Types of Mining and Fracking
By: Connor, Timothee, George
Surface
The types of surface mining include strip mining, open pit mining, mountaintop removal mining.
Subsurface
The types of subsurface mining are slope mining, drift mining, and shaft mining.
Differences
1. Not as much damage to surface ecosystems
2. Very Expensive and is more dangerous the deeper you dig.
3. Dangerous working conditions that can lead to death or serious injury and collapse of the facility.
Surface
1. Safe and easy
2. Does damage to surface ecosystems
3. If done improperly it leave a big mess.
Fracking
Surface Mining: Strip Mining
Strip Mining in Illinois and Pennsylvania is common.
Open Pit Mining
Open Pit mining is when you dig a pit to reach deposits of minerals.
Environmental damage: Radioactive elements and toxic minerals/chemicals can leak into the air or ground.
Mountian Top Removal
Is when you mine the summit of a mountain to reach a seam of resources.
Slope Mining
Slope Mining
Description - digging a diagonal passage through the earth to obtain desired materials.
Effects on the environment
Erosion
Sinkholes
Chemical contamination of water, soil, air, etc.
Habitat destruction
Example - CONSOL Bailey Mine Crabapple Slope in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania
Drift Mining
Drift Mining
Description - digging a horizontal passage through the earth to obtain desired materials
Effects on the environment
Erosion
Sinkholes
Chemical contamination of water, soil, air, etc.
Habitat destruction
- Example - Harry Stoke Drift Mine in South Gloucestershire, UK
Shaft Mining
Shaft Mining
Description - digging a vertical tunnel through the earth to obtain desired materials
Effects on the environment
Erosion
Sinkholes
Chemical contamination of water, soil, air, etc.
Habitat destruction
- Example - Martinez Mine in Arizona