- Rust-colored rocks or soil (Gossan) are a good indication of mineralization, caused by iron, which may indicate the presence of other metallic minerals.
- Quartz veins are often associated with sulphide mineral deposits.
- Dykes are long thin bodies of igneous rock that may contain or be associated with valuable minerals.
- Shear zones are places of weakness or breaks in the earth's crust through which mineralized solutions may have been channelled, and often contain quartz veins.
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Description
This quiz covers the basic concepts of hard rock mining, including the geological characteristics of hard rock deposits and the definition of ore. Learn about the differences between soft rock and hard rock mining.
