Surface Mining Methods Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between surface mining and underground mining?

  • Surface mining involves extracting minerals through shafts, while underground mining involves removing overburden
  • Surface mining uses heavy equipment, while underground mining uses manual labor
  • Surface mining is practiced in North America, while underground mining is practiced in Europe
  • Overburden is removed in surface mining, while it is left in place in underground mining (correct)

What heavy equipment is commonly used to remove overburden in surface mining?

  • Excavators with buckets
  • Manual shovels
  • Earthmovers (correct)
  • Bulldozers

When did the use of surface mining begin in North America?

  • Mid-16th century (correct)
  • Early 19th century
  • Late 20th century
  • Early 18th century

What are the advantages of surface mining over underground mining?

<p>Lower cost and greater safety (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which large machines are commonly used to extract minerals in surface mining?

<p>Dragline excavators (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of drilling and blasting in mining and civil engineering?

<p>To break rock for excavation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are higher velocity explosives used in relatively hard rock?

<p>To shatter and break the rock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for using low velocity explosives in soft rocks?

<p>To generate more gas pressure and a greater heaving effect (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the most commonly used explosives in mining today?

<p>ANFO based blends (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technology has reduced the reliance on drilling and blasting in certain excavation projects?

<p>Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of drilling and blasting in mining and civil engineering?

<p>To break rock for excavation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are higher velocity explosives used for relatively hard rock?

<p>To shatter and break the rock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the most commonly used explosives in mining today?

<p>ANFO based blends (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before the advent of tunnel boring machines (TBMs), what was the primary method for excavation?

<p>Drilling and blasting (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of rock blasting in mining and civil engineering?

<p>Rock cut (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Surface vs. Underground Mining

Surface mining removes the overburden, while underground mining leaves it in place.

Overburden Removal Equipment

Earthmovers are commonly used to remove overburden in surface mining.

Surface Mining Era

Mid-16th century marked the beginning of surface mining in North America.

Surface Mining Advantages

Surface mining offers advantages such as lower costs and greater safety compared to underground mining.

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Mineral Extraction Machines

Dragline excavators are large machines used to extract minerals in surface mining.

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Purpose of Drilling & Blasting

Drilling and blasting breaks rock for excavation in mining and civil engineering.

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Explosives for Hard Rock

Higher velocity explosives shatter hard rock.

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Explosives for Soft Rock

Low velocity explosives generate gas pressure to heave soft rocks.

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Common Mining Explosives

ANFO based blends are the most commonly used explosives in mining today.

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TBM Technology

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) have reduced the need for drilling and blasting.

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Drilling and Blasting Goal

To break rock for excavation

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Hard Rock Explosives

To shatter and break the rock

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Mining Explosives

ANFO based blends

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Excavation Methods

Drilling and blasting

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Rock Blasting Result

Rock cut

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Study Notes

Surface Mining vs Underground Mining

  • Surface mining involves extracting minerals from the earth's surface, whereas underground mining involves extracting minerals from beneath the earth's surface.

Surface Mining Equipment

  • Heavy equipment commonly used to remove overburden in surface mining includes hydraulic excavators, draglines, and bucket-wheel excavators.

History of Surface Mining

  • The use of surface mining began in North America in the mid-16th century.

Advantages of Surface Mining

  • Surface mining has several advantages over underground mining, including lower costs, increased safety, and higher productivity.

Surface Mining Machinery

  • Large machines commonly used to extract minerals in surface mining include hydraulic excavators, draglines, and bucket-wheel excavators.

Drilling and Blasting

  • The primary purpose of drilling and blasting in mining and civil engineering is to break up rock formations to facilitate excavation.

Explosives in Mining

  • Higher velocity explosives are used in relatively hard rock to increase the efficiency of blasting.
  • Low velocity explosives are used in soft rocks to minimize damage to the surrounding rock.
  • The most commonly used explosives in mining today are ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) and emulsion explosives.

Alternative Excavation Technologies

  • The technology that has reduced the reliance on drilling and blasting in certain excavation projects is tunnel boring machines (TBMs).

Pre-TBM Excavation Methods

  • Before the advent of tunnel boring machines (TBMs), the primary method for excavation was drilling and blasting.

Rock Blasting

  • The result of rock blasting in mining and civil engineering is the fragmentation of rock into smaller pieces, making it easier to excavate.

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