45 Questions
What is the primary purpose of removing the topsoil and overburden in surface mining?
To expose the ore for excavation
What is the term used to describe the process of restoring the natural vegetation after mining?
Rehabilitation
Which type of mining is used when minerals are located deep beneath the Earth's surface?
Underground mining
What is the name of the largest open-pit mine in the world, where copper ore is mined?
Phalaborwa Open Pit Mine
What is the layer of rock above the mineral deposit called?
Overburden
What is the first step in the surface mining process?
Topsoil removal
What is the purpose of drilling in the copper mining process at Phalaborwa Open Pit Mine?
To break down the ore
What type of mining is commonly used to extract diamonds, gold, and platinum group metals in South Africa?
Shaft mining
What is the purpose of the headgear in shaft mining?
To house the lift system for miners and equipment
What is the depth of the TauTona Mine in Carletonville?
3.9 km
What is the temperature range in the TauTona Mine?
Up to 55°C
What method is commonly used in coal mining?
Room and pillar method
What is the purpose of continuous miners in coal mining?
To extract coal and load it onto conveyor belts
What is the first step in processing ore?
Crushing the ore into smaller pieces
What techniques are used to separate valuable minerals from waste rock?
Flotation, magnetic separation, or chemical leaching
What is the primary difference between surface mining and underground mining?
The location of the mineral deposit
What is the purpose of excavating the ore in surface mining?
To transport the ore for processing
What is a common application of surface mining in South Africa?
Mining coal and manganese
What is the process of drilling, blasting, and transporting the ore in the Phalaborwa Open Pit Mine?
Copper mining process
Why is the overburden removed in surface mining?
To expose the mineral deposit
What is the purpose of removing the topsoil in surface mining?
To preserve the natural vegetation
What is the difference between surface mining and underground mining in terms of the location of the mineral deposit?
Surface mining is used for mineral deposits near the Earth's surface
What is the main purpose of side tunnels in shaft mining?
To access the ore bodies
What is a significant challenge posed by working at great depths in shaft mining?
High temperatures
What is the primary function of the room and pillar method?
To extract coal and leave behind pillars
What is the purpose of crushing and grinding the ore in the processing stage?
To facilitate the extraction of minerals
What is the primary benefit of using continuous miners in coal mining?
They increase the speed of extraction
What is the purpose of using various physical and chemical processes in the processing stage?
To extract the valuable minerals from the ore
What is the significance of the TauTona Mine in Carletonville?
It is the deepest mine in the world
What is the purpose of the headgear in shaft mining?
To house the lift system and allow miners to move up and down the shaft
What is the primary reason for combining surface and underground mining techniques in some cases?
To access ore deposits that cannot be reached through a single method
What is the primary advantage of surface mining over underground mining?
It requires less infrastructure
What is the purpose of drilling in the copper mining process at Phalaborwa Open Pit Mine?
To create a hole for blasting
What is the primary difference between the coal mining process and the copper mining process in Phalaborwa?
The type of mineral being extracted
What is the purpose of the overburden removal step in surface mining?
To expose the ore for excavation
What is the primary benefit of rehabilitation after mining?
It helps restore the natural environment
What is the primary reason for using surface mining in South Africa?
It is used to extract iron, copper, chromium, manganese, phosphate, and coal
What is the primary purpose of using vertical shafts in shaft mining?
To access deep ore bodies
What is the main challenge posed by high temperatures in deep mines?
The impact on the health and safety of miners
What is the primary purpose of the room and pillar method in coal mining?
To provide support to the roof of the mine
What is the primary purpose of crushing and grinding the ore in the processing stage?
To increase the surface area of the ore to facilitate extraction
What is the primary purpose of using flotation in the processing stage?
To separate the valuable minerals from the waste rock
What is the primary purpose of using chemical leaching in the processing stage?
To dissolve the valuable minerals from the ore
What is the primary purpose of the headgear in shaft mining?
To house the lift system and allow miners and equipment to move up and down the shaft
What is the primary benefit of using continuous miners in coal mining?
They continuously extract coal and load it onto conveyor belts for transport to the surface
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
