A 

mineral is a naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic substance that

has a definite chemical composition. In this case, some important elements
including metals can be economically extracted from specialized rocks
called ore deposits.

Methods of Mining
There are two methods of mining: surface mining and underground mining.

 Surface mining is used to extract ore minerals near the surface of

the earth. The soil and rocks that covered the ores are removed
through blasting. Blasting is a controlled use of explosives and gas
exposure to break rocks. Some examples of surface mining are open-
pit mining, quarrying, and strip mining.
 Underground mining is used to extract the rocks, minerals, and
other precious stones that can be found beneath the earth’s surface.
In underground mining, miners need to create a tunnel so they can
reach the ore minerals. This kind of mining is more expensive and
dangerous as compared to surface mining because miners need to
use explosive devices to remove the minerals from the rocks that
cover them.

Mineral Processing
Mineral processing is the process of extracting minerals from the ores,
refining them, and preparing these minerals for use. The primary steps
involved in processing minerals include sampling and analysis,
comminution, concentration, and dewatering.

1. Sampling is the removal of a portion which represents a whole needed

for the analysis of this material. One or more samples are needed.

2. Analysis is important to evaluate the valuable components in an ore.

This includes chemical, mineralogical, and particle size analysis.

 Chemical analysis uses electric discharge which excites the

elements in the sample to emit a certain spectrum which will reveal
the identity of the elements as well as its concentration.
  Mineralogical analysis uses heavy liquid-testing that aims to
separate the less dense, same density, and denser materials.
 Coarsely grounded minerals are classified according to particle
size through sieving.

3. Comminution is the process where the valuable components of the ore

are separated through crushing and grinding. This process begins by
crushing the ores to a particular size and finishes it by grinding the ores into
a powder form.

4. Concentration involves the separation of the valuable minerals from the

raw materials.

 Optical separation is a process used in the concentration of

minerals with distinct contrasting colors (black and white) seen with
the naked eye.
 Gravity separation is a process that uses the density of minerals as
the concentrating agent and performs a sink and float separation of
water and the grounded minerals.

Flotation separation is the most widely used method that makes use of
the mineral’s wettability to water or chemicals.

Magnetic separation is a process that involves different degrees of

attraction of minerals to magnets.

Electrostatic separation is a process that separate the mineral particles

based on their electric charges.

5. Dewatering uses the concentrates to convert it to usable minerals. This

involves filtration and sedimentation of the suspension and drying of the
solid material harvested from this suspension.

Mining ores for minerals, such as metals, are necessary for electrical
appliances and wires, kitchen wares, medical apparatuses, construction
materials, and even jewelry. Think of your kitchen.
Can you cook your food without a stove? Or can you cut the meat or
vegetables without the use of a knife?

What do you think will be the effect in our country if we stop mining
minerals?