Mining is one of the oldest occupations in human history. In the earliest days of our species, mining was a means of acquiring precious stones, minerals and metals. As technology developed and the use of metals and minerals becomes more integral in society, mining became a larger and more systematic endeavour. In ancient cultures, mining was used to build structures, tools, weapons, and armour.
In the Middle Ages, mining was used to access metals and minerals for manufacturing purposes. Mining was used in the production of weapons, the creation of coins, and the production of jewellery. Mining also helped build ships and produce food for the growing population. With the emergence of modern technology and the use of advanced techniques to find and extract materials, the scope of mining operations has expanded significantly.
The modern industry of mining is divided into two categories: surface mining and underground mining. Surface mining is the process of extracting material from the earth’s surface, while underground mining is done when deposits are located far below the surface.
Surface mining is the most common method of mining, as it is often more economical than its underground counterpart. The most common types of surface mining are strip mining, open-pit mining, and mountain-top removal. Strip mining is the excavation of strips of land for the removal of minerals. Open-pit mining is the excavation of a large hole in the ground for the removal of minerals. And mountain-top removal is the removal of entire mountains for the extraction of resources.
The development of surface mining technology has allowed for the extraction of more resources from the ground. Modern surface mining technology utilizes a variety of heavy machinery, from bulldozers and excavators to continuous miners. This machinery is designed to break up rock and extract minerals as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
Underground mining is the process of extracting minerals and other resources located deep below the earth’s surface. It is an extensive and dangerous undertaking due to the harsh conditions underground, as well as the possibility of flooding, cave-ins, and gas explosions. These safety concerns mean that the process of underground mining is highly regulated and monitored to ensure the safety of the miners working in the mines.
Unlike surface mining, which utilizes heavy machinery to dig and excavate, underground mining relies on tunnels and small passageways to access the minerals. Different types of underground mining include longwall mining, stoping, caving, and boring. Longwall mining is an extraction method that takes place on a large flat plane underground. Stoping requires the use of explosives and blasting to access the minerals. Caving is a method that involves digging wide paths within the cave system, while boring requires the use of a drill to break into the walls of the underground tunnel.
Mining is an essential component in the manufacturing of products, from the basic metals to the high-tech materials of today’s world. Mining provides integral resources in our everyday lives, and mining operations are constantly growing and innovating. Each and every day, mining provides the minerals and resources that go into making cars, ships, planes, and even the electronics we use in our modern lives. Without mining, our world would be a much less advanced place.
