Mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals or other geological materials from the Earth.
These materials can be metals (like gold, copper, iron), non-metals (like graphite, limestone, salt),
or energy resources (like coal, uranium).
Definition
Mining is:
“The science, technique, and business of discovering, extracting, and processing minerals from the
Earth for economic use.”
⚒ Types of Mining
1. Surface Mining – extracting near-surface deposits
o Open-pit mining
o Quarrying
o Strip mining
2. Underground Mining – extracting deeper deposits
o Room-and-pillar
o Longwall
o Cut-and-fill
o Block caving
3. Placer Mining – recovering minerals from river sediments or alluvial deposits (e.g., gold
panning).
Stages of Mining
1. Exploration – searching for mineral deposits (geological surveys, geophysics, drilling).
2. Development – evaluating the deposit and planning extraction.
3. Extraction – removing the ore or mineral.
4. Processing/Beneficiation – separating valuable minerals from waste rock.
5. Closure/Reclamation – restoring the land after mining ends.
Importance of Mining
• Provides raw materials for construction, energy, electronics, and manufacturing.
• Supports economic development and job creation.
• Supplies critical minerals for green technologies (e.g., graphite for batteries, lithium, rare
earths).
Challenges
• Environmental impacts: deforestation, water pollution, habitat destruction.
• Social issues: displacement of communities, health hazards.
• Sustainability: balancing resource use with environmental protection.
