1. Mining Enviro 2 Go 6.3.3.3

2. Mining Objectives- You should be able to: Describe several methods of mining Describe important potential environmental consequences of mining Define reclamation Describe mining laws and regulations

3. Mining Important Vocabulary: Surface mining Subsurface mining Subsidence Reclamation

4. Why Do We Mine? Almost every solid object you see is made of minerals We mine to extract minerals and elements from the earth –Examples: quartz, aluminum, gold, silver, salt, zinc, coal

5. Types of Mining Subsurface Mining –Longwall –Solution Surface Mining –Coal mining –Quarrying –Solar evaporation Placer Mining Smelting Undersea Mining

6. Subsurface Mining Longwall Mining Solution Mining Mining Beneath the Earth’s Surface

7. Surface Mining Coal MiningQuarrying Solar Evaporation used for salt mining Used when deposits are located close to Earth’s surface

8. Placer Mining Mineral deposits that are concentrated by wind and water into surface deposits

9. Smelting Melting crushed ore at high temperatures in furnaces to separate impurities from metals

10. Undersea Mining Mining minerals from within the ocean floor

11. Environmental Impacts Air and noise pollution Water contamination Displacement of wildlife Erosion and Sedimentation Soil Degradation Subsidence – sinking of land over abandoned mines Underground fires

12. Mining Regulations Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 –Created regulations –Set standards –Created fund for reclamation Mining companies must obtain permits from state environmental agencies before mining –Permits specify standards for mine design and reclamation

13. Reclamation The process of returning land to its original or better condition after mining is completed

14. Mining Video West Virginia Mining

15. Remember This!!! Subsidence is the sinking of the land Reclamation is returning the land to its original condition or better after mining

16. Mining Quiz 1.What do we mine and why is it important? 2.What are the two main types of mining? 3.Name three environmental impacts of mining? 4.What is subsidence? 5.What is reclamation?