Mining

It’s a mineral if it…

• Is naturally occurring• Is an inorganic compound• Has specific physical and chemical

properties (melting point, density, hardness)

Minerals are non-renewable

• Resources are mineral deposits that are presumed to exist

• Reserves are known to exist and are economically exploitable– Strategic reserves are stock piled by

government for emergency use (?)

• The most accessible deposits are already being used

What are our options when high grade ores are depleted?

• exploit lower grade ores (costs more, more environmental impact)

• recycle, reuse• Find substitutes or do without

Environmental Impacts

• Exploration is not totally benign• activities can fragment and destroy habitat and

cause physical changes in land, soil, water

Subsurface mining

• more dangerous to miners, but less damaging to environment

Surface mining

• strip mining, mountaintop removal • more profitable • less dangerous for workers…• …but more environmentally

destructive

Acid Mine Drainage

• sulfides from deposits can contaminate surface and ground water

Problems

• Written for "pick and shovel" miners, not modern mining techniques

• Subsidizes large mining companies, they keep all profits from mines

• Many more people live in the West now and are exposed to contamination

• When companies declare bankruptcy, taxpayers must pay for cleanup

• Mining practices can undermine environmental protection

• Make amendments!

Social Impact

• Bust and boom economy

• Original influx of people stretches local services

• When mines close communities are abandoned

Surface Mine Reclamation Act of 1977

• Federal law that requires reclamation of coal mines. Some states require mineral mine reclamation

General Mining Act of 1872

• Designed to promote development and economy out West

• Opened public land to prospecting and mining.

• Land can be explored and minerals extracted for $5/acre

• Miners do not pay royalties