Mining and Fracking
By: Derek Finizio
what surface/subsurface mining and their differences? and there examples
- Surface Mining- a broad category of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed.
- subsurface Mining- the removal of deposits from the earth by drilling underneath layers of rock and dirt.
- differences (subsurface in bold, surface plain)
- In surface mining, the ore is accessed directly from the Earth's surface, and contact is maintained with the surface throughout the operation.
- subsurface mining is accomplished with the help of tunnels going into the Earth, and does not occur on the surface.
- In surface mining, the topsoil and bedrock is removed to access the ore; all done from the surface.
- In subsurface mining, the bedrock is kept intact, and tunnels are used to access the ore from below.
- Surface mining can be accomplished by the following Examples:
Open-pit Mining, Quarrying, Strip Mining, Mountaintop Removal, Dredging
- The main examples of subsurface mining are: Room and Pillar Mining Long wall Mining and cut and fill mining
pictures/environment effects
Surface-
- Here they are mining above the surface. They are removing the rock, coal and soil from above the ground to clear space.
- Effects- destroys landscapes, forests and wildlife habitats. It leads to soil erosion and destruction of agricultural land. When rain washes topsoil these sediments pollute waterways.
- Here they are drilling underneath the surface of the layers and rocks. Here you can see there using the shafts to clear space.
- effects- there are many environmental impacts, such as erosion, air, water pollution, land destruction and harm to mine workers. The mines make a lot of hazardous acid mine drainage.
Fracking
Fracking- the process of injecting liquid at high pressure into subterranean rocks
How is it Done- process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside. Water, sand and chemicals are injected into the rock at high pressure
Effects- water is mixed with various chemicals to make toxic. Fracking can also cause dangerous earthquakes. The combination of water can also cause bad gases.