WHAT IS MINING?
- Mining is extracting ore or minerals from the ground
- An ore is a natural material with a high concentration of economically valuable minerals that can be mined for a profit
- There are two main types of mines
- Surface Mining
- Subsurface Mining
- Mineral deposits are on or near the surface of the Earth and are removed
- There are 4 types of surface mines
- Open pit: removes ;arge, near surface, near surface deposits of minerals such as gold and copper. Mined downward in layers
- Quarries: stone, crushed rock, sand, gravel
- Strip Mining: removing surface coal in strips up to 50 m wide x 1 km long
- Mountain Top Removal: top of elevation is blow off
- Minerals are located to deep for surface mining
- Shafts and passageways are dug into the ground to reach ores
EXTRA DIRT THAT WE DON'T NEED= ROCK SPOIL
RECLAMATION
RECLAMATION
- mining can destroy or disturb habitats
- Waste products can pollute water systems
- When a mine is no longer being no longer being used, the land should be returned to its original state or better=Reclamation
- Surface mining and Reclamation Act of 1975
- Mine Albert, Quebec, before and after reclamation. Government of Quebec
WHY DO WE NEED MINES?
- HOUSES
- CARS
- TOOTHPASTE
- PLUMBING
- WIRING
- PLANES
- ELECTRONICS
- JEWELRY
- GLASS
- IF WE CANT GROW IT, IT HAS TO BE MINED
Mining in my house
CLick here to read about a subsurface mining accident that was in CHilie
Click here for more information about a surface mining accident
FORESTRY NOTES
ECOSYSTEM-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT
- Goal: TO harvest resources while minimizing effects on the rest of the ecosystem
- Ecologically sensitive areas are carefully monitored and protected; resources are harvested selectively
- Ecosystems are complex, so choosing which area to protect and which to harvest is a challenge