Mining Notes

Mineral

• Solid substance found in nature which is made of a single element or compound

• Examples: salt, gold, silver

Calcite

Important Minerals:• Aluminum: cans, cars, planes,

buildings• Copper: electrical wiring• Iron: used to make steel• Sulfur: paint, explosives, pesticides,

medicines• Silver: jewelry, film developing

Ore: A rock that contains a mineral

Iron Ore Copper Ore

Open Pit Mining• Machines dig large

holes in the ground to remove ore and leave a big hole in the ground.– Also referred to as a

quarry

• Examples: copper, sand, gravel, limestone, and marble

Strip Mining

• Machines are used to clear a strip of land where ore is removed the surface.– Waste is used to fill in the hole from the

first strip (less damaging).

• Example: phosphate and coal

• Accounts for ½ of our coal

Subsurface Mining

• Mine shafts are dug underground

• Disturbs the land the least, but is more hazardous and expensive

• Ex: salt/coal

Effects of Mining1. Can lead to erosion and damage the

landscape

2. Toxic substances can be left behind and pollute water and land.

–Acid Mine Damage: water flows over minerals containing sulfur and the water then becomes acidic

3. Loss of wildlife, destroys habitats, and the balance of the ecosystem

4. Requires too much energy

5. Waste Production: more waste is produced from mining than what is produced in ALL US cities combined

6. Previously deep mined areas are unstable

How to Reduce the Effects of Mining.

1. Reclamation: restoring areas to their original condition– Laws require companies to reclaim

mining sites on public land.

– Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977): • All companies must restore mined land• Only applies to coal

2. Reduce: Use less of the resources, which will decrease the demand for mining.

3. Re-use: Use minerals and materials as many times as possible.

This includes finding alternative uses for items.

4. Recycle: convert one object into a different form to be used again.

Examples: paper and cans

Leads to a decrease in the need for mining and decreases pollution caused by mining.

“Leave only footprints, take only pictures, kill only time…”

Public Land Use

• 40% of all land in the US is publicly owned

• This includes National Parks and Forests

• Wilderness: area in which the land and the ecosystems it supports are protected from all development (Wilderness Act 1964)