Mining

Summary

This environmental sciences video delves into the history and process of mining, from the California Gold Rush to modern methods like strip and open-pit mining. It highlights the importance of minerals in everyday life and the environmental impacts of extracting nonrenewable resources. The video also discusses legislation like the General Mining Act of 1872 and SMCRA of 1977, which aimed to regulate mining and reclaim land, emphasizing the ongoing challenges of tailings disposal and abandoned mines.

Takeaways

• 🏔️ Mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth, which are locked within ores and are nonrenewable resources.
• 🌍 The discovery of gold in California in 1848 led to a gold rush, highlighting the historical significance of mining.
• 💸 While many miners did not become wealthy, merchants selling mining equipment profited, indicating the economic impact of mining activities.
• 🛠️ There are various types of mines, including surface mines like strip mining and subsurface mines, each with different methods of extraction.
• ⚖️ Legislation such as the General Mining Act of 1872 and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 has been enacted to regulate mining practices and encourage reclamation.
• 🌿 Mining can have significant environmental impacts, including contamination of air, soil, and water, as well as a decrease in biodiversity.
• 👷‍♂️ Mining can be dangerous for workers, with historical examples like coal miners developing black lung disease.
• 🔍 The uneven distribution of mineral reserves across the planet leads to different regions having varying amounts of accessible resources.
• 📉 Hubbert's peak theory is mentioned, illustrating the concept that the extraction of minerals will eventually peak and decline as reserves deplete.
• 🔄 The process of mining involves extracting ores, processing them, and dealing with the leftover tailings, which can be challenging to manage and dispose of safely.

Q & A

What significant event in 1848 led to the gold rush in California?

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California by James Marshall in 1848 led to the gold rush.

What is the definition of mining as presented in the video?

Mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth, which are locked away within ore.

Why are minerals important according to the video?

Minerals are important because they are used in the production of various items we use daily, such as computers, glasses, and jewelry.

What is a key characteristic of the minerals being discussed in the video?

The minerals being discussed are nonrenewable resources, meaning they cannot be replenished once they are extracted.

What is the General Mining Act of 1872, and what was its purpose?

The General Mining Act of 1872 was legislation that encouraged mining on federal lands and offered protection to miners by allowing them to stake a claim.

What are the different types of mines mentioned in the video?

The video mentions surface mines, which include strip mining, open pit mining, mountain top mining, and placer mining, as well as subsurface mines where mining occurs below the surface.

What are tailings in the context of mining?

Tailings are the waste materials that are left over after the valuable minerals have been extracted from the ore during processing.

What is the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977, and what does it regulate?

SMCRA is legislation that regulates coal mining and also provides for the reclamation of lands affected by mining activities.

What is Hubbert's peak theory mentioned in the video, and how does it relate to mining?

Hubbert's peak theory is the idea that the rate of production of a resource, such as minerals, will reach a peak and then decline as the resource is depleted.

What are some of the environmental impacts of mining discussed in the video?

The video discusses environmental impacts such as contamination of air, soil, and water, decrease in biodiversity, and the danger to human health from mining activities.

How does the video describe the process of extracting minerals from deep within the earth?

The video describes the process of extracting minerals from deep within the earth through methods like open pit mining, where a large hole is dug from the surface down to the ore, and subsurface mining, where shafts are sunk to reach the ore.

Outlines

00:00

💎 Introduction to Mining and Its Impact

This paragraph introduces the concept of mining, starting with the historical discovery of gold in California in 1848 that sparked a gold rush. It explains that while many sought to become rich, it was the merchants selling mining equipment who profited. Mining is defined as the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth, which are unevenly distributed and nonrenewable. The paragraph also discusses the different types of mines, including surface and subsurface mining, and the legislative history that has shaped mining practices, such as the General Mining Act of 1872. The environmental and health impacts of mining are highlighted, including contamination and decreased biodiversity, leading to further legislation like the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977. The process of extracting minerals and dealing with tailings is also described.

