Types of Mining
Quit your whining and read about mining
Surface VS Subsurface
Fun fact: Sub- is the Latin root meaning under
Strip mining
The land is slowly removed in strips to reveal the resources. It is used when the resources cover a wide area that is not deep.
Consequences
- destroys landscape
- causes soil erosion
- destroys wildlife habitats
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/News/201004030245
Open Pit
It is basically strip mining, but miners are digging deeper for resources.
Consequences
- Erosion
- Can affect the flow of ground water
- Destroys land and landscape
- Can cause sinkholes
http://en.zmsyy.com/comcontent_detail2/&columnsId=54.html
Mountain top Removal
Miners blast off mountaintops and dump the rubble into neighboring valleys. This allows them to reach coal streams.
Consequences
- Blocks waterways
- Destroys trees
- Kills Wildlife
http://mountainroadshow.com/gallery/
Shaft Mining
What is it?
Dig a vertical tunnel down to extract resources from the top down.Consequences
- loud
- emits dangerous fumes and coal dust
- not safe
http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org/Issues/MetalsMining/QueenChrome.html
Slope Mining
Similar to Shaft mining, but there si a sloped tunnel that uses conveyor belts to bring coal up.
Consequences
- Many fatalities (DEATH)
- Health risks
- Pollution
http://www.alberici.com/projects/Pages/Project-Detail.aspx?pid=44
Drift Mining
An underground path that is almost horizontal which is used to get coal.
Consequences
- Coal fires
- Dangerous
- Many health risks
- Greenhouse gas emissions
https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/gildedage/Mechanization/Electric
Fracking
Hydrolic fracturing:
Holes are drilled int the ground and a fluid is put in the cracks to fracture shale rocks and release natural gas
Consequences
- Chemicals can get in the groundwater
- Pollution
- Earthquakes