16 Questions
What is the key difference between surface mining and underground mining?
Surface mining is not selective, extracting both ore and waste, while underground mining is selective, extracting the ore and leaving waste in place.
What is the approximate cost per tonne for surface mining, excluding processing?
$2-$5
What percentage of the mined ore in Canada was obtained via underground mining in 2002?
16%
Why do many mines start on the surface and then go underground as they get deeper?
To justify the cost of underground mining, high grade must be mined.
What is Canada's leading mineral in terms of production?
Potash
Which location in Canada holds one of the world's largest nickel deposits?
Sudbury
What determines the extent of an ore body?
Cut-off grade
Which of the following is a crucial aspect of underground mining?
Ventilation
What does natural support in mines involve?
Leaving portions of ore or waste in place as pillars
What is the purpose of artificial support in mines?
Consolidating roof strata with steel bolts
What are the main activities encompassed in underground mining?
Development and production drilling, loading with explosives and blasting, and ventilation
What is the purpose of the intake shaft system in underground mines?
To bring in fresh air and ensure proper airflow
What does the Mining Optimization Laboratory provide insights into?
Mining terminology, activities, and support systems
What does ore refer to in the context of mining?
Valuable minerals that can be mined at a profit
What is the primary mineral for which Canada is a top producer?
Potash
What is the main function of ventilation in underground mining?
Necessary for loading and hauling, scaling, rock support, backfilling, and blasting
Study Notes
Underground Mining and Mineral Production: Key Points
- Canada is a top-five global producer of 10 major minerals and metals, leading in potash and ranking high in uranium, diamond, titanium, platinum group metals, cadmium, aluminum, nickel, graphite, and gold.
- Sudbury, Canada, holds one of the world's largest nickel deposits, with historic production and current reserves exceeding US$300 billion.
- Ore is valuable minerals that can be mined at a profit, and the extent of an ore body is determined by the cut-off grade, below which mining is uneconomic.
- Mining terminology includes definitions for orebody, vein, host rock, and dyke, as well as concepts like dip, strike, hanging wall, footwall, development, shaft, portal, adit, and tunnel.
- Other mining terms include ramp, collar, drift, crosscut, face, draw point, ore pass, raise, sump, crown pillar, sill/floor pillar, cage, skip, hoist, and stope.
- Ventilation is a crucial aspect of underground mining, necessary for loading and hauling, scaling, rock support, backfilling, and blasting.
- Natural support in mines involves leaving portions of ore or waste in place as pillars to prevent openings from failing, with various types of pillars serving different support functions.
- Artificial support in mines is introduced after excavation and includes methods like rock bolting to consolidate roof strata with steel bolts.
- Underground mining activities encompass development and production drilling, loading with explosives and blasting, ventilation, loading and hauling, scaling, rock support, and backfilling.
- Fresh air raise and exhaust air raise are part of the intake shaft system used in underground mines to bring in fresh air and ensure proper airflow.
- Mining Optimization Laboratory provides detailed insights into mining terminology, activities, and support systems.
- The text offers comprehensive explanations of key mining terms and activities, providing a detailed overview of underground mining operations and mineral production.
Test your knowledge of underground mining and mineral production with this quiz. Learn about key mining terms, activities, support systems, and major mineral production in Canada. Challenge yourself with questions on ore bodies, ventilation, support methods, and mining terminology.
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