Download EAS Metals - The Mining Cycle - American Geosciences Institute

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Transcript 
The Mining Cycle
Exploration
Reclamation
Images: Martin Miller
Mining
Metals-6-1
Useful metals come from rocks
and minerals in the Earth’s crust.
Galena sample – a main ore of lead.
Image: Stonetrust, Inc.
Metals-6-2
Geologists explore for useful
metals by mapping, drilling, and
sampling rocks and minerals.
Image: Martin Miller
Metals-6-3
Many rocks containing useful
metals are mined from surface
excavations.
Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.
Metals-6-4
Some rocks containing useful
metals are mined from
underground.
Image: US Bureau of Land Management
Metals-6-5
After mining removes the rocks containing
useful metals, surface disturbances are
covered with soil layers and revegetated.
This is called reclamation.
Image: Kennecott Utah Copper Co.
Metals-6-6
Mines are not closed until
reclamation that protects surface
and water resources is complete.
Before
After
Images: Gold Institute, Echo Bay Mines; S. Warren
Metals-6-7
The Mining Cycle
Exploration
Reclamation
Images: Martin Miller
Mining
Metals-6-8
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