Introduction to Mining

Mining was one of the first industries to progress North. Nowadays, mining continues to be a primary source of employment and possibilities. Over the years, gold, zinc, lead, nickel are some of the resources that have been mined and sold from the North Western Territory. The mining industry has been even more progressive with the discovery of diamonds. Many jobs and career opportunities arise from this industry.

WHAT IS MINING?

Mining is the act of finding, digging, sorting out and selling of the earth’s valuable minerals and resources. These minerals can be gold, zinc, lead, nickel, uranium and tungsten. Sometimes, diamonds, silicon, coal. In fact, these minerals and resources are in demand by people around the world. 

FINDING MINERALS

Finding minerals is often called exploration. Geologists look for ore bodies by looking at the maps and spending a lot of time with a rock hammer. When they find minerals, they report it to the government. The area is then studied by geophysicists by sending electro-magnetic signals into the ground and reading the signals into the ground and reading the signals that bounce back up.

BUILDING A MINE

One must be patient in waiting because it usually takes about two years to build a mine. All the supplies and equipment have to get to the site. A mill is usually built for the rock to be crushed and sorted by large machines.

GETTING THE ROCK OUT OF THE GROUND

The rock must be broken up, then, it is brought out. Holes are drilled into the rock and filled with explosives in order for one to break it. The blasted rock is then dug out with big machines.

GETTING THE MINERAL OUT OF THE ROCK

Miners use many techniques to get the ore out of the rock. First, the rock is crushed into powder. Then, the powder is either washed so that the heavier mineral sinks and is taken from the bottom, or if it’s a lighter mineral, then, it is combined with different chemicals so that it will rise to the top where it is taken off. Some minerals, such as diamonds, are separated by spinning the concentrate.

KEEPING THE MINE RUNNING

Having office workers is necessary in any mine site. These people hire workers, order supplies and manage the whole business. Some companies may be contracted to cook, clean, build, or move people and supplies to and from mine.

WATCHING THE ENVIRONMENT

Before a mine opens, studies are carefully done on animals, plants, water and people. The environment around the mine is examined and measured for changes while the mine is running. When the mine closes, the company must try to leave the site as close as possible to what t was like before the mine opened. In addition, the work is done by professionals in the field of resources and environmental management.