Mining and Drilling
Mining and drilling are closely related. They are similar in that both involve excavation in the earth to uncover and extract resources. There are a number of different types of mining and associated drilling activities, including surface mining, underground mining, and advanced drilling technology, known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
Surface Mining
Surface mining is the extraction of minerals, usually from shallow pits or strips of earth. This type of mining is typically used for the extraction of coal, gas, and oil and other resources that can be mined without having to go too deep into the ground. Typically, surface mining is accomplished with heavy machinery and explosives, and the strips of land are called strip mines or open-pit mines.
Underground Mining
Underground mining is a different type of mining that involves going below the surface of the earth to uncover and extract resources. Underground mining is often more expensive and dangerous than surface mining, due to the greater hazards that accompany going below the surface. Underground mining is typically used for resources like coal, gold, and uranium, as well as for the extraction of natural gas and oil.
Advanced Drilling Techniques
In recent years, advanced drilling techniques, such as horizontal and directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing (or fracking), have been developed and used to extract resources that could not previously be mined. Horizontal and directional drilling allow miners to explore deeper into the earth, tapping into reservoirs of oil and natural gas that were previously inaccessible. Likewise, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, blasts water, sand, and other materials deep into shale and gas reservoirs, thereby releasing and harvesting these resources.
In conclusion, mining and drilling are two closely related activities, and they are used to take advantage of the natural resources that are found in the earth. The type of mining and drilling used is largely dependent on the nature and location of the resources being sought. Surface mines and underground mines are used to extract resources from shallow or deep pits, and advanced drilling techniques, such as hydraulic fracturing, can be used to tap into shale and gas resources.
