MINING OF

MINERAL
RESOURCES
EARTH BIOLOGY
Extracting Ores
oTwo types of mining:
oSurface mining: Strip mining, open-pit mining and quarrying.
The minerals is removed from the surface of the earth. The
minerals is removed by blasting or drilling. Coal and granite are
examples of surface mining. Sand and gravel are examples of
open-pit mining
oUnderground mining: Deep holes and tunnels are drilled into the
ground often to great depths. These tunnels are called shafts.
They rely on heavy machines, and they pay attention to mine
safety. Gold and Diamonds are examples of this mining.
 Refining Minerals
oSA is the largest producer of Iron in Africa, and it is used to
produce steel.
oThe iron that is obtained from the blast furnace is called “pig
iron” and it is further processed into cast iron and wrought iron
or steel
oGold is mined on Witwatersrand and Free State. Some of the
deepest mines are found in Boksburg, East Rand Mine and it is
3585 meters deep.
oThe ore which contains gold is grounded up and treated with a
sodium cyanide. The gold reacts with this and dissolves in it.
Zinc is added and the gold precipitates out. Sulfuric acid is
added, and the result is sludge that is melted to form gold bars.
How people used clay furnace to
obtain metals
 Mining in South-Africa
oMost important minerals in South-Africa is
oGold (33%), Manganese (75%), Chrome (66%), Platinum (50%), Vanadium and Vermiculite (33%), SA also
have titanium, diamonds, fluorspar, coal and antimony
oENVIROMENTAL IMPACTS OF MINING:

Habitat destruction
Treat to our biodiversity
Toxic left over materials that are dangerous
Pollution
Use lots of lands which decrease farming and wildlife environments
Destroys cultural heritage and modify the landscapes
Mining in
South-Africa