Surface mining

Definition

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals and resources from the Earth by removing the overburden or soil that covers the deposits. This technique is often employed for minerals that are located close to the surface, making it more economical than underground mining. Surface mining techniques can significantly impact the landscape and ecosystems, which ties into the broader concerns about land use and environmental sustainability in mineral extraction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surface mining accounts for approximately 60% of the world's total mineral extraction, showcasing its prevalence in the industry.
2. This method is generally more efficient and cost-effective than underground mining due to lower operational costs and easier access to resources.
3. The environmental impacts of surface mining can include deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil erosion, raising concerns about sustainability and land rehabilitation.
4. Different techniques such as open-pit and strip mining are categorized under surface mining, each suited for specific types of deposits and geographic conditions.
5. Regulations and best practices are crucial in surface mining to mitigate negative impacts on the environment, including measures for land restoration post-extraction.

Review Questions

• How does surface mining differ from underground mining in terms of techniques and environmental impact?
  • Surface mining differs from underground mining mainly in its approach to accessing mineral deposits. While surface mining removes overburden to reach resources near the Earth's surface, underground mining involves digging tunnels to extract minerals located deeper underground. This leads to different environmental impacts; surface mining can drastically alter landscapes, destroy habitats, and increase erosion risk, whereas underground mining tends to have a less immediate visual impact but can cause subsidence and other long-term geological changes.
• What are some of the main environmental concerns associated with surface mining, and what strategies can be implemented to address these issues?
  • Environmental concerns associated with surface mining include habitat destruction, deforestation, water pollution from runoff, and soil erosion. To address these issues, strategies like implementing strict regulations for land restoration after mining operations, using sediment control measures to prevent erosion, and promoting sustainable practices such as reforestation or creating wildlife habitats can help mitigate the adverse effects. Additionally, employing technology for less invasive extraction methods may reduce ecological footprints.
• Evaluate the economic advantages of surface mining compared to other extraction methods while considering its environmental consequences.
  • Surface mining offers significant economic advantages due to its efficiency, lower operational costs, and higher yield compared to underground methods. However, these benefits come at a cost; the environmental consequences, such as landscape alteration and ecosystem disruption, cannot be ignored. A balanced evaluation reveals that while surface mining boosts resource availability and reduces prices for consumers in the short term, it raises critical questions about long-term sustainability. Thus, future practices must prioritize both economic gains and environmental stewardship to ensure responsible resource management.

Related terms

overburden: The layer of soil and rock that lies above a mineral deposit, which must be removed to access the resource underneath.

open-pit mining:

A type of surface mining where a large excavation is made in the ground to extract minerals, creating a pit that can be hundreds of meters deep.

strip mining:

A form of surface mining where layers of soil and rock are removed in strips to access the mineral deposits beneath, often used for coal extraction.