Manganese Nodules.
Gold.
Manganese Nodules.
mining does not cost money, so no, it does not. But, it can be sold at a high price to the grand exchange The cost of mining gold varies from mine to mine. For example, if the cost to mine it per ounce is $600 per ounce, it is profitable to mine when it trades much above that, but not profitable if it trades at that or at a lower price. At the price increases,it becomes profitable to open or re-open mines that that have a high mining cost-per-ounce.
A resource that can not be replaced once used up, is a definition of a non-renewable resource. For example: once the coal seam in a coal mine has been depleted, the mine is closed down.
Diamonds. Obviously.
Humans mine for diamonds because they are highly valued for their beauty and rarity, making them a desirable luxury item. Diamonds are also used in industrial applications due to their hardness and thermal conductivity. Mining for diamonds can be economically lucrative for companies and countries that have diamond deposits.
Miners mine iron ore because it is a valuable resource used in the production of steel. Steel is crucial for many industries, including construction, manufacturing, and transportation, so there is a high demand for iron ore. Mining iron ore is profitable and supports economic growth.
One can mine coltan ore by extracting tantalum rocks. One can go to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Ethiopia and Thailand to mine them. It is a profitable industry.
Most mineral ores are under the surface. Mining minerals can be profitable.
I don't think that you have to mine in South Africa (or anywhere) but many people have found it profitable to do so. If there is mineral wealth, then digging it out leads to economic success.
There are a number of coal mines in the US that are quite large and profitable. The vast majority of these mines are located in Wyoming, which has the largest coal extraction rates of any state.
This happens when the price of copper goes up enough to make it profitable again to work the mine.