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Questions and Answers
What is an ore primarily identified by?
What is an ore primarily identified by?
What is the initial stage of mining that involves searching for mineralization called?
What is the initial stage of mining that involves searching for mineralization called?
Why do most exploration projects not progress to establish a mine?
Why do most exploration projects not progress to establish a mine?
What factor does NOT contribute to the commercial viability of a mining project?
What factor does NOT contribute to the commercial viability of a mining project?
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Which method is NOT typically used by mineral explorers for large area surveying?
Which method is NOT typically used by mineral explorers for large area surveying?
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What percentage of exploration projects typically results in establishing a mine?
What percentage of exploration projects typically results in establishing a mine?
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What is the purpose of the prospection stage in mineral exploration?
What is the purpose of the prospection stage in mineral exploration?
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Which mineral is bauxite primarily used to produce?
Which mineral is bauxite primarily used to produce?
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What is a significant reason why surface mining is often preferred by mining companies?
What is a significant reason why surface mining is often preferred by mining companies?
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Which two principal minerals are primarily extracted using strip mining?
Which two principal minerals are primarily extracted using strip mining?
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What is a key feature of open-pit mining that distinguishes it from other mining methods?
What is a key feature of open-pit mining that distinguishes it from other mining methods?
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Which method of underground mining is noted for being one of the safest and oldest?
Which method of underground mining is noted for being one of the safest and oldest?
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Which of the following methods is typically used to separate valuable materials such as gold?
Which of the following methods is typically used to separate valuable materials such as gold?
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What potential risk is associated with underground mining operations?
What potential risk is associated with underground mining operations?
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Which type of mining involves cutting benches to extract minerals from the sides of a pit?
Which type of mining involves cutting benches to extract minerals from the sides of a pit?
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What common safety hazard is linked to the failure of ventilation systems in mining operations?
What common safety hazard is linked to the failure of ventilation systems in mining operations?
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What process involves changing the surface properties of valuable minerals to allow them to attach to air bubbles?
What process involves changing the surface properties of valuable minerals to allow them to attach to air bubbles?
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What is reclamation in the context of mining?
What is reclamation in the context of mining?
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Which of the following is NOT a step that must be proven to obtain a mining permit?
Which of the following is NOT a step that must be proven to obtain a mining permit?
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What happens to air bubbles in the flotation process?
What happens to air bubbles in the flotation process?
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What is the importance of planting native plants during reclamation?
What is the importance of planting native plants during reclamation?
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What mineral resource concept highlights the need for caution in their use due to their non-renewable status?
What mineral resource concept highlights the need for caution in their use due to their non-renewable status?
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What method can be utilized to create a lake post-mining?
What method can be utilized to create a lake post-mining?
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What was a notable aspect of the Masbate Gold Project's rehabilitation efforts?
What was a notable aspect of the Masbate Gold Project's rehabilitation efforts?
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What is the primary benefit of conducting geological sampling at outcrops and showings?
What is the primary benefit of conducting geological sampling at outcrops and showings?
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Which of the following describes what indicator minerals signify?
Which of the following describes what indicator minerals signify?
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What is the purpose of using diamond drills during late-stage exploration?
What is the purpose of using diamond drills during late-stage exploration?
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In late-stage exploration, how does the focus of the exploration program change?
In late-stage exploration, how does the focus of the exploration program change?
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What key facilities are typically built during the development phase of a mining project?
What key facilities are typically built during the development phase of a mining project?
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What is a significant characteristic of the initial drilling phase in exploration?
What is a significant characteristic of the initial drilling phase in exploration?
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What is one of the primary roles of management offices in a mining operation?
What is one of the primary roles of management offices in a mining operation?
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Why do mining companies prefer surface mining?
Why do mining companies prefer surface mining?
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Study Notes
Ore Minerals
- Ore is a rock containing a concentration of valuable minerals, metals, or non-metallic materials that can be mined profitably.
- Ores are identified by their overall chemical composition, extractable resource percentage, and market value.
- Bauxite is a rock containing minerals used to make aluminum.
Mining Stages
- Exploration: Searching for evidence of mineral deposits.
- Development and Construction: Building infrastructure like roads, processing facilities, and employee housing.
- Commercial Operation: Producing commercial quantities of minerals.
- Rehabilitation: Restoring the mined area to its natural state.
Mineral Exploration Stages
- Early Stage Exploration: Prospectors use aerial surveys, ground mapping, geophysics, and geochemistry to find clues of mineral deposits.
- Late Stage Exploration: Drilling to sample rock at different depths to determine the quantity and potential economic value of minerals.
Surface Mining
- Preferred by mining companies due to its cost-effectiveness and safety.
- Strip Mining: Used for extracting coal and lignite, involving area stripping and contour stripping.
- Open-pit Mining: Used for extracting copper, gold, iron, and non-metallic minerals, involving digging a pit and removing ore in circular steps called benches.
Underground Mining
- Room and Pillar Method: Also known as continuous mining, this is considered one of the safest and oldest methods of mining, where pillars of coal are left standing to support the mine.
Mineral Separation
- Density Separation: Panning involves mixing ore with water and shaking it to separate the denser minerals from the lighter ones.
- Floatation: Chemicals are added to change the surface properties of valuable minerals, allowing air bubbles to attach to them.
- Magnetic Separation: Minerals are separated based on their magnetic properties.
Rehabilitation
- Before receiving a mining permit, companies must provide plans and funding for safe mine closure.
- Mine areas are restored to their natural state, including removing waste and hazardous materials, establishing new landforms, and planting native vegetation.
Mining Impacts
- Mining provides valuable resources but can be hazardous to people and the environment.
- Responsible mining practices are essential for minimizing environmental damage, ensuring safety, and effectively restoring the mined areas.
- Many ore deposits are non-renewable resources, emphasizing the importance of wise use and sustainable mining practices.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of ore minerals and the various stages of mining, from exploration to rehabilitation. It delves into the processes involved in identifying and extracting valuable minerals, including methods used in both early and late stage exploration. Test your knowledge on these critical aspects of the mining industry.
