This document provides an overview of mining, including what mining is, the types of minerals that are mined, different mining methods, and some current issues in the mining industry. It defines mining as extracting materials from the earth, and notes that most mining is of minerals. It describes the major types of minerals as metallic and non-metallic, and the main mining methods as open pit, strip, and underground mining. Finally, it outlines several issues currently facing the mining industry, such as environmental impacts, abandoned mines, challenges attracting workers, international competition, and economic impacts when mines close.

1. Mining

2. Mining?...Like Minecraft?
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3. Mining?
Mining is the process of
extracting something
from on or beneath the
earth.
Most of the mining that
we do is for minerals

4. What is a Mineral?
Minerals are naturally
occurring and found on
or beneath the earth.
They are inorganic
(non-living or never
living)

5. Minerals that can be mined for profit are called
ores.
These ores can be processed to make the pure
minerals we are familiar with

6. Types of Minerals
1. Metallic minerals
2. Non-Metallic Minerals
Industrial minerals
Structural minerals

7. Metallic Minerals
Often found in intrusive igneous rock
Can find valuable metals like nickel,
copper , zinc , lead, and gold
At one time magma containing these
minerals was forced up towards the earth’s
surface through fissures.

8. Industrial Minerals
 found mainly in sedimentary rock.
 Any mineral that is not a metal
 Includes:
Gypsum, diamonds, potash, stone, sand
asbestos, clay, salt, etc.

9. Types of Mines?
1. Open pit
2. Strip mines
3. Underground mining

10. Types of Mining – Open Pit
 Used when ore lies near the
surface
 Large hole exposes the ore
 2nd cheapest method, but has
the largest environmental
impact. Why?

11. Types of Mining – Strip Mining
 This mining is done in long, narrow
strips.
 The waste they take off of the top is
put on top of the last one.
 The cheapest and safest method, but
can have a significant impact on the
surface. Why?

12. Types of Mining – Underground
 Done when the rocks, minerals, or
gemstones are too far
underground.
 Very expensive and the most
dangerous, but has the least
impact on the earth’s surface.
Why?

13. Current Issues with Mining

14.  Mining has a long history of
bad environmental impacts.
 These range from acid rain,
to water pollution, and
others
 Cleaning up pollution is the
mining company’s job, and
it’s expensive.
Environmental Impacts

15.  Companies need to
clean up dig sites
after they’re done.
 Planting trees, fixing
landscape.
Abandoned mines

16.  Despite a boom in the industry, youth are rarely attracted to
working in the mining field.
 The mining industry needs young workers, but Canadian youth
are more attracted to high-tech jobs than working in mines.
Employment problems

17.  Other countries often have lower
labour costs, and keep their
production costs low.
 In order to compete, Canadian
companies need to find ways to
save money
 Often, they fire people and use
machines to do the work.
New mineral deposits discovered in
other countries

18.  When a mine closes,
the effect on jobs can
be terrible.
 Often, entire towns
shut down, because
the mine that
supported the
economy shut down.
Mining towns depend on mines for
existence