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Surface mining is MUCH less expensive than underground mining. Usually.
In some cases, underground mining is used because the substance being mined is just too deep to have a surface mine. I was just in a silver mine that is more than 5,000 feet deep. If the mine had to remove a mile of rock to get to the silver, it would not be worth mining. In THAT case, underground mining is less costly.
What else can I help you with?
What mining technique is less harmful to the environment surface or subsurface mining?
Subsurface mining is generally considered less harmful to the environment compared to surface mining. Subsurface mining causes less land disturbance and produces less waste material on the surface. However, both mining techniques can have environmental impacts if not properly managed.
How do surface mining and underground mining differ?
Surface mining occurs close to the surface (less than a mile deep), while underground mining is underground.
What type of mining is least harmful to the environment?
Underground mining is generally considered less harmful to the environment compared to surface mining. Underground mining causes less surface disturbance, reduces the impact on wildlife and ecosystems, and generates less waste compared to surface mining methods such as open-pit mining.
What are the two main types of mining and how do they differ?
The two main types of mining are surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining involves extracting minerals or resources from the Earth's surface, while underground mining involves extracting resources from beneath the Earth's surface. Surface mining is generally more cost-effective and less dangerous, but it can have a larger environmental impact compared to underground mining. Underground mining, on the other hand, can be more expensive and pose greater safety risks, but it is less disruptive to the environment.
What are the benefits of surface mining over subsurface mining?
Surface mining is generally more cost-effective and less dangerous than subsurface mining. It also has a lower environmental impact as it causes less disturbance to the surrounding ecosystems. Additionally, surface mining allows for easier access to the mineral resources, making it more efficient.
Why is surface mining cheaper?
Surface mining is generally cheaper than underground mining because it involves removing material from the surface rather than having to dig deep underground. This makes it more accessible and requires less equipment and labor. Additionally, surface mining usually has higher production rates and allows for larger equipment to be used, further reducing costs per unit of material extracted.
Why might surface mining be less risky for miners than underground mining?
Surface mining is often less risky for miners than underground mining because it is conducted in open pits or quarries, reducing the risk of cave-ins or tunnel collapses. Surface mining typically involves less exposure to hazardous gases and chemicals that are common in underground mines. Additionally, surface mining operations are generally more mechanized, reducing the need for as much manual labor in potentially dangerous conditions.
What are the cons of surface mining?
The advantages of surface mining are: * It is cheaper to extract the ore or metal than underground mining * Less chance of workers dying from toxic fumes, therefore it is safer unlike underground mining. * It is also faster The disadvantages of surface mining are: * That it destroys the landscape and environment * Effects the habitats of fauna potentially effecting the existing ecosystem in that area * Flora is destroyed * Causes noise, air and water pollution
Why would mining company choose to do surface mine?
A mining company might choose to conduct surface mining if the ore deposit is close to the surface, making it more cost-effective and efficient to extract the minerals. Surface mining also has a lower environmental impact compared to underground mining, as it creates less disturbance to the surrounding ecosystems and requires fewer resources for operation.
What are advantages of surface mining of coal compared to underground mining?
Advantages of surface mining of coal compared to underground mining include lower operating costs, higher productivity due to larger equipment and easier access to coal deposits. Surface mining also results in less environmental impact compared to underground mining in terms of land disturbance and waste production.
Which of these is an advantage of surface mining?
One advantage of surface mining is that it is generally a more cost-effective method compared to underground mining, as it requires less specialized equipment and labor. Additionally, surface mining allows for the extraction of large quantities of minerals over a large area.
What are two types of coal mining?
Surface mining is used to produce most of the coal because it is less expensive than underground mining. Surface mining can be used when the coal is buried less than 200 feet underground.In surface mining, giant machines remove the top soil and layers of rock known as "overburden" to expose the coal seam. Once the mining is finished, the dirt and rock are returned to the pit, the topsoil is replaced, and the area is replanted.Underground mining, sometimes called deep mining, is used when the coal is buried several hundred feet below the surface. Some underground mines are 1,000 feet deep. To remove coal in these underground mines, miners ride elevators down deep mine shafts where they run machines that dig out the coal.
