answersLogoWhite

0

🧪

Mining

Mining for coal is something that is widely known, but did you know that diamonds, uranium, copper, and other non-renewable natural resources are also mined? There are two types of mining; surface and subsurface. Questions about the methods and types of mining, what ores are mined, and related questions should be asked in this category.

4,677 Questions

What is a waste product from one iron ore?

One waste product from iron ore processing is tailings, which are the byproducts of the mining and extraction process. Tailings are typically comprised of finely ground rock, water, and residual chemicals used in the extraction process. They are often stored in large containment areas called tailings dams.

Is Gneiss a sedimentary metamorphic or igneous rock?

Gneiss is a metamorphic rock that forms from the recrystallization of pre-existing rocks under high temperature and pressure conditions. It is characterized by its banded texture and coarser grain size compared to other types of metamorphic rocks.

What physical property does flotation rely on on an ore?

Flotation relies on the physical property of hydrophobicity, which refers to the tendency of certain minerals to repel water and cling to air bubbles. In an ore flotation process, the hydrophobic minerals attach to air bubbles and float to the surface, separating them from hydrophilic minerals that remain in the water.

What are the disadvantages of phenacetin mining?

Phenacetin mining can lead to environmental degradation, such as soil and water contamination from the release of toxic chemicals. It can also have negative impacts on local communities through disruption of livelihoods and health risks associated with exposure to pollutants. Additionally, unsustainable mining practices can result in habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.

How hot does it get in the mines?

The temperature in mines can vary depending on the depth and location, but it can get quite high. In some deep mines, temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) due to the lack of ventilation and heat from underground rock formations. Workers must take precautions to stay cool and hydrated in these conditions.

Why is mining used in fold mountains?

Mining is common in fold mountains because they often contain valuable mineral deposits that are created through the geological processes that form the mountains. The folding of rock layers during mountain-building events can concentrate minerals in accessible locations, making mining economically viable. Additionally, the rugged terrain of fold mountains can create a variety of mineral resources due to the diverse geological processes that occur in these regions.

Why is uranium mining bad for the environment?

Uranium mining can have negative environmental impacts due to the release of radioactive materials, contamination of water sources, destruction of habitats, and production of radioactive waste. It can also cause health risks for both humans and wildlife living in the surrounding areas.

Is strip mining a negative or positive?

Strip mining is a type of surface mining that involves excavating earth, rock, and other material to uncover a tabular, lens-shaped, or layered mineral reserve.

One third of America's coal is mined in the Appalachia using the strip mining technique called Mountain Top Removal which literally means the actual removal of the mountain top. The coal is found in the mountain stacked up in layers similar to the frosting in cake and mining operations are set up to remove the coal as effectively and as cheaply as possible. It used to be that mining operations dug tunnels into the mountain and retrieved the coal that way, but with the demands for energy and coal growing it became necessary to find quicker and cheaper ways to obtain the coal. In strip mining, the land is first bulldozed and dynamited to expose the bedrock and coal. Using some of the heaviest and biggest equipment that run on diesel, the top layer called the overburden is hauled away and is deposited into the valleys or put back onto the mountain when the operation ends. This effectively exposes the coal, which is mined and hauled away.

Bad mining practices can ignite coal fires, which can burn for decades, release fly ash and smoke laden with greenhouse gasses and toxic chemicals. Furthermore mining releases coal mine methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Coal dust inhalation causes black lung disease among miners and those who live nearby, and mine accidents kill thousands every year. Coal mining displaces whole communities, forced off their land by expanding mines, coal fires, subsidence and contaminated water supplies.

Strip mining destroys landscapes, forests and wildlife habitats at the site of the mine when trees, plants, and topsoil are cleared from the mining area. This in turn leads to soil erosion and destruction of agricultural land.

When rain washes the loosened top soil into streams, sediments pollute waterways. This can hurt fish and smother plant life downstream, and cause disfiguration of river channels and streams, which leads to flooding.

There is an increased risk of chemical contamination of ground water when minerals in upturned earth seep into the water table, and watersheds are destroyed when disfigured land loses the water it once held.

Strip mining causes dust and noise pollution when top soil is disrupted with heavy machinery and coal dust is created in mines.

The common strip-mining techniques are classified as area mining or contour mining on the basis of the deposit geometry and type. The cycle of operations for both techniques consists of vegetation clearing, soil removal, drilling and blasting of overburden (if needed), stripping, removal of the coal or other mineral commodity, and reclamation.

All surface or strip mining first removes the overlying vegetation, soil and underground rock layers in order to expose and extract coal from an underground seam or coal deposit. Responsible surface mining attempts to limit the side effects of this removal through several basic steps. The usually try to extract coal and other types of minerals. The pits are parallel and adjacent to each other with each strip of overburden and the mineral beneath extracted in following order.

In the past, strip-mined mineral deposits that became exhausted or uneconomical to mine often were simply abandoned. The result was a barren saw tooth, lunar like landscape of spoil piles hostile to natural vegetation and generally unsuitable for any immediate land use. Such spoil areas are now routinely reclaimed and permanent vegetation reestablished as an integral part of surface-mining operations. Generally, reclamation is performed concurrently with mining.

