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Mining. What is it?. Looking for ores (minerals with economic value) and metals. Types of Mining. Surface Mining: Open pit mining: makes a large pit in the ground Mountain top mining: removes entire Placer mining: looking for sediments in water (GOLD RUSH)
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What is it? • Looking for ores (minerals with economic value) and metals.
Types of Mining • Surface Mining: • Open pit mining: makes a large pit in the ground • Mountain top mining: removes entire • Placer mining: looking for sediments in water (GOLD RUSH) • Subsurface Mining: dig a tunnel with lots of shafts (what you think about when you think of coal mining.
The Effects of Mining Surface Mining Subsurface Mining Minimal dust at site Water contamination No effect on soil Road construction affects habitats Possible death and respiratory problems in human workers • Significant dust from earth-moving equipment • Contamination of water • Most of soil is removed from site • Habitat alteration and destruction over the surface areas that are mined. • Minimum effects on human health and life
So what is being done to? • Mining Law of 1872: allow mining to encourage development of western states. • Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act: regulates surface mining and subsurface mining. Mandates land to be minimally disturbed and RECLAIMED after mining is complete. DOES NOT REGULATE all the mining practices that affect air water and land. • Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Superfund Act.
Lab on Thursday • Begin Reading the Lab and set up your group’s game plan