Methods of Extraction

• Surface mining – opencast mining, open pit

mining, strip mining,
• Sub surface mining includes deep cast mining
and shaft mining
• Ore: a rock with enough of an important
element to make it worth mining
• Overburden: the rock and soil overlying an
economically viable mineral deposit.
 Surface Mining
• Opencast or open-cut mining is usually used
when a deposit if located near the surface.
• The material above the deposit is called
overburden – the rock and soil overlying an
economically viable mineral deposit.
• The overburden is removed and stored nearby
to be used later for mine restoration.
• Open pit mines are dug in sections called
benches. Walls are created in such a way to
reduce the risk of rock fall.
• Roads have to be made as the digging process
starts – any advantages of this ?
Steps in Opencast mining
 Opencast Mining
Advantages Disadvantages
• Easier access • Noise pollution due to
• Less expensive explosives being used
• Lesser risk for workers • Air pollution due to dust
• High selectivity- miners can • More habitat loss as
get rid of unwanted vegetation removed is more
materials easily as compared to deep cast
• Higher loss of biodiversity
 Strip mining
• The overburden (overlying rock and soil) is
removed as a thin strip.
 Sub Surface Mining
• Deep cast mining:
• Adit Mining:
 Deep cast Mining
• Stages in Deep cast Mining are:
• Adit Mining: the entrance to a horizontal
(drift) mine.
• Why is deepcast mining more challenging than surface mining
?
• Expensive – more machinery involved, skilled labour require
• Ventilation is a problem in deepcast mining
• Water drainage has to be provided – flooding risk
• Risk of roofs collapsing
• Risk of poisonous gas released, explosion and underground
fire is also a problem.
 Advantages of deepcast
• More valuable minerals can be reached.
• Less vegetation is removed as work is done
underground – so loss of biodiversity is less
Factors affecting the viability of extraction
of minerals
Impact of Rock and Mineral Extraction
• Environmental
• Social
• Economic
• A mining company needs a license before it can start mining -
why?
• Environmental impact assessment – identifies the possible
types of damage to the environment and ways to reduce
these.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a tool used to
assess the significant effects of a project or development
proposal on the environment.
• Mining license is given if company have detailed plans to
control the amount of damage to the environment.
• Loss of vegetation, loss of habitat. Loss of biodiversity –
important term
• More vegetation is removed in surface mining – why ?
• Pollution is an important impact of mining – it can be noise,
visual, water, land , air.
• In exams, never use the word pollution by itself. Be precise
and state the type of pollution
• Be precise and name examples such as land pollution from
waste heaps, water pollution from mine working, air pollution
from crushing and smelting.
 Noise Pollution
• Noise Pollution is a result of explosives and
machinery used.
• The overburden is loosened by explosives and
then removed by large machines.
• Noise pollution can disturb animals and cause
health problems for people.
• Deep mining produces less noise pollution
than surface mining – why ?
 Water Pollution
• The water that comes through mine waste or comes
directly from shafts can affect the levels of
biodiversity in rivers and streams.
• Drinking water supplies may also be contaminated
• Water may become acidic and then
• Bioaccumulation: organisms absorb the ions and retain them
in their body, reaching concentration higher than that in
water.
• Biomagnification: the concentrations increase higher up in
the food chain and cause the death of top consumers.
 Air Pollution
• Dust particles settle on the vegetation, not
allowing sunlight to reach the leaves and thus,
reducing the rate of photosynthesis.
• Breathing in dust that remains in the lungs can
cause serious lung diseases.
 Land Pollution
• The land surrounding a mine will become
polluted by mine waste.
• The toxic nature of the waste means that only
a few plants can grow, even after mining has
stopped.
 Visual Pollution
• Visual pollution is when the landscape is
damaged after the mining activity.
• Surface mining creates most obvious visual
pollution.
• Give reasons why illegal mining without a
license is bad for people and the environment.
• Explain how reduced plant growth can affect
an ecosystem.
 Economic Impact
• Economic impacts:
– Provides employment for people and taxes for the
government.
– Jobs are created directly to extract the mineral;
– Further jobs are created to supply transport and mining
equipment;
– More jobs are created when the mineral is refined to
make products;
– If all these activities occur in the same country, it will
generate the most income;
– Earn foreign exchange.
• Impacts can be positive as well as negative.
• When question is asking for impacts, try to
give a balanced answer with both positive and
negatives impacts mentioned.
• The income earned can be used for buying goods and
services and investing in infrastructure projects.
– Improvements to transport;
– Improvements to services, like healthcare and
education;
– These services can be helpful for miners and their
families too;
– Investing in infrastructure projects can help the
country in building more well-designed communities.