6 Things You Didn't Know About Mining

Mining is the process of removing valuable substances from the ground.

It’s an essential part of our everyday lives, as it provides the raw materials for many products we use.

You might not realize it, but mining is all around us. Here are six things you probably didn’t know about mining:

1. There are Various Kinds of Mining

Many of us are familiar with open-pit and underground mining, but there are many different types of mining you probably didn't know.

In case you didn't know, quarrying is a type of mining. It is the process of extracting stone, sand, or other minerals from the ground. It's usually done in open-pit mines, which are large holes excavated in the ground to remove the desired materials.

Strip mining is another variation of mining that involves removing a strip of land surface. As the name implies, it is a type of surface mining that involves taking off a strip of the land surface to access the desired minerals underneath. It's typically used for coal and other minerals near the earth's surface.

While we often picture underground mines as man-made caverns with tracks, there are different types of underground mining. Underground mining is used to extract minerals located deep below the ground's surface. There are several types of underground mining, including shaft, slope, and drift. Underground mining is different from placer mining, which is a type of mining that involves extracting resources from riverbeds or beaches. In placer mining, miners extract resources (such as gold or gemstones) from sediment deposition near bedrocks and coarse gravel in streams, rivers, lakes, or seashores. The materials are then transported to a processing facility where they are separated from the sediment.

2. Mining is One of the Oldest Industries in the World 

Mining has been around for thousands of years. It is thought that mining was one of the first industries to develop after the Stone Age. Early humans used simple tools and methods to extract minerals from the earth, which they then used for various purposes – from making tools and weapons to gold and precious metal jewelry and even artwork. Early man probably sank the first mines to extract flint for making tools. In the Stone Age, copper was mined in Europe and Africa. Tin was mined in Cornwall, England, and iron was extracted from bog iron in Sweden.

3. Mining is a Vital Part of our Economy

Mining is a vital part of our economy and has been for centuries. It is the process of extracting minerals and other materials from the earth's surface. Mining has always been essential to the development of human societies, as it has provided the raw materials used to build cities and create industries.

The mining industry makes a significant contribution to the global economy. In 2016, the value of minerals and metals produced by mining was estimated to be US$3.7 trillion – that’s almost 5% of the world’s GDP! The industry employs millions of people worldwide, including many in developing countries.

4. Mining Can be Dangerous

Many dangers are inherent in mining, including exposure to toxic chemicals, dust, and noise; risks of injury or death from falling rock or equipment; and hazards from mining machinery. In addition, miners may work long hours in difficult and often isolated conditions.

Despite these dangers, mining is essential to our economy and way of life. It provides raw materials for construction, manufacturing, and other industries. And it helps us meet our ever-growing energy demand.

5. Mining Can be Used to Help the Environment 

Despite the environmental effects of mining, it can also be used to help the environment. For example, extracting minerals such as copper and gold can be used to make electrical cables and solar panels, which help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. And mining waste can be used to create things like concrete and asphalt, which are then used in the construction of buildings and roads.

6. You Might be Surprised by Where Mining Takes Place 

Mining doesn’t just take place in remote, rural areas but also in some of the world’s biggest cities! A 2020 report found more than 12,000 active mines in the United States, with most of them located in urban areas. So next time you’re walking down the street, spare a thought for the miners who are busy extracting the minerals that make our modern lives possible!

Mining is an essential part of our economy and our way of life, but it’s also an industry with a long history and a bright future. As we continue to mine the earth for its valuable resources, we’re also working to minimize the environmental impact and find new ways to use mining to help the planet. Who knows what we’ll discover next?