Podcast
Questions and Answers
What differentiates a quarry from an open-pit mine?
What differentiates a quarry from an open-pit mine?
- Open-pit mines are exclusively for non-metallic minerals.
- Quarries specifically produce dimension stone and building materials. (correct)
- Quarries only produce metals.
- Quarries are located exclusively in urban areas.
Which mining technique is primarily utilized in hilly or mountainous terrain?
Which mining technique is primarily utilized in hilly or mountainous terrain?
- Quarry Mining
- Area Strip Mining
- Open-Pit Mining
- Contour Strip Mining (correct)
What is a common consequence of Area Strip Mining?
What is a common consequence of Area Strip Mining?
- Creation of flat land ready for agriculture.
- Commonly leads to underground water contamination.
- Formation of spoil banks which are highly erodible. (correct)
- Leads to an increase in biodiversity in the area.
What principle does heavy media separation rely on?
What principle does heavy media separation rely on?
In the cyanide heap leaching process, what is applied to the crushed rock?
In the cyanide heap leaching process, what is applied to the crushed rock?
Which method involves placing the powdered ore in a frothy slurry?
Which method involves placing the powdered ore in a frothy slurry?
What is the primary purpose of milling recovery methods?
What is the primary purpose of milling recovery methods?
What type of minerals can be separated using magnetic separation?
What type of minerals can be separated using magnetic separation?
What is the primary objective of the regional reconnaissance phase in mineral exploration?
What is the primary objective of the regional reconnaissance phase in mineral exploration?
Which of the following methods is characterized by the removal of shallow ore deposits?
Which of the following methods is characterized by the removal of shallow ore deposits?
What does the pre-production feasibility study primarily validate?
What does the pre-production feasibility study primarily validate?
In what scenario is open-pit mining primarily utilized?
In what scenario is open-pit mining primarily utilized?
Which phase in the mining exploration process focuses on extensive resource drilling and environmental costs?
Which phase in the mining exploration process focuses on extensive resource drilling and environmental costs?
What is a potential environmental risk associated with open-pit mining?
What is a potential environmental risk associated with open-pit mining?
What is typically involved in the detailed exploration phase of mining?
What is typically involved in the detailed exploration phase of mining?
Which of the following best describes the activities included in prospect evaluation?
Which of the following best describes the activities included in prospect evaluation?
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Study Notes
Mining Design
- Initial project design involves reviewing geological data, mining history, and environmental factors.
- Social, political, and economic acceptability of the project is assessed along with budget proposals.
Mining Exploration
- Field exploration includes physical activities to identify mineralized zones and requires three phases:
- Regional Reconnaissance identifies potential targets over a larger area through surface investigation.
- Detailed Exploration focuses on more specific subsurface activities to delineate mineral zones.
- Prospect Evaluation assesses market profitability through resource drilling and environmental impact studies.
Feasibility Study
- Pre-production feasibility studies validate data from exploration stages.
- Aim is to provide independent assessors with sufficient information to attract investors and secure funding.
Types of Mining
- Methods vary based on mineral depth:
- Surface mining is employed for shallow deposits.
- Underground mining retrieves deep deposits.
Surface Mining
- Extracts ore minerals close to the surface using various techniques:
- Open-pit Mining: Large holes dug to access minerals; risks include toxic water accumulation.
- Quarrying: Excavation of stone and aggregate, typically refers to open-pit operations for building materials.
- Area Strip Mining: Overburden removed by earth movers, creating spoil banks which are prone to erosion.
- Contour Strip Mining: Used on hilly terrain; creates highwalls of erodible dirt unless restored.
Underground Mining
- Extracts minerals from deep within the Earth, utilizing specialized techniques for safety and efficiency.
Milling Recovery Methods
- Techniques for separating minerals from waste:
- Heavy Media Separation: Uses liquid to separate heavier minerals from lighter ones.
- Magnetic Separation: Magnetic materials are isolated using magnets.
- Flotation: Agitated water slurry separates minerals based on buoyancy.
- Cyanide Heap Leaching: Involves crushed rock treated with cyanide solution for low-grade gold extraction.
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