MiningEnviro 2 Go

6.3.3.3

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

Mining

Important Vocabulary:

• Surface mining• Subsurface mining• Subsidence• Reclamation

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

Types of Mining

• Subsurface Mining– Longwall– Solution

• Surface Mining– Coal mining– Quarrying– Solar evaporation

• Placer Mining

• Smelting

• Undersea Mining

Subsurface Mining

Longwall Mining

Solution Mining

Mining Beneath the Earth’s Surface

Surface Mining

Coal Mining Quarrying

Solar Evaporation used for salt mining

Used when deposits are located close to Earth’s surface

Placer Mining Mineral deposits that are concentrated by

wind and water into surface deposits

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

Undersea MiningMining minerals from within the ocean floor

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

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

Reclamation

• The process of returning land to its original or better condition after mining is completed

Mining Video

West Virginia Mining

Remember This!!!

• Subsidence is the sinking of the land

• Reclamation is returning the land to its original condition or better after mining

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?