1. Getting At Our Wanted Minerals MINING

2. Steps to Mining 1. Prospecting For Minerals 2. Developing the Mine

3. Prospecting for minerals Study rock samples They have found some minerals are found in areas with specific rock types Some methods of prospecting: digging wholes, or using magnetic and helicopters

4. The Mine 1. Obtain the rights 2. Protecting the environment 3. Build the mine A) underground B) open-pit mining 4. Refining the Ore 5. Dealing with waste 6. Reclamation

5. Developing the Mine Obtaining the Rights - must buy and own the land before you can mine Get permission or legally buy it from owner

6. Developing the Mine Protecting the Environment - many countries require proof that miners will not destroy the environment BEFORE they allow them to mine Must complete an Environmental Assessment – a study of what the mine will do to the : land, air, wildlife, people and the ecosystem Study must show mining will be safe and environmentally friendly

7. Developing the Mine Building the Mine Two main ways: 1.Underground Mining -Dig vertical shaft down into earth -Broken ore carried out on elevators -Used when ore is far below the surface 2. Open-pit Mining -Used when ore is near top of earth -The rock that covers the ore is removed -Heavy equipment is then used to dig out the ore -Even mountains have disappeared from this form of mining

8. Refining The Ore - useful materials must be separated from waste rock This process is called beneficiation Some minerals are separated by melting, others by chemical reactions

9. Dealing with waste Lots of left over material called tailings Valuable or can take up as little as 2%, leaving 98% of useless rock leftovers Some ways of dealing with this: put dirt back in mines, or in giant piles nearby One danger is dangerous chemicals that could leak into ground

10. Reclamation Mining scars the earth After mining it is important to return the earth back to a useable piece of earth Some ways: planting trees, making into parks, used for grazing for animals, or for recreation