Mining Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which type of mining is used to extract shallow deposits?

Surface mining

Which type of mining is used to extract deep deposits?

Subsurface mining

What happens during surface mining?

Mechanized equipment strips away the overburden of soils and rock and usually discards it as waste material called spoils.

Which form of mining is more dangerous?

Subsurface Signup and view all the answers

What is open pit mining?

A form of surface mining where machines dig holes to remove ores such as iron and copper. Signup and view all the answers

What is dredging?

A form of surface mining where chain buckets and draglines scrape up underwater mineral deposits. Signup and view all the answers

What is strip mining?

A form of surface mining in which bulldozers, power shovels, or stripping wheels remove the overburden in strips. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the overburden in strip mining?

It is filled in the trench that the mineral deposit once filled, or left as spoil banks if not restored. Signup and view all the answers

What is contour strip mining?

It is used on hilly or mountainous terrain; a series of terraces are cut into the side of a hill. Signup and view all the answers

What is mountaintop removal?

The complete top of a mountain is removed to access the coal below. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977?

It requires mining companies to restore most surface-mined land to its previous use. Signup and view all the answers

What is subsurface mining?

A method that removes coal and metal ores from below the surface. Signup and view all the answers

What are some hazards of subsurface mining?

Cave-ins, explosions, and lung disease. Signup and view all the answers

What is room-and-pillar mining?

A form of underground mining where half the coal is left in place as pillars. Signup and view all the answers

What is longwall mining of coal?

A method where a narrow tunnel is dug and supported by movable metal pillars, which collapse after coal extraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is subsidence?

It occurs when the land collapses above an underground mine. Signup and view all the answers

What are some problems associated with mining?

Severe erosion, water pollution, toxic waste, and air pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What are some problems associated with extracting, processing, and using mineral resources?

It requires immense energy, causes land disturbance and pollution, and produces hazardous wastes. Signup and view all the answers

What is smelting?

A process done to separate metals from other elements in ore. Signup and view all the answers

What is cyanide-heap leaching?

An environmentally dangerous process used to extract gold from low-grade ore. Signup and view all the answers

When is mining damage often greatest?

Damage is greatest when mining for low-grade ores like gold. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there so little done by mining companies to reduce waste and pollution?

The costs of environmental cleanup are not accounted for in metals pricing. Signup and view all the answers

Do we ever run out of any mineral?

False Signup and view all the answers

What do we do when a mineral becomes economically depleted?

Recycle, reuse, waste less, find a substitute, or do without. Signup and view all the answers

What is depletion time?

The time it takes to use up 80% of the reserves of a mineral at a given rate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a depletion curve?

A projection used to estimate the depletion time for a resource. Signup and view all the answers

How can depletion time be extended?

By recycling, discovering new resources, reducing consumption, and setting higher prices. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if we find a substitute for a resource?

This leads to a new set of depletion curves for the resource. Signup and view all the answers

What can we learn from copper?

Copper ore grades have diminished over time while costs have remained lower. Signup and view all the answers

What limits the mining of low-grade ores?

Energy costs, water availability, environmental impact, and reclamation costs. Signup and view all the answers

What is in situ mining?

A method using microorganisms for mining while leaving the surrounding environment undisturbed. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major problem when mining seawater?

Chemical elements occur in low concentrations, making recovery unprofitable. Signup and view all the answers

What minerals are found near shore?

Sand, gravel, phosphates, sulfur, and various metals. Signup and view all the answers

What can be found near hydrothermal vents?

Rich deposits of gold, silver, zinc, and copper. Signup and view all the answers

Why don't we mine these hydrothermal deposits?

Current extraction costs are too high despite rich mineral concentrations. Signup and view all the answers

What are manganese nodules?

Mineral deposits on the ocean floor that may provide valuable metals. Signup and view all the answers

Why haven't we exploited the manganese nodules?

High costs and ownership disputes hinder development. Signup and view all the answers

Are ceramics better than metals?

True Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of composite materials increasing?

They are stronger, moldable, and cost-effective compared to metals. Signup and view all the answers

Why is nanotechnology significant?

It may allow the creation of products without depleting non-renewable resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872?

It was intended to encourage mineral exploration on public lands. Signup and view all the answers

What has happened under the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872?

Land has been bought cheaply and resold for profit without extraction. Signup and view all the answers

What are other travesties of the General Mining Law of 1872?

Foreign corporations exploit the law and U.S. taxpayers often bear cleanup costs. Signup and view all the answers

What would environmentalists like to see happen?

A ban on patenting public lands and stricter cleanup requirements. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mining Types and Techniques

Surface Mining: Extracts shallow deposits using mechanized equipment to remove soil and rock, discarding it as waste (spoils).
Subsurface Mining: Targets deep deposits; less land disturbance but more dangerous and costly.
Open Pit Mining: A surface mining technique that creates large holes to access ores like iron and copper, also used for sand and gravel.
Dredging: Involves underwater scraping with chain buckets and draglines to extract mineral deposits.
Strip Mining: Involves removing overburden in strips using bulldozers and power shovels, commonly for coal and some phosphate rock.
Contour Strip Mining: Used on hilly terrain; creates terraces for easier extraction of resources.
Mountaintop Removal: Involves removing entire mountain tops to access coal, damaging surrounding streams and valleys.

Mining Regulations and Issues

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977): Requires restoration of surface-mined land to its original use, imposing taxes for restoration.
Subsurface Mining Hazards: Risks include cave-ins, explosions, and lung diseases caused by hazardous mining conditions.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

Environmental Damage: Surface mining causes significant erosion, water pollution from toxic waste, and air pollution. Acid mine drainage can adversely affect aquatic life.
Economic Depletion: A mineral is considered economically depleted when extraction costs exceed potential profits, even if deposits remain.
Depletion Time: Refers to the time needed to consume 80% of mineral reserves at a specified usage rate.

Resource Alternatives and Mining Innovations

Recycling: Essential for managing resource depletion, alongside finding substitutes and improving efficiency in extraction methods.
Nanotechnology: Represents a future potential for product creation that preserves nonrenewable resources.
In Situ Mining: Utilizes microorganisms for mining, minimizing land disturbance and reducing environmental pollution.

Future of Mining and Minerals

Mining Seawater: Low concentrations of most elements render extracting from seawater energetically and economically unfeasible.
Manganese Nodules: Potential future sources of manganese, characterized by high extraction costs and international ownership disputes.
Hydrothermal Deposits: Rich in precious metals but hindering extraction due to high costs.

Legislative and Corporate Practices

U.S. General Mining Law of 1872: Encouraged mineral development post-Civil War but allowed cheap land acquisition for profit without actual mining.
Corporate Malpractices: Profiteering from public lands without adhering to responsible mining practices often shifts cleanup costs to taxpayers.
Environmental Advocacy: Calls for stricter mining regulations, including banning land patenting, imposing royalties, and enforcing clean-up mandates.

Innovative Materials

Ceramics vs. Metals: Ceramics are stronger and longer-lasting than many metals, with potential for high-temperature superconductivity in the future.
Composite Materials: These are increasingly used due to their strength, versatility, low cost, and the fact they do not require painting.

Summary of Resource Management

Ensuring sustainable practices in mining and resource extraction is crucial for reducing environmental impact and managing future mineral availability.

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Description

Test your knowledge about different types of mining with these flashcards. Learn about surface and subsurface mining and the processes involved in each method. Perfect for students studying geology or mining engineering.