Mining

Part A:

1) What is strip mining? How is it done? Pros/cons?

Strip mining is removal of soil and rock above a layer or seam (eg. coal), followed by the removal of the exposed mineral.

First, the trees and bushes are pushed down with bulldozers. All of this, along with the filth or sand under it, is taken to a close area and dumped. Lots of holes are drilled from the rock that is above the coal or mineral bed. Explosives are put in the holes and blazed. This breaks up the rock which is taken to the dumping area.
When the coal or mineral is found, it may be broken up by the blazing. The size of the chunks is important because the miners don’t want it in pieces. They usually want it in pieces that are capable to be moved with big machinery.
This mining is done in elongated, narrow strips. When the ore is done in one strip, the miners start to create another strip next to it. The waste, filth, and rock that they take off of the top of the next strip is put on top of the last one. This is recurring until the last strip is done and the waste from the primary strip is brought back to fill it.



Pros -

• Low cost method of recovering minerals (if the strip ratio and other parameters are good).
• Safer if conducted in the properly, much safer than underground coal mining. 
• Can reshape topography of the earth to improve drainage, give more flat land.

Cons -

• Negative impact on wildlife.
• Reduce agriculture productivity.
• Explosives can cause vibrations and affect nearby structured and buildings.

2)What is shaft mining? How is it done? Pros/cons?

Shaft mining is the method of excavating a vertical or near-vertical tunnel from the top down, where there is initially no access to the bottom. This method is used when the rock or mineral is so far to reach using strip mining.

The shaft mine has a perpendicular man shaft, a tunnel where the men move up and down in an elevator. Equipment is taken deep inside the mine using this shaft, too. Short tunnels to the ore are excavated from that man shaft. When the ore is dynamited and broken into chunks, it is taken to the apex and loaded into trucks via a second shaft. There is normally an airshaft that gives the mine ventilation.

Tunnels are deepen and the mine is made bigger until there isn't any ore left, or it costs so much money to get it out. The mines are filled with some kind of cement or filler when mining is done. This keeps the land round it from sinking when the in mine beams rot away. It is a safer way to close a mine.

 

 

 

Pros -

• Uses less land area compared to strip mining.
• Easier to close mine than strip mining.
• Does not affect agriculture productivity.

Cons -

• Not a safe method, miners can get stuck in the shaft.
• Threats of cave-ins and release of toxic gases.
• Slower rate at extraction because space is not open like strip mining.

Part B:

 

1) Spouse of a miner

I would chose strip mining because it is a much safer method. Work safety would be a big priority for my spouse.
 

2) Owner of a mining company

 

As the owner of a mining company, I would chose strip mining since it is the most efficient method. There is no space restrictions, only open surface so the rate of extraction is faster. With the open field, it is easier to also survey any safety hazards. Because this method is so efficient, it is low cost.

 

3) Environmentalist

I would not chose any mining to be done at all. Mining in general has negative impacts on the environment as vegetation, wildlife, and air quality are all affected.

 

4) Owner of a nearby ski resort

I would chose shaft mining because the explosive of strip mining might release vibrations which might affect the ski resort. In strip mning, vegetation is not stabilized on the surface and so landslides and rockslides can occur without warning which would be a safety hazard for people at the ski resort.
 

5) Politician

 

 I would chose strip mining as it has less human casualities. Work safety is important and safety hazard is can be easily surveyed with the strip mining method.


Part C:

1) What does Turkey mine for? What type of mining is common?

Turkey mines for coal and other minerals. Shaft mining is also a common method used. In Turkey, especially in Anatolia, mineral exploration and mining facilities of deposits for metals and raw materials dates back to ancient times. Turkey has the largest prospective land area in Europe. However, the complex geologic structure of Turkey makes it more difficult for mine exploration and mining facilities. Turkey is one of the few countries which can provide most of their raw materials.