1. Mining

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 Surface Mining Placer Mining
Longwall
Solution
Surface Mining
Coal mining
Quarrying
Solar evaporation
Placer Mining
Smelting
Undersea Mining

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

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

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. Mining minerals from within the ocean floor
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. Remember This!!! Subsidence is the sinking of the land
Reclamation is returning the land to its original condition or better after mining

15. Mining Quiz What do we mine and why is it important?
What are the two main types of mining?
Name three environmental impacts of mining?
What is subsidence?
What is reclamation?