Surface Mining Mechanical Extraction Methods Quiz

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Match the mining method with its description:

Highwall Mining = Recovery of coal under the highwall using highwall miner Auger Mining = Recovery of coal under the highwall using auger Continuous Mining System = Use of heavy equipment to remove overburden and extract coal Surface Miner mining method = Loosening, crushing, and loading rock onto transportation system

Match the mining method with its production rate and advancement distance under the highwall:

Highwall Mining = 50% recovery, more than 360m advancement Auger Mining = 35% recovery, 90m advancement Continuous Mining System = Not applicable for highwall extraction Surface Miner mining method = Not applicable for highwall extraction

Match the mining method with its primary function for extraction:

Highwall Mining = Determining hole width, pillar width, and coal left between holes Auger Mining = Recovering coal under the highwall using auger Continuous Mining System = Using heavy equipment to remove overburden and extract coal Surface Miner mining method = Loosening, crushing, and loading rock onto transportation system

Match the mining method with its suitability for varying seam thickness and cost efficiency:

Highwall Mining = Adjustable to varying seam thickness, lower unit cost Auger Mining = Not easily adjustable, higher unit cost Continuous Mining System = Suitable for varying seam thickness, cost-efficient Surface Miner mining method = Not adjustable to varying seam thickness, moderate unit cost Signup and view all the answers

Match the following surface mining methods with their descriptions:

Open-pit Quarrying = Surface mining method involving the extraction of materials from an open excavation Placer mining = Aqueous surface mining method involving the extraction of minerals from alluvial deposits using water pressure Auger mining = Mechanical extraction method used to recover coal seams under the highwall by boring horizontally into the coal seam Hydraulic mining = Aqueous surface mining method involving the use of high-pressure water jets to dislodge rock or move sediment Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concerns with the corresponding disadvantages of auger mining:

Reserve recovery = About 65% of the coal reserve remains in place and is difficult to recover Environmental impact = Creation of drainage holes for acid-laden water and potential surface subsidence and spontaneous combustion Economic limit = Used as a secondary recovery technique after reaching the economic limit due to increasingly high strip ratios Coal recovery = Recovery of around one-third of the coal under the highwall at a low cost Signup and view all the answers

Match the following surface mining techniques with their primary usage:

Strip (open-cast) mining = Surface mining method involving the removal of overlying rock and soil to access mineral deposits Dredging = Aqueous surface mining method involving the extraction of materials from underwater deposits using a floating machine In-situ leaching = Aqueous surface mining method involving the extraction of minerals by dissolving them in place and pumping the solution Evaporite processing = Aqueous surface mining method involving the extraction of minerals from evaporated water bodies Signup and view all the answers

Match the following surface mining methods with their primary recovery technique:

Strip (open-cast) mining = Primary recovery technique for surface mining involving the removal of overlying rock and soil Placer mining = Primary recovery technique for aqueous surface mining involving the extraction of minerals from alluvial deposits using water pressure Solution mining = Primary recovery technique for aqueous surface mining involving the extraction of minerals by dissolving them in place and pumping the solution Auger mining = Secondary recovery technique for surface mining used to recover coal seams under the highwall by boring horizontally into the coal seam Signup and view all the answers