Types of Mining and Fracking
Nia Drayton- B3
Surface Mining
- the removal of mineral resources from Earth's surface
- Used when a layer of sedimentary rock is relatively closer to Earth's surface
- safer than subsurface
- costs less
Strip (Surface)
- the removal of ores, or sedimentary rock deposits, in layers
Effects on the environment
- trees and bushes are bulldozed
- waste is dumped and washed in freshwater sources
- no vegetation remains
Open Pit (Surface)
- the removal of minerals from an open pit
Effects on the Environment
- radioactive elements can be released when rocks are crushed
Mountain Top Removal (Surface)
- the removal of minerals through the cutting of a mountainside and use of explosives
Effects on the environment
- forests and landscape is destroyed
- rivers and other drinking water sources are filled with waste and deemed contaminated
- can cause floods
Subsurface Mining
- the removal of mineral resources from the beneath Earth's surface
- dangerous and difficult because of their location
- extra safety measures have to be taken for miners
Slope (Subsurface)
- conveyor belts help transport minerals to the Earth's surface
- a mine is constructed based on the surrounding environment
Effects on the environment
- erosion
- sedimentation
- severe landslides
Drift (Subsurface)
- the removal of minerals from beneath Earth's surface through the opening of mountain or hill side
Effects on the environment
- change in land patterns
- soil erosion
- loss of biodiversity
Shaft (Subsurface)
- removal of minerals from Earth's interior where shafts (metal chutes) pushed into the ground.
- specific shafts (deep) are used for mining while shallow shafts are used for civil engineering projects
- mines are divided into multiple parts (lift for transportation of equipment, lift for transporting extracted ores, and emergency exit)
- shafts are raised from bottom to the top
Effects on the environment
- pollution
- water can become acidic
- use of mercury
Fracking
What is it?
- drilling of Earth's interior to extract oil and gas
- water and sand is injected into shale rock with high pressure
- the gas and steam from the rock rises into wells
Effects on the environment
- wastes water
- causes Earth tremors
Sources
- http://www.scienceclarified.com/Ma-Mu/Mining.html
- http://www.greatmining.com/mining.php
- http://web.mit.edu/12.000/www/m2016/finalwebsite/problems/mining.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-pit_mining
- http://earthjustice.org/features/campaigns/what-is-mountaintop-removal-mining#
- http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401