Insects project in Mining explorations?

In summary: Rabbits have been used by prospectors for a long time. They dig tunnels underground which often lead to valuable minerals.
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  • #2
Spacetectonik said:
Termite ,ants are among those insects which could be used for mining exploration ,what other Insects (or animals)you think could be used and why?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121211095007.htm

Thanks
Because DIG THEY MUST!


Ant hills have been used by prospectors for a long time. Gold, turquoise, and other valuable minerals have been found in the trailing ant leave while building an anthill.

http://www.mine-engineer.com/mining/anthill.htm
“There were anthills near old workings. Ants are known to bring grains of rock up to the surface. So, I got down on my hands and knees to look for blue specks in nearby ant hills. Within thirty minutes I spotted tiny blue grains in one deserted cone-shaped mound about eight inches high. I dug a pit down through the mound. A thin vein of solid turquoise opened up a few feet down. “

http://goldprospectorsnetwork.com/tutorials/692/13/Your-Prospecting-Partners...-the-ANT!
“Ant hills can be a good source for prospecting. Ants can dig down 2 to 4 feet, depending on the type of ant. As they dig, they bring up everything they can carry INCLUDING GOLD! Sure, it may be flake or flour gold, but gold nontheless.
Always use caution though, as some ants will "attack" and bite. You do not need to dig the whole thing up unless you find something promising. “

http://wygarnet.blogspot.com/
“The ants in the Green River Basin are gemologists – they know where the good stuff is and find many gem-quality.”

http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/public-info/onlinepubs/docs/IP-11.pdf
“One of these was a beautiful, 1- to 2-foot long aquamarine from the Anderson Ridge area found by a prospector from Lander. In 1998, approximately 13,000 carats of gem-quality peridot and industrial olivine were recovered from two anthills near Black Rock in the Leucite Hills north of Rock Springs.”
 
  • #3
Spacetectonik said:
Termite ,ants are among those insects which could be used for mining exploration ,what other Insects (or animals)you think could be used and why?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121211095007.htm

Thanks
Any animal that digs can help prospectors.

Rodents have been used by prospectors. Many rodents dig underground tunnels. The trailings of rodents often have valuable minerals from underground.


http://books.google.com/books?id=-9...=onepage&q="prairie dogs" prospecting&f=false
“The borings of animals, such as woodchucks, praire dogs and gophers, are according to ‘Mining World’ often help in prospecting for coal, iron and other minerals, sometimes even in the search for precious stones. Coal seams have often been traced for a mile or more on the praire turf by pieces of coal thrown out by prairie dogs, although there were no other visible signs of coal in the vicinity.”


Book store summary on book for using rabbits.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00070XW08/?tag=pfamazon01-20
“Cottontail rabbit scat as a biogeochemical prospecting tool in arid desert environments (Open-file report / Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey)”
 

1. What are the potential benefits of incorporating insects into mining explorations?

Insects have been shown to have unique abilities to detect and extract minerals from rocks and soil. By using insects in mining explorations, we can potentially increase the efficiency and accuracy of mineral detection, leading to cost savings and increased productivity.

2. How do insects play a role in mining explorations?

Insects can be used as bioindicators, meaning they can indicate the presence of certain minerals through their behavior or physical characteristics. They can also be trained to detect specific minerals through their keen sense of smell.

3. What types of insects are commonly used in mining explorations?

Bees, ants, and beetles are some of the most commonly used insects in mining explorations due to their natural abilities to detect and extract minerals. However, other insects such as termites and flies have also been studied for their potential use in mining.

4. Are there any potential environmental concerns with using insects in mining explorations?

While there are some concerns about the impact of using insects in mining on their natural habitats, these risks can be mitigated through careful selection of insect species and monitoring of their populations. Additionally, the use of insects can potentially reduce the need for more destructive mining methods, leading to a more environmentally friendly approach.

5. What are some challenges that may arise when incorporating insects into mining explorations?

One of the main challenges is the difficulty in training insects to detect specific minerals. This requires a deep understanding of insect behavior and may take time and resources to achieve. Additionally, there may be logistical challenges in sourcing and maintaining a sufficient number of insects for large-scale mining operations.

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