Journal of Powder Metallurgy & Mining
Open Access

Surface mining methods dominate the arena production of minerals. Currently, nearly all non-metallic minerals [more than 95%], most metallic minerals [more than 90%] and a massive fraction of coal [more than 60 percent] are mined by surface strategies. The subsurface of the earth is the best source for fossil energy and mineral products, and mining is the best manner to get at them.

There is a huge kind of surface mining techniques. The operations of drilling, blasting, loading and hauling are common to most techniques. Technological traits through the years have enabled the utility of surface techniques to deeper and leaner deposits. Also common to all methods is the elimination of the surface cover over the deposit, the adjustments to the original topography, the effects on soil and hydrologic conditions, the problems of mining and processing wastes, and the impact on the future economic potential of the mined areas and communities [1].

Taxonomy of Surface Mining

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are the second one main reason of nonfatal injuries and might lead to deadly incidents in the mining industry. Hazard identity is an critical first step in remediating STF risks and developing a more secure work environment. Previous research has identified industry-specific risk factors for STFs, evaluated exposures to those chance factors, and developed taxonomies of the hazards for the construction and farming sectors. In comparison, Ergo Mine-a cell tool application-based ergonomics audit tool-is the only systematic evaluation device that covers STF risks in the mining industry. In addition to current regulations, requirements and guidelines have been used to develop the taxonomy to ensure the focus become beyond basic compliance. The STF hazard taxonomy may be used to develop tools like checklists and ergonomics audits to identify and remediate slip, trip, and fall risks at surface mining facilities, thereby improving worker safety [2].

Surface Mining and In Situ Applications

Life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to main recovery and extraction procedures presently utilized in Alberta's oil sands, surface mining and in situ, are quantified. Process modules are advanced and incorporated right into a life cycle model-GHOST (Green House gas emissions of current Oil Sands Technologies) evolved in previous work. Through the usage of improved data received from operating oil sands projects, we present ranges of emissions that overlap with emissions in literature for conventional crude oil. An accelerated focus is recommended in policy discussions on understanding inter project variability of emissions of each oil sands and conventional crudes, as this has now no longer been adequately represented in previous studies [3].

Cyanide Hazards to Plants and Animals from Gold Mining and Related Water Problems

Cyanide extraction of gold through milling of high-grade ores and heap leaching of low-grade ores requires cycling of millions of liters of alkaline water containing excessive concentrations of potentially toxic sodium cyanide (NaCN), free cyanide, and metallic-cyanide complexes. Some milling operations bring about tailings ponds of 150 ha and larger. Heap leach operations that spray or drip cyanide onto the flattened pinnacle of the ore heap require solution processing ponds of about 1 ha in surface area. Puddles of diverse sizes may arise at the top of heaps, wherein the best concentrations of NaCN are found. Solution recuperation channels are typically constructed at the base of leaches heaps, a number of which can be exposed. All those cyanide-containing water our bodies are unsafe to wildlife, particularly migratory waterfowl and bats, if not nicely managed. Accidental spills of cyanide solutions into rivers and streams have produced huge kills of fish and other aquatic biota. Exclusion from cyanide solutions or reductions of cyanide concentrations to nontoxic levels are the best positive methods of protecting terrestrial vertebrate wildlife from cyanide poisoning; a variety of exclusion/cyanide reduction techniques are offered and discussed. Surface discharge of excess mine dewatering water and different waters to main waterways may include extra quantities of arsenic, total dissolved solids, boron, copper, fluoride, and zinc. When mining operations cease, and the water pumps are dismantled, those large open pits can also additionally slowly fill with water, forming lakes. The water quality of pit lakes may present lots of pressing environmental problems [4].

Environmental Impacts of Surface Mining

Impacts of surface mining on ecosystems have been investigated in the Guangdong Dabaoshan Mine region, southern China. Significant soil acidification has been triggered by mining sports which cause oxidation of metallic sulphides contained in the mine spoils. Natural colonization of flowers within side the mine site has been impeded and this has resulted in intense soil erosion. Acid mine drainage from this mine site has caused the degradation of the downstream aquatic ecosystems. Acidic mine water also had marked influences on the rural lands irrigated with it. Severe infection of the soils by mine drainage is answerable for the extremely high concentrations of a few heavy metals in the edible quantities of a variety of food vegetation grown on the agricultural lands [5].

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5. Lin C, Tong X, Lu W, Yan L, Wu Y, et al. (2005) Environmental impacts of surface mining on mined lands, affected streams and agricultural lands in the Dabaoshan mine region, southern China. Land Degrad Dev 16:463-474.

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