MINING+The+process+and+Effects

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 * What is the Mining Process?**

Mining is the process of removing or extracting metals or minerals from the Earth. Some examples are Gold, Titanium, Tim, and nickel. The process of Mining although simple, is very time consuming and can have severe negative impacts on the surroundings. Mining can also sometimes be extremely dangerous for the wellbeing of humans and other life forms. Mining can be best described as a way of extracting non-renewable resources from the ground. Without mining we would not be able to obtain most metals. Mining has been a process used since the pre-historic era, however the basic process has been differed and enhanced based on new equipment and discoveries. Nowadays the mining process consists of removing ore from the earth through “prospecting” or “exploring”. After “discovering” the ore, mathematical estimations are conducted in order to estimate the size and grade of the deposit. The estimation is used in order to determine if further investments are going to be profitable. This pre-feasibility step also identifies further risks. After all financial factors have been considered, the company determines whether they want to continue on with the project. Once it has been decided that mining would be a worthy and profitable investment the site is prepared for the physical process of excavation. All machines and necessary equipment is obtained. The operation of the mine to recover the ore begins and continues as long as the company operating the mine finds it economical to do so. Once all the ore that the mine can produce profitably is retrieved, reclamation begins to make the land safe for future use.

There are two types of mining, //surface// and //sub-surface//. Surface mining is the more common of the two and is used to obtain about 85% of all minerals. Both have their pros and cons. Surface mining is used where the ore or material to be extracted is located fairly close to the surface. The overlying ground cover is removed, the material is mined, and the ground cover is ordinarily replaced.
 * Mining Techniques**

-Safer and easier than subsurface mining -Does more damage to the surface ecosystems than subsurface -Creates more of a mess than subsurface or open cut mining
 * Surface Mining:**


 * Subsurface**mining is used where the material is in veins deep beneath the surface, or obstructed (by rock layers or water tables) in a way that makes surface access impractical. Early mines used existing caves, but technology has brought drilling to reach veins of coal or metal ores. Previously unreachable minerals can now be obtained using subsurface mining.

-Not as much widespread damage to ecosystems -Difficult and expensive to dig -Very dangerous conditions can include collapses, released gases, particulates in the air, low oxygen, and heat
 * Subsurface Mining:**

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[|http://en][|.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining]