Mining

A geologist is the type of scientist who specializes in collecting and studying rocks. They analyze the properties, composition, and formation of rocks to gain insights into the Earth's history and processes.

Gypsum is one of the softest of minerals. It is only 1.5 on the scale of hardness and can be cut with a knife. Gypsum's specific gravity is 2.2 and it weighs 135 pounds per square foot. It does not melt under a blowpipe and does not react to Hydrochloric acid. It often accompanies rock salt or halite and frequently contains Sulfur beds and may or may not be transparent.

The grouping of silicate and non-silicate minerals is based on whether they contain silicon and oxygen. Silicate minerals are divided into smaller groups based on their structure. Non-silicate minerals are didvided into smaller groups based on their composition.

Mine blasting is a controlled explosion process used in mining operations to break up rock and ore deposits. It is carried out by trained professionals using explosives to fragment rock in order to extract valuable minerals. Safety measures and precautions are implemented to protect workers and the environment during this process.

Deep shaft mining is a method of extracting minerals and resources from deep underground by digging vertically downward, creating a shaft that allows miners and equipment to access the deposits. This method is commonly used for accessing resources such as coal, gold, and copper that are located deep beneath the Earth's surface.

Three interconnected factors that sustain life on Earth are the presence of liquid water, a suitable atmosphere with the right balance of gases for respiration, and the Earth's distance from the sun to maintain a habitable temperature range.

Granite is a hard and durable rock with a crystalline structure that comes in a variety of colors due to the different minerals present. It is highly resistant to heat, scratches, and stains, making it a popular choice for countertops and flooring. Granite is formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface, giving it a unique and natural beauty.

Pumice, being mostly composed of air bubbles, is surprisingly light for a rock. So light, in fact, that it can float on water.

Veins of gold found in rock are typically referred to as gold veins or gold lodes. These are formed when hydrothermal fluids carry gold and deposit it in cracks and fissures within the surrounding rock.

Underground mining is typically used when ore deposits occur in veins. This method involves underground tunnels and shafts to access the ore deposits. Miners can follow the vein and extract the valuable minerals for processing.

Morocco is not now mentioned as a country with uranium reserves; but phosphates ores contain exploitable uranium (approx. 200 mg/kg).

Kazakhstan is the country that produces the most uranium, but large areas of uranium deposits include the area of Central Asia, Southwestern Australia, and the area around the Great Lakes.

Canada's economy largely depends on its mineral exports. Some minerals that are mined in Canada are: coal, copper, gold, iron ore and potash.

This past week I visited a limestone quarry that has been mining limestone in one place for 40 years. In that time, they will have mined millions of tons of limestone. Usually nearly ALL the rock is limestone, so the answer will depend on the size (area) of the quarry, how deep you can mine, and presence of any "trash" rock.

The mineral Olivine is a series between two end members, fayalite and forsterite. Fayalite is the iron rich member while forsterite is the magnesium rich member.

Emerald is a silicate mineral. It belongs to the beryl mineral family and is composed of beryllium aluminum silicate with trace amounts of chromium and vanadium, which give it its characteristic green color.

An economic ore body, that's if you want to make a profit.

panning for gold in rivers and streams, using a pan to separate the heavier gold particles from the sediment. This method was effective in finding surface-level deposits of gold and other precious minerals. It was a labor-intensive but relatively simple process that allowed prospectors to quickly identify potential gold-rich areas.

Very little. Most silver is mined in deep shafts below the surface and refined in smelters which do not have chemical residues. The tailings can be slightly radioactive, but overall low environmental impact

No. Gypsum is a calcium sulfate dihydrate.

New Caledonia is the island that produces 25 percent of the world's nickel.

Brown coal, also known as lignite, is typically mined through open-cut or surface mining methods. In this process, the topsoil and overburden are removed to access the coal seams below the surface. Brown coal is then extracted using excavators, bulldozers, and other heavy machinery before being transported to a processing plant for further refining or combustion.

Since 1976, at least two new mineral species for the Geosciences have been discovered in Falcondo mine (Dominican Republic), being both approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). The first discovery was in 1976 and this new mineral specie was named "Falcondoite" (honoring Falcondo mine) which is the Ni analogue of Sepiolite and with the corresponding IMA 1976-018 approval.

Falcondoite is one of the best sources of Ni for laterite mines where pyrometallurgical process is used for ore benefitiation, with average NiO up to 27%.

It is one of the most beautiful minerals, and can be used as semiprecious stone too, for jewelry, souvenirs, biscuits, etc.