Mining If it’s not grown, it’s mined.

2050

What kinds of things are mined? Mineral resource – a naturally occurring material from earth’s crust that can be extracted and processed into raw materials Energy resources: coal, uranium, natural gas and oil Ore – a rock containing a large enough concentration of a particular mineral Minerals: gold, copper, silver, iron, bauxite

Mining energy resources Oil wells – Ocean well Ocean well Tar sands – Tar Sand oil Tar Sand oil – Tar sands - concerns Tar sands - concerns Hydraulic Fracturing – hydraulic fracturing hydraulic fracturing

Mining ores Every deposit of ore in the world is unique. Tiny grains of ore minerals are scattered within what is called “host rock.” If there is far more host rock than there are minerals, it is known as a low-grade ore deposit. For every ton of ore only about 10.6 pounds of copper are removed For every ton of ore removed, about two tons of overburden must first be removed to gain access to the ore.

Mining Techniques Surface mining Open-pit mining – machines dig large holes to remove metal ores. Open Pit Copper Mine Open Pit Copper Mine Strip mining – the overburden is removed and a power shovel removes the mineral ore Contour strip mining Mountaintop removal Underground mining – underground mineral ores are removed through a series of tunnels and shafts Coal Mine

Impacts of Mining Scarring and disruption of land surface

Strip mining creates spoils banks which easily erode.

Mountaintop removal Rock and dirt is plowed into the valleys below, destroys forests and buries streams

Dust and air pollution Habitat destruction

Acid Mine Drainage

Safety hazards Mine cave ins landslides; Gases and dust

Efforts to reduce CO 2 Carbon Capture and Storage