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Mining is defined as the extraction of mineral and other materials. Mining involves drilling into the earth. Copper, silver, diamond and gold are some of the minerals gotten from mining. There are many different steps in the mining of minerals.
Ore body discovery is the first. Ores are rocks from which metals and minerals are obtained. In order to discover ore, lots of prospecting is performed. Exploration is then carried out to establish the value and extent of the ore.
Resource estimation is the second. The size and grade of ore deposits is approximated at this point. This approximation is then applied in feasibility studies that help establish the economics of the ore deposits. This is important as it provides information on whether there is need for additional investment in engineering and estimation studies. It also helps identify the risks.
It is now that viability studies are carried out. This assists in the evaluation of technical risks as well as how financially viable the mineral mining project is. It is at this stage that mining companies decide whether to continue with the project or abandon it.
When the corporations make the decision to work on the venture, they compute the marketability and profitability of the ore concentrates, the financial requirements to get started and the cost of the infrastructure. Mining starts where the studies divulge that the venture is feasible. Consequently, a processing plant is installed.
Different techniques are used in mining. They are divided into two different excavation types. These are underground and surface mining.
Surface mining is the most common. The bulk of minerals, diamond and silver included are gotten through surface mining. Surface mining is carried out by getting rid of all surface vegetation and rock layers. This is done to reach the ore deposits.
On the contrary, the digging of shafts and tunnels with the aim of reaching the ore is what is involved in underground mining, also referred to as subsurface mining.
The mining of minerals requires the use of heavy machinery. As far as land extraction is concerned, bulldozers, explosives, trucks and drills are essential. Miners and the minerals are transported using trams while lifts carry them in and out of the mines. Huge trucks, shovels and cranes are used for purposes of moving large amounts of ore in surface mining. Machinery to be found in processing plants include roasters, crushers, mils and reactors. They help in the extraction of metals, minerals as well as other vital materials from ores.
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