CHAPTER 1

ROCKS AND MINERALS

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

1- Explain the process of open-pit/surface mining.

How are minerals extracted using open pit mines?
Once prospecting is done and minerals are found in an area, natural
vegetation will be removed as well as all waste materials using excavators.
This is known as overburden. Explosives will be used in this case to make
the rocks more lose so they can be easily removed. The mine will be dug
into benches to prevent collapse of overburden or any rocks. Minerals will
then be extracted and transported to factories to be used.

2- How are minerals located deep underground extracted?

This is done using sub-surface mining. Shafts and passageways are

dug underground to reach those minerals deep inside. Explosives are used
to break the rocks which are then removed as an overburden until the ores
are reached.

3- Why is deep mining considered harder and more complicated than

open-pit mining?
This is because it is more dangerous. A supply of fresh air and water is needed.
There are also dangers of collapsing tunnels as well as risk of poisonous gas,
explosion or underground fire.
4- Why is open pit mining more harmful to the environment compared
to surface/deep mining?
Open pit mining requires digging very big holes which leads to removal
of a large amount of natural vegetation, and this damages the natural
habitat. The large amount of explosives used also cause spread of toxins
which can be leached to river and lakes at times of heavy rainfall. This
can eventually kill aquatic animals and may even cause
bioaccumulation and biomagnification. There will also be spread of toxic
gases which can cause harmful respiratory diseases such as lung cancer
and asthma. Also the dust that spreads during the process can lead to
respiratory diseases and prevent plants from photosynthesizing. It also
causes noise and visual pollution to residents in the area who might be
forced to move away.
5- Why is mining sometimes useful?
Mining creates many job opportunities which leads to less unemployment
and better standard of living. It also helps in extracting minerals that are
used in industries to make goods and services. Minerals can also be
exported abroad to countries who don’t have enough minerals hence the
country will generate income.
6- How can land be restored after mining?
First of all, bioremediation must be done. This is the process in which
living things such as bacteria and fungi are introduced to remove the
toxins by breaking them down. The overburden is then returned back to
the whole then plants and trees can be grown again. The mine can also be
turned into a reservoir to be filled with water. This mine can then be a
touristic attraction.