MiningMining

Matt BaughMatt Baugh

DefinitionDefinition

• Mining-noun is the extraction of mineral ores or fossil fuels from the ground.

Two types of mining Two types of mining

• There is underground mining and open pit or strip mining.

Underground Mining Underground Mining

• This method of mining is used whenever the mineral is deep enough

to require a series of tunnels and shafts. to extract it. • Gold, silver, diamonds, zinc, copper and nickel can be mined using

this method.

Underground mining is bad for the Underground mining is bad for the environment in two ways. environment in two ways.

• First the tunnels can collapse. Leaving a large caldera looking hole in the ground.

• Second, waste can build up at the bottom of the mines and create unsightly dumps and tip heaps on the surface of the ground.

Underground mining is also dangerous Underground mining is also dangerous to the workersto the workers

• The gases and a dusty atmosphere can lead to lung problems.

• Inflammable gases and the risk of the shaft collapsing are also hazards to workers.

Open pit (strip) miningOpen pit (strip) mining

• Open pit mining is done on a large scale. It inflicts more damage to the environment but is less dangerous to workers. Some Open Pit mines are up to 2 km long and 0.5km deep.

Open Pit MiningOpen Pit Mining

• Some minerals mined this way are coal granite and sandstone.

• It is less expensive than Underground mining.

Environmental issues Environmental issues

• Both types of mining are harmful to the environment. They include erosion, sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, loss

of vegetation, and chemical spills can contaminate soil.

BC miningBC mining

• Northwest British Columbia contains a wealth of minerals, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum and anthracite coal.

• The value of mineral sales in B.C. more than doubled over the last seven years reaching $6.6 billion in 2008, up from $2.9 billion in 2001

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F05utkDNpCQ

• http://www.entreegold.com/landing_page/?gclid=CLL0h8rNpJ8CFSgtawodhjs1Zw

• http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00461/under.htm

• http://www.searchmining.net/results.asp?newsCategory=&jobsCategory=&blogsCategory=&researchCategory=&companiesCategory=&searchTerm=mining+companies&page=1&gclid=CPO1yNSEtJ8CFQcQagodqF3y0w

• Understanding Our Environment chapter 8.

• http://bc.pembina.org/mining

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining

• http://www.britishcolumbia.com/information/details.asp?id=42