1. MINING: The process of obtaining mineral resources from the Earth

2. Do Now What are examples of resources we extract from the earth?
How do we get those resources out of the earth so we can use them?

3. What do we mine? Coal!!! Salt Sulfur Granite Marble Sand Gravel Gold
Copper
Iron
Diamonds
Gemstones, other minerals

4. Why do we mine? Energy- coal, oil, natural gas, uranium
Technology- metals for electronics
Infrastructure- rocks, gravel, metals
Agriculture- minerals for fertilizers
Luxury- diamonds, gold, sapphires, rubies, etc.

5. Mining Methods Surface Mining Sub-Surface
Digging down from the surface
Cut small “shafts” into earth and excavate from within

6. Surface Mining: Open Pit Mining
Used when minerals are close to the surface
Mined from top downward in layers
Ore pulled out via trucks
Gold and Copper can be mined this way
The El Chino mine located near Silver City, New Mexico is an open-pit copper mine.

7. Surface Mining: Strip Mining
A long strip of soil and rock is removed and the mineral seam is exposed
This layer of removed soil is called the overburden
Used for mining coal.
Overburden layer can be replaced once the mineral has been taken out of the ground

8. Surface Mining: Quarrying
Rocks such as marble and granite can be mined this way
Construction Materials such as sand, gravel and stone can also be mined this way
An abandoned construction aggregate quarry near Adelaide, South Australia

9. Surface Mining: Solar Evaporation
Salty Sea water is placed into very shallow artificial ponds.
The salt water slowly evaporates and salt crystals form
30% of our Salt comes from this process
Most common in dry climates…why???
A salt pan worker in a salt evaporation pond in Tamil Nadu, India

10. Subsurface Mining: Room-and-Pillar Mining
“Rooms” are cut into seams of coal
Pillars of ore are left standing to support the ceiling
When all possible ore is extracted from the rooms, the pillars are then removed and the land above collapses

11. Subsurface Mining: Longwall Mining
A machine (a shearer) cuts and scrapes coal from the wall of a coal seam
The coal drops onto a conveyor belt
The ceiling next to the machine is held up by roof supports and as the machine advances into the coal seam the roof collapses

12. Subsurface Mining: Solution Mining
Hot water is injected into the mineral deposit through a well
The mineral water mixture is then pumped to the surface

13. Mining Regulations & Mine Reclamation

14. Environmental Impacts of Mining
What are some environmental impacts
associated with mining?
Be ready to explain your answers or provide examples.

15. Environmental Impacts of Mining
Air and noise pollution
Water pollution
Displacement of wildlife
Erosion and sedimentation
Soil degradation
Subsidence
Because the environmental impacts are so great, mining is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the US!

16. Air and Noise Pollution
Dust is produced by removing, loading, hauling, and dumping soil and overburden (stuff on top of ore)
Dust is also produced from ore blasting
Noise is created by equipment and blasting

17. Air and Noise Pollution Regulation
Most surface mines are NOT located near urban populations
Regulations in US forbid mining operations to allow dust or noise to exit the area being mined

18. Water Contamination
Water that seeps into mines or through piles of rock can pick up or dissolve toxic substances
Containments can then wash into streams where they can harm or kill aquatic life
Think!
What do you think happens when water is contaminated with a
mineral like sulfur?
What regulations do you think exist to combat water
contamination?

19. Water Contamination & Regulation
Minerals that contain a lot of sulfur and react with oxygen and water to produce dilute sulfuric acid
Contaminated water from this process is called Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)
Regulations in the US require companies to dispose of acid-producing rock in landfill or in ways that prevent water contamination

20. Displacement of wildlife
Removing soil from a surface mine site strips away all plant life.
Without plants, animals will leave the area.
Dredging disturbs river bottoms and destroys aquatic plant life. (Example: gold and silver)
Think!
What do you think happens when soil is returned to a surface
mine site?

21. Displacement of wildlife
When the soil is returned to the site different plants and animals may establish themselves, creating a new ecosystem.
Think!- Would this be primary or secondary succession?

22. Erosion and Sedimentation
Excess rock from mines is dumped into large piles called dumps.
Running water erodes unprotected dumps and may harm water quality and aquatic life

23. Soil Degradation
Soil at a mine is removed from the uppermost layer downward.
Soil must be stored in layers with the upper layers stored above lower layers.
Think!
What do you think happens if the soil is not removed and
stored properly?

24. Soil Degradation
Soil must be removed and stored properly or it can be depleted of nutrients when it is reclaimed.
Deeper soil layers may also contain sulfur.
Think!
What might happens to sulfur compounds in the soil?
How might this affect plant growth?

25. Subsidence
The sinking of regions of ground with little or no horizontal movement.
Caused when pillars in a mine collapse or the mine roof or floor fails
Think!
What are some hazards that may result from subsidence?

26. Subsidence
Buildings, houses, roads, bridges, underground pipelines and utilities may be damaged
- Explosions, fires
Loss of wildlife or human life

27. Underground Mine Fires
Fires in underground coal seams are one of the most serious environmental consequences of coal mining
Lightning, forest fires and burning trash can cause coal-seam fires.
Centralia, PA. – still burning since 1962
Think!
What are some of the problems with underground mine fires?

28. Underground Mine Fires
These fires are hard to put out and often left to burn out (which may take decades).
They release smoke and gasses that can cause respiratory problems.

30. Mining Regulations
Mining is the most heavily regulated industry in the US.
Mines on land in the US are regulated by federal and state laws.
States must issue permits for mining, run inspections, and address noncompliance.
Think!
What federal regulations exist to control negative impacts mining has on the environment?

31. Mining Regulations The Clean Water Act &The Safe Drinking Water Act
The Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act
regulates the release of hazardous substances into air, soil, & water
The Endangered Species Act
protects threatened & endangered species and their habitats

32. Reclamation
Reclaiming the land or returning it to its original or better condition after mining.
Billions of dollars are spent to clean up abandoned mines.
The Surface Mining control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA)
Set standards to minimize the effects of coal mining on environment
Established funds used to reclaim land and water resources adversely affected by mining

33. Mine Reclamation
Before
After

34. Before
After

35. After
Before

36. Lessening impact: The 3 R’s of Mining
Reduce the amount of waste you produce (use less stuff)
Reuse materials in the waste stream as much as possible
Maximize Recycling opportunities

37. Mining Video Clips
- Surface Mining: Open pit Mining
-Underground Mining