What are the 4 main methods of mining?

There are four main mining methods: underground, open surface (pit), placer, and in-situ mining.

  • Underground mines are more expensive and are often used to reach deeper deposits.
  • Surface mines are typically used for more shallow and less valuable deposits.

How is open cast mining done?

Open cast mining involves the removal of ore from seams relatively near the surface by means of an open pit (see figure below). These mines often occupy a large area of land for excavation of the ore and disposal of the overburden (the waste rock lying over the ore).

What are the 3 types of surface mining methods?

Surface mining, method of extracting minerals near the surface of the Earth. The three most common types of surface mining are open-pit mining, strip mining, and quarrying. See also mining and coal mining.

Why is mining bad?

Across the world, mining contributes to erosion, sinkholes, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, significant use of water resources, dammed rivers and ponded waters, wastewater disposal issues, acid mine drainage and contamination of soil, ground and surface water, all of which can lead to health issues in local …

Why is open pit mining cheaper?

Open-pit mining occurs on surface and is generally the cheapest way to extract ore. This is because rock doesn’t have to be moved far up hill against gravity, equipment used can be larger than underground, and it doesn’t require more expensive features like ventilation, communications, etc.

What are the disadvantages of open cast mining?

1.1 Features, technical and economic indicators of open pit development

Advantages Disadvantages
High production rate (essentially unlimited, although small surface mines also possible) Limited by stripping ratio
Lowest cost along with open cast mining High capital investment associated with large equipment

What is the most common method of mining?

Open-pit is one of the most common mining methods used and starts from the earth’s surface, maintaining exposure to the surface throughout the extraction period.

What mine waste called?

Terminology. Tailings are also called mine dumps, culm dumps, slimes, tails, refuse, leach residue, slickens, or terra-cone (terrikon).

What are 2 types of subsurface mining?

The three types of subsurface mining are room and pillar, longwall, and solution mining.

Which are the two main techniques of mining Class 8?

There are two main methods of mining, viz. open-cast mining and shaft mining. Open Cast Mining: When minerals are taken out by removing the surface layer, the process is called open-cast mining. Minerals which lie at shallow depths are extracted by this process.

What are the cons for open pit mining?

Efficient Operations. One of the major benefits to open pit mining is the increase in efficiency over deep-shaft mining techniques.

  • Greater Safety. Open-pit mining is much safer than shaft mining.
  • Loss of Ecosystem. An open pit mining operation virtually eliminates any biologic life at the surface.
  • Pollution and Drainage.
  • What are the effects of open pit mining?

    Open-pit mining is to be considered one of the most dangerous sectors in the industrial world. It causes significant effects to miners health, as well as damage to the ecological land. Open-pit mining causes changes to vegetation, soil, and bedrock, which ultimately contributes to changes in surface hydrology, groundwater levels, and flow paths.

    What is the process of open pit mining?

    Open-pit mining, also known as opencast mining, open-cut mining, and strip mining, means a process of digging out rock or minerals from the earth by their elimination from an open pit or borrow. The word is used to distinguish this type of mining from extractive methods that need tunneling into the earth.

    What are the environmental impacts of open pit mining?

    Open-pit mining is the primary extraction method in Chile (used in up to 91% of the mines) [1] involving explosive procedures and heavy machinery. Environmental impacts of open-pit mining include erosion, biodiversity loss, as well as contamination of the groundwater and pollution of ambient air [2,3].