mining removes rocks and minerals that contain useful metals from the earth’s crust. metals-2-1...
TRANSCRIPT
Mining removes rocks and minerals that contain useful metals from the
Earth’s crust.
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Image: G. Plumlee, USGS
Many mines are large surface excavations.
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Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.
Some mines are underground.
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Image: US Bureau of Mines
Drilling cuts holes in metal-bearing rock where explosives can be placed.
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Explosions - or blasts - break metal-bearing rock into blocks and fragments.
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Image: US Bureau of Mines
Metal-bearing rock broken by blasting is hauled to a crusher.
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Image: US Bureau of Mines
Crushed metal-bearing rock - most pieces smaller than a baseball - is ready for processing that removes metals.
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Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.
All mines eventually deplete their valuable
metal-bearing rock and close.
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Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.