Glossary of Mining Terms

A reference table for basic element data, with related information on average crustal abundances, isotopes, water quality standards, common minerals and more.  
                                           

Introduction to Mining

Mining is the drawing out of valuable minerals or other forms of geological matters from the earth, commonly (but not always) from an ore body, vein or (coal) stratum. Materials unearthed by mining consists of bauxite, coal, copper, gold, silver, diamonds, iron, precious metals, lead, limestone, nickel, phosphate, oil shale, rock salt, tin, uranium and molybdenum. Any matter that cannot be grown from farming processes, or created unnaturally in a laboratory or factory, is commonly mined. Mining in a wider sense encompasses extraction of any non-renewable natural reserves (e.g., petroleum, natural gas, or even water).

The mining industry holds 5 main industry sectors, which are classified by the resources they generate: oil and gas extraction, coal mining, metal ore mining, nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying, and sustain actions for mining.

There are 2 types of familiar mining strategies. They are

  • Surface Mining
  • Underground Mining
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    U.S. EPA orders former East Bay mine operator to take action to prevent contamination of waterway / Former Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine operator must stabilize pond containing mercury

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