Mining and other extraction methods

1. Mining and other extraction methods Topic 17

2. Important Terms Mineral Ore Reserve Surface mining Subsurface mining

3. Examples of commercially important minerals Gold Tantalum (coltan) Diamonds Iron Lead Silicon Aluminum Coal* * Not technically a mineral, but mined like one

4. Surface mining: general Existing vegetation is cleared over burden Extraction Spoils Surface mining is used to extract @90% of the nonfuel mineral resources and @60% of coal resources in the U.S.

5. Open-pit Mining

6. Area Strip Mining

7. Contour Strip Mining

8. Mountaintop Removal

9. Subsurface Mining Advantages Only way to access some resources Disturbs less than 1/10th as much land as surface mining Usually produces less waste material Disadvantages Dangerous Collapse of roofs & walls Explosions of dust & natural gas Lung diseases from mining dust Leaves much of the resource in the ground Acid Mine Drainage Subsidence

10. Subsidence

11. US Mining laws US General Mining Law of 1872 US Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

12. Natural Capital Degradation Extracting, Processing, and Using Nonrenewable Mineral and Energy Resources Steps Environmental effects Mining Disturbed land; mining accidents; health hazards, mine waste dumping, oil spills and blowouts; noise; ugliness; heat Exploration, extraction Processing Solid wastes; radioactive material; air, water, and soil pollution; noise; safety and health hazards; ugliness; heat Transportation, purification, manufacturing Use Noise; ugliness; thermal water pollution; pollution of air, water, and soil; solid and radioactive wastes; safety and health hazards; heat Transportation or transmission to individual user, eventual use, and discarding Fig. 15-10, p. 344

13. Other extraction methods • Oil drilling

14. Hydraulic fracturing • Traditional • New • Associated water issues • Groundwater contamination • Surface water contamination • Excessive water use

15. Other environmental issues • Habitat destruction • Earthquakes • Methane leakage • Subsidence of land • Soil salinization or heavy metal build-up

16. ANWR Case Study

17. Arctic tundra

19. What will happen if ANWR is developed by the oil industry? Construction and use of: drilling sites, airstrips, Housing Pipelines and storage facilities Increased air traffic Seismic surveying

20. Who has a stake in the future of ANWR? Who would benefit from opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling? Who might be harmed by it?

21. What is another side to the story? Arctic Power, an organization that says opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling would provide jobs and energy, and would not harm the caribou herds, promotes drilling in the Refuge. The following clip is narrated by an Inupiak man who lives in the small town of Kaktovik in the coastal area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.anwr.org/flash.htm

22. Other extraction controversies • Pebble Mine • Keystone Pipeline • In your group of four, decide which partner pair will learn about Pebble Mine and which will learn about the Keystone Pipeline. • Then you and your partner should read both sides. Summarize the goal of the project and the arguments for and against. One paragraph per argument.