Underground mining

Definition

Underground mining is a method used to extract minerals and resources from below the earth's surface, typically involving a series of tunnels or shafts that reach the ore deposits. This technique is employed when mineral deposits are located deep beneath the surface, making surface mining impractical or less economically viable. It plays a crucial role in the extraction of valuable minerals such as gold, silver, coal, and various metals, and has significant implications for ore deposit exploration and development strategies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Underground mining allows for the extraction of minerals that are too deep for surface mining methods, leading to the recovery of more valuable resources.
2. The method is often more expensive than surface mining due to the increased complexity of operations, safety measures, and ventilation systems required.
3. Common techniques used in underground mining include room and pillar, cut and fill, and sublevel stoping.
4. Environmental impacts of underground mining can include subsidence, groundwater contamination, and habitat destruction, which necessitate careful management practices.
5. Safety is a critical concern in underground mining due to risks such as cave-ins, toxic gas exposure, and machinery accidents.

Review Questions

• What are the primary techniques used in underground mining, and how do they differ from each other?
  • The primary techniques used in underground mining include room and pillar, cut and fill, and sublevel stoping. Room and pillar involves creating rooms within the ore deposit while leaving pillars to support the roof. Cut and fill consists of removing ore in horizontal slices while backfilling the void with waste material to stabilize the ground. Sublevel stoping allows for ore extraction in sublevels while leaving some material for support. Each method varies in terms of efficiency, safety, and suitability based on the type of ore deposit.
• Discuss the environmental impacts associated with underground mining and how they can be mitigated.
  • Underground mining can lead to significant environmental impacts such as subsidence (the sinking of ground), groundwater contamination from chemicals used in the process, and habitat destruction. Mitigation strategies may include implementing careful monitoring systems to detect subsidence early, using environmentally friendly chemicals for mineral extraction, and restoring habitats post-mining operations. Additionally, regulatory compliance can help ensure that environmental standards are met throughout the mining process.
• Evaluate the economic factors that influence the decision to choose underground mining over surface mining for certain ore deposits.
  • The decision to choose underground mining over surface mining is influenced by several economic factors including depth and accessibility of the ore deposit, market demand for specific minerals, extraction costs, and potential environmental regulations. If a mineral deposit is too deep for efficient surface extraction or contains high-value minerals that justify higher costs, underground mining becomes more favorable. Additionally, fluctuating market prices for minerals can shift cost-benefit analyses in favor of either method depending on current economic conditions.

Related terms

Ore deposit: A naturally occurring concentration of one or more minerals within the Earth's crust that can be economically extracted.

Shaft mining: A type of underground mining that involves digging vertical shafts to access deep ore deposits.

Tunneling: The process of creating tunnels for underground mining, which can vary in size and complexity depending on the deposit being mined.