Understanding Mining Techniques: How Miners Locate & Protect Valuable Resources

[Ukitake Jyuushirou]

Hi all,

I have a question about mining (as in gem, uranium, gold etc). How do the miners know where to dig and how not to damage the ore during the mining process?

Thanks

 

[Astronuc]

Hi all,

I have a question about mining (as in gem, uranium, gold etc). How do the miners know where to dig and how not to damage the ore during the mining process?

Thanks

There is a lot of historical experience. The big mining companies more or less know where huge deposits might be, and then they drill for samples, which are then tested.


Metallogenesis and mineral ore deposits

Understanding mineral deposits

http://jeotermal.sdu.edu.tr/yayin/Comparison%20of%20Mineral%20Deposits.pdf

www.mta.gov.tr/english/dergi/dergi_pdf/76/7.pdf[/URL]

This gives an idea how core samples are strategically determined.
http://www.pdac.ca/pdac/publications/papers/2003/Schloderer.pdf


I'm not sure what means by "damaging the ore". It's dug in bulk out of the ground, then processed (concentrated) at the site. A more recent process is in-situ acid leaching, but that can have detrimental environmental impact.

 

[Ukitake Jyuushirou]

The thing is with mining, I'm always seeing them use big machines to drill into the Earth but then how would they know when to stop when they hit a lode of gold or diamonds? I am assuming of course that the drill bit can destroy the very thing they are trying to mine.

 

[Ukitake Jyuushirou]

But even if they know where more or less the precious minerals are at, I'm pretty sure they would hire a geologist to map out the areas underneath the Earth and the depth where its located at. So does anyone know the equipment, science and technique behind such an endeavor?

 

[Astronuc]

But even if they know where more or less the precious minerals are at, I'm pretty sure they would hire a geologist to map out the areas underneath the Earth and the depth where its located at. So does anyone know the equipment, science and technique behind such an endeavor?

See Chapter 3 (Technologies in Exploration, Mining, and Processing) in this report: Evolutionary and Revolutionary Technologies for Mining (2002)

http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10318