Mining: Extraction, Methods, and Purification

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following correctly identifies a method used in surface mining?

  • Shaft mining which involves digging tunnels to reach minerals
  • Solution mining which dissolves minerals underground and pumps them to the surface
  • Open pit mining where minerals are extracted from an open excavation (correct)
  • Placer mining of river sediments using funnels

Smelting is used in mining to:

  • Break down mine materials into smaller particles
  • Convert metals into soluble salts in aqueous media
  • Extract a base metal from its ore by heating (correct)
  • Purify water contaminated by mining activities

Why is reclamation considered an important step in mitigating the environmental impact of mining?

  • It primarily involves controlling gas emissions from mining sites.
  • It focuses solely on treating water used in mining operations.
  • It helps in restoring the land to its original condition after mining. (correct)
  • It directly increases the extraction rate of valuable metals.

What role does leaching play in the concentration and purification of minerals?

<p>It converts metals into soluble salts in an aqueous medium. (C)</p>
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What is the purpose of milling in the context of mining operations?

<p>To break down mined materials into smaller particles (B)</p>
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Which environmental issue is most directly associated with tailings management in mining operations?

<p>Water pollution from potential spills (B)</p>
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How might mining activities lead to a lowering of the water table in arid environments?

<p>By consuming large quantities of water for extraction processes (D)</p>
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How does road-building associated with mining contribute to habitat destruction?

<p>It increases access for hunting which leads to population decline. (D)</p>
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Which of the following is a potential consequence of using cyanide in gold mining?

<p>Toxicity to local wildlife and water contamination (D)</p>
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What is one of the primary governance issues that hinder sustainable mining practices in developing countries?

<p>Lack of transparency and monitoring capabilities (B)</p>
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What is Acid Rock Drainage and how does it occur?

<p>The outflow of acidic water from a mining site, typically a coal or metal mine, which is caused by the oxidation of sulfide minerals that are exposed during mining. (C)</p>
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Why is the prevention of acid rock drainage (ARD) a critical environmental measure in mining?

<p>It prevents the acidification of water bodies and soil contamination. (A)</p>
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What factors contribute to the difficulty in predicting the long-term environmental impacts of mining?

<p>Natural processes are poorly understood and some response technologies are experimental (C)</p>
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How does deforestation due to mining activities affect local biodiversity?

<p>Creates barriers to animal movement and isolates the population (A)</p>
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Why is it important to establish criteria for defining 'no go' areas for mining?

<p>To protect biodiversity hotspots and community livelihoods (A)</p>
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How can mining operations impact the morphology of streams?

<p>By altering the channels due to sediment displacement or water diversion (C)</p>
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What mechanisms encourage responsible mining initiatives?

<p>Community Development (A)</p>
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How does responsible mining contribute to environmental sustainability?

<p>By applying rehabilitation and remediation techniques (D)</p>
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What is solution mining?

<p>A method that dissolves minerals underground pumping them to the surface. (D)</p>
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What is the role of transparency in promoting better governance in the mining sector?

<p>It enables better monitoring. (D)</p>
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Flashcards

Mining

Excavation in the earth to extract minerals or geological materials.

Surface Mining

A mining method involving open excavations on the earth's surface.

Mountain Top Removal

Surface mining that removes the summit of a mountain to extract minerals.

Milling

Breaking down mined materials into smaller particles.

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Leaching

Converting metals into soluble salts in an aqueous medium.

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Smelting

Extracting metal from its ore by heating (beyond melting point).

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Reclamation

Restoring land after mining to its original state.

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Soil Treatment

Treatment of contaminated soils to remove pollutants.

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Water Treatment

Methods to clean and purify water affected by mining activities.

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Acid Rock Drainage Prevention

The prevention of acidic water forming from mining sites.

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Control of Gas Emissions

Managing and reducing harmful gases released during mining.

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Recycling

Reusing materials rather than extracting new ones.

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Tailings Management

Managing the waste produced by mining operations.

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Biodiversity Hotspots

Areas with high concentrations of endemic species.

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Mining Regulatory Framework

Environmental regulations specific for mining activities.

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Precautionary Principle

Principles that advocate caution when outcomes are uncertain.

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Study Notes

  • Mining extracts minerals from the Earth, providing resources essential for daily life
  • Mining has negative environmental impacts that must be mitigated

What is Mining?

  • Mining is the excavation of the earth to extract minerals.
  • It involves extracting minerals or geological nutrients from the soil, including valuable and heavy metals

Methods of Mining

  • Surface mining method
    • Open pit mining or strip mining
    • Mountain top removal
  • Mechanical Extraction Method
    • Open Pit Mining
    • Quarrying
    • Open Cast
  • Aqueous Extraction Method
    • Placer Mining rivers using their sediments (ex. gold panning)
    • Solution Mining
  • Underground Mining Methods; using funnels and shafts

Concentration and Purification of Minerals

  • Milling breaks down mined materials into smaller particles
  • Leaching converts metals into soluble salts in aqueous media
  • Smelting produces a base metal from its ore, as a form of extractive metallurgy

Importance of Mining

  • Mining provides resources for electricity, steel, cement, concrete, fertilizer, and jewelry

Environmental Impact of Mining

  • Reclamation, soil and water treatment, prevention of acid rock drainage, control of gas emissions, and recycling are all measures used in order to to minimize any negative impacts mining has on the environment

Mining in the Philippines

  • Mining employs 250,000 people in the Philippines
  • In 2020 the revenue generated by mining was 90 billion pesos
  • In 2020 the gross economic impact totalled 375 billion dollars
  • The Philippines is a source of gold, nickel, and copper

History of Mining in the Philippines

  • (1200-1400) pre-colonial- gold
  • (Early 1900) American colonial period- gold, iron, nickel
  • (1940- Present) post- world war- gold, nickel, copper

Current Mining Operations in the Philippines

  • Dipidio mines/ oceana golds
  • Nilag mines
  • Benguet mines
  • Nickel asia corp

Environmental Concerns

  • Deforestation
  • Water Pollution (leaching)
  • Geological Risks (landslide, earthquake)
  • Socio-cultural issues (ex. indigenous rights)
  • Community displacement

Sustainable Mining

  • Responsible mining initiatives
  • Rehabilitation
  • Community Development

Potential Environmental Impacts

  • Water pollution
    • Tailings management poses risks of spills and waste dumping in rivers/oceans
    • Chemical reactions: cyanide (gold mining), acid mine drainage, heavy metals, mercury
  • Water quantity/stream hydrology
    • Lowering of water table (arid environments)
    • Changing morphology of streams
  • Deforestation/habitat destruction
    • Road-building increases access
    • Loss of wetlands (clearing or pollution)
    • Increase in hunting

Uncertain Outcomes

  • Difficulties in predicting environmental impacts
  • Some natural processes poorly understood
  • Some technologies/responses are still largely experimental
  • Need for precautionary principle

Governance Issues

  • Lack of basic regulatory framework
    • Lack of environmental regulations specific for mining
    • Reclamation bonds
    • Minimum reclamation standards
  • Developing countries lack basic governance
    • Transparency
    • Ability to adequately monitor

Evaluating Where to Mine

  • Current approaches to defining “no go”
    • IUCN’s Amman resolution
    • Company-specific dialogues
    • OPIC/ financial institutions
  • How to Define “No Go”
    • Biodiversity hotspots?
    • Ecoregions?
    • Protected areas?
    • Impacts on community livelihoods?
    • Urgent need for criteria for private sector/

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