Strip mining has destroyed over 740,000 acres of forests and 1,000 miles of waterways. Just like the elephant in the room, something has to be done. A group called the Coal River Wind Project is proposing a wind farm on one mountain instead of having it mined. As of December 2008, there is a bill in the House called the Clean Water Protection Act if passed into law that would help save some of the streams in the valleys that are lost or compromised by the depositing of overburden. However, with the environmentally detrimental measures passed by outgoing President Bush in his final hours threatens not only the environment but the health of communities near coal mines and coal plants by allowing them to dump their waste in local streams and valleys. Hopefully, the new administration will be able to save us from the harms of the coal industry that yet remains to be seen.

What am I i am mined to make aluminum?

You are bauxite. Bauxite is a mineral rock that is the primary source of aluminum. It is typically mined in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

What type of mine is exposed on the surface?

An open-pit mine is a type of mine exposed on the surface. It involves the removal of material (typically ore and waste rock) overlying the mineral deposit. This method is used when the ore body is near the surface and is commonly used for mining metals such as copper, gold, and iron.

Are ores mined because they contain beautiful substances?

No, ores are mined for their economic value, such as their metal content or other useful minerals. The beauty or appearance of the substances in the ores is not typically a primary factor in their extraction.

What do Pesticides mining and manufacturing can cause this?

Pesticides mining and manufacturing can lead to environmental contamination through the release of toxic chemicals into the air, soil, and water. This pollution can have detrimental effects on local ecosystems and wildlife, as well as potentially harming human health through exposure to these harmful substances. Additionally, the production and use of pesticides can contribute to the development of pesticide-resistant pests, posing challenges for sustainable pest management.

What is the bad thing we breath from gold mining?

Mercury is a toxic substance released during gold mining activities, particularly through the process of amalgamation. Inhalation or ingestion of mercury can lead to serious health issues, including neurological damage and kidney failure. Proper waste management and disposal techniques are crucial in minimizing mercury exposure.

Minerals called ores are mined because they contain beautiful substances.?

Ores contain minerals that are of economic importance. Some of these may be considered beautiful and as such their appearance may contribute to their economic value (for example precious stones e.g. diamonds).

Describe the steps involved in smelting ore?

Smelting ore involves heating the ore in a furnace to extract the metal from its mineral form. The process typically involves crushing the ore, mixing it with a flux to help remove impurities, and heating it to high temperatures to melt the metal. The molten metal is then separated from the impurities and allowed to cool and solidify into a desired shape.

Byproduct of mining iron?

One byproduct of mining iron is the creation of tailings, which are a mixture of water, fine particles, and residual chemicals. Tailings can be harmful to the environment if not properly managed and can contaminate soil and water sources. Governments and mining companies are working to develop more sustainable practices to minimize the impact of iron mining byproducts.

After ore near the surface dwindled mining corporations began?

exploring deeper underground for new ore deposits. This required advanced technology and expertise due to the increased complexity and risks associated with deep mining. Additionally, environmental concerns became more critical as deep mining operations had potential impacts on water resources and ecosystems.

How much metal would you extract from 1000 grams of an ore containg 1 percent metral?

1% is 1 out of 100. 1000 is ten units of 100. Multiply the number of units of 100 (ten of them) times the percentage (1).

Cyanide is historically found in the following EXCEPT Gold and silver mining operations seeds of plants teflon or burning plastics.?

Cyanide is historically found in the following:

  • Gold and silver mining operations
  • Burning plastics

Cyanide is not found in the seeds of plants or Teflon.

Is uranium more commonly mined world wide using the In Situ Leaching method or the conventional mining method?

In Situ Leaching method is more commonly used worldwide for uranium mining compared to conventional mining. This method is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly as it does not require as much ground disturbance as conventional mining methods.

What metallic rock do pyrite and galena have?

Pyrite is an iron sulfide mineral, while galena is a lead sulfide mineral. Both minerals are classified as sulfide minerals, which are metallic in nature due to the presence of metallic elements like iron in pyrite and lead in galena.

What process is used to remove unwanted elements from the freshly mined iron ore?

The process used to remove unwanted elements from freshly mined iron ore is called beneficiation. Beneficiation involves crushing the ore, separating the iron-containing minerals from the non-iron minerals, and then further refining the iron concentrate through processes like magnetic separation and froth flotation to remove impurities like silica.

What is pyrite acid reaction?

Pyrite acid reaction refers to the chemical reaction between pyrite (iron sulfide) and acid, typically hydrochloric acid. This reaction produces hydrogen sulfide gas, sulfur dioxide gas, and iron chloride as products. It is often used as a test to identify the presence of pyrite in mineral samples.

Where is mining residue kept?

Mining residue is typically stored in containment facilities known as tailings dams or tailings ponds. These areas are specifically designed to hold the leftover materials from the mining process, such as sediments, chemicals, and waste rock, to prevent them from impacting the surrounding environment. Proper management and maintenance of these facilities are crucial to minimize the risks of environmental contamination.