Mining Methods
What is surface mining?
Surface mining is a method for extracting minerals near the Earth's surface by removing the soil and rock above them. Common types include open-pit mining, strip mining, and mountaintop removal, and it is often more cost-effective than underground mining because of easier access to deposits
What is one negative environmental impact of mining?
Some of the negative impacts of mining are loss of vegetation cover, mass destruction of water bodies, loss of biodiversity, land-use changes and food insecurity, increased social vices and conflicts, high cost of living, and air pollution.
How does mining contribute to the economy?
Mining contributes to the economy by providing essential raw materials for nearly every industry, generating high-paying jobs, and stimulating economic activity through taxes and local spending.
How can mining impact local communities?
Mining can impact local communities both positively and negatively, bringing potential economic benefits like jobs and higher wages, but also causing significant negative effects such as environmental degradation, pollution, health issues, and social disruption.
What is the purpose of mining regulations?
The purpose of mining regulations is to protect the environment and public safety while ensuring a sustainable supply of minerals.
Name two mined material presented in class
Marble, granite, gypsum, coal, platinum, titanium, molybdenum, etc
Name one type of underground mining.
Room-and-pillar, longwall, block caving, and cut-and-fill
How can mining operations affect local water sources?
Mining operations can harm local water sources through contamination from acid mine drainage and chemicals, increased erosion and sedimentation, and depletion of surface and groundwater supplies.
What is one cost associated with starting a mining operation?
One major cost of starting a mining operation is the capital expenditure for equipment and infrastructure, such as purchasing heavy machinery and constructing roads, processing plants, and other facilities. Other significant costs include land acquisition, permits and licenses, exploration, and labor.
What is one social benefit of mining?
One social benefit of mining is employment and its contribution to local economic growth, which can lead to reduced poverty and improved community well-being.
Name one federal agency that regulates mining in the U.S.
Name one mined material used in construction.
Granite, marble, gypsum
What is the primary benefit of open-pit mining?
The primary benefit of open-pit mining is its cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.
What is a benefit of using environmentally friendly mining techniques?
The primary benefit of using environmentally friendly mining techniques is reduced environmental impact and long-term sustainability.
How can mining create jobs in a community?
Mining creates jobs in a community by providing direct employment in mining operations and indirectly through a multiplier effect. This includes high-paying jobs like geologists, engineers, and technicians, as well as jobs in supporting sectors like transportation, manufacturing, and services. Mining also stimulates local economic activity through procurement of goods and services and development of infrastructure like roads and schools.
Describe a potential conflict that can arise between mining companies and local residents.
A common conflict is the environmental and resource impact on local communities, particularly concerning water use, contamination, and land displacement for mining operations. Other conflicts arise from economic issues like unfair compensation and the inequitable distribution of benefits, as well as social concerns such as the infringement on human and indigenous rights, lack of communication, and perceived unfair hiring practices.
How can government policies impact mining operations?
Government policies impact mining operations through regulations, permitting, taxes, environmental and safety laws, and political risk.
Name on mined material that conducts electricity.
Copper, silver, gold, aluminum
Describe a disadvantage of strip mining.
The main disadvantages of strip mining include severe environmental damage like habitat destruction, deforestation, and soil erosion.
Explain how mining can lead to habitat destruction.
Mining leads to habitat destruction through direct removal of vegetation and topsoil, which displaces or kills wildlife. It also causes habitat fragmentation by building roads and other infrastructure, which further isolates wildlife populations and opens up areas to other forms of deforestation. Additionally, mining can degrade habitats through pollution, which contaminates water and soil, and through altering natural drainage patterns, leading to erosion and sedimentation in nearby water bodies.
What are the potential economic benefits of mineral extraction?
Mineral extraction offers significant economic benefits by creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and providing raw materials essential for industrial and infrastructure development.
What role do indigenous communities play in mining discussions?
Indigenous communities play a crucial role in mining discussions by advocating for their rights, contributing traditional knowledge, and actively participating in project governance and decision-making.
What is the significance of obtaining mining permits?
These permits allow for responsible resource extraction by requiring a detailed plan of operations that includes mitigating negative impacts on the environment and communities, such as erosion, pollution, and land degradation.
What is one type of mine you learned about?
Open pit, strip mine, mountain top removal, hard rock, in situ leaching, dredging, subsurface mining
How does placer mining differ from hard rock mining?
Placer mining extracts minerals from loose sand and gravel, typically using water and gravity to separate the materials, while hard rock mining extracts minerals directly from solid rock, often using explosives.
What are some long-term environmental costs associated with mining?
Long-term environmental costs of mining include persistent water and soil pollution from acid mine drainage and heavy metals, long-lasting habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity, and land subsidence. Other consequences are air quality degradation from dust and emissions and climate change from greenhouse gas emissions and land-use changes.
Discuss the risks of relying too heavily on mining revenues for a local economy.
Relying heavily on mining revenue creates economic instability due to commodity price fluctuations, which can cause revenue to be volatile and unpredictable. It also risks environmental degradation, such as deforestation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, which can harm the local community's health and livelihoods. Additionally, a singular focus on mining can lead to the neglect of other sectors, creating a "resource curse" where the economy fails to diversify, and can exacerbate social divisions and health problems in the community, especially if local people are not consulted.
How can mining operations affect the health of nearby populations?
Mining operations can harm nearby populations through air and water pollution, leading to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular and cancer risks, and other chronic diseases. Exposure to heavy metals and other toxins in contaminated air and water is a major concern, affecting everything from drinking water to agricultural land, which can cause a wide range of adverse health outcomes for residents.
Discuss the balance between mining development and regulatory compliance.
The balance between mining development and regulatory compliance involves managing a company's economic objectives with its legal obligations for safety, environmental protection, and social responsibility. This requires significant investment from mining companies, but striking the right balance ensures long-term sustainability by preventing costly penalties, fostering community trust, and driving innovation in safer and more efficient practices.
What was you favorite mined material you learned about, but not your own