05:01

🌳 The Evolution of Mining Legislation and Its Environmental Consequences

The second paragraph delves into the historical and legislative aspects of mining, emphasizing the General Mining Act of 1872 that allowed mining on public lands and the establishment of claims. It discusses the environmental consequences of mining over the past century, such as soil removal, loss of biodiversity, and the dangers of mineral exposure to humans and the environment. The paragraph then focuses on the SMCRA of 1977, which was enacted to regulate coal mining and facilitate land reclamation. An example is provided of a coal mine in Europe that was reclaimed after mining operations. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the ongoing challenges of abandoned mines in the US, exemplified by the Gold King Mine incident in 2015, which resulted in a chemical spill affecting multiple states. The importance of understanding the mining process, from extraction to the creation of tailings, and the need for responsible governance and reclamation efforts is underscored.

Keywords

💡Mining

Mining refers to the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth, often found within ores. This process is crucial for obtaining resources necessary for various industries, such as the production of electronics, construction materials, and jewelry. In the video, mining is discussed as a nonrenewable activity that has significant environmental impacts, such as contamination and biodiversity loss. The historical context of the gold rush in California illustrates the economic allure of mining, while the discussion of tailings and various mining methods like surface and subsurface mining highlights the complexity and environmental challenges associated with this industry.

💡Nonrenewable Resources

Nonrenewable resources are natural resources that do not replenish within a human timescale once they are consumed. Minerals, as mentioned in the video, are a prime example of nonrenewable resources. They are formed over millions of years and are finite in supply. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the depletion of these resources, as once they are extracted and used, they cannot be replaced. This concept is central to discussions about sustainable development and the future of resource management.

💡Ore

Ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably. The video script describes how ores contain locked-away minerals that are valuable for human use. The process of mining often involves extracting these ores from the earth, which then need to be processed to separate the valuable minerals. The script uses the example of a mountain sliced in half to illustrate the presence of valuable ore within the earth's crust.

💡Surface Mining

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals closer to the earth's surface. This includes techniques like strip mining, open pit mining, mountaintop removal, and placer mining. The video script discusses these methods as ways to access valuable ores without having to dig deep underground. The environmental impacts of surface mining are highlighted, such as the creation of large-scale disturbances on the landscape and the production of tailings.

💡Subsurface Mining

Subsurface mining, also known as underground mining, involves excavating minerals from below the earth's surface. The video mentions this as an alternative to surface mining, where shafts are sunk, and tunnels are dug to reach deep-seated ore deposits. This method can be less visually intrusive but still presents challenges such as managing tailings and ensuring the safety of miners working at depth.

💡Tailings

Tailings are the waste materials left over after the valuable minerals have been extracted from the ore during the mining process. The video script describes tailings as a byproduct of both surface and subsurface mining, which can pose significant environmental challenges. They often contain residual chemicals and metals that can contaminate water and soil if not managed properly. The script also mentions the difficulty of disposing of tailings, such as red mud from aluminum processing.

💡Legislation

Legislation in the context of the video refers to laws and regulations that govern mining activities. The General Mining Act of 1872 and the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 are highlighted as key pieces of legislation that have shaped mining practices in the United States. These laws not only encourage mining on federal lands but also aim to mitigate the environmental impacts by promoting reclamation and safer mining practices.

💡Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of mining is a central theme in the video, which discusses the various ways in which mining can contaminate air, soil, and water, as well as decrease biodiversity. The script emphasizes the need for responsible mining practices to minimize these impacts, such as through reclamation efforts and stricter regulations. The mention of the Gold King Mine spill in 2015 serves as a stark example of the long-lasting and far-reaching consequences of improper mining management.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in an area, including the number of species and their genetic diversity. The video script discusses how mining activities can lead to a decrease in biodiversity due to habitat destruction and contamination. The removal of soil and vegetation during mining can disrupt ecosystems and harm the species that depend on them. The script implies the importance of preserving biodiversity as part of sustainable mining practices.

💡Hubbert's Peak Theory

Hubbert's Peak Theory, mentioned in the video, is a principle that describes the bell-shaped production curve of a natural resource, such as oil or minerals. The theory suggests that production will rise to a peak and then decline as reserves are depleted. The script uses this theory to illustrate the finite nature of mineral resources and the inevitability of resource depletion, highlighting the importance of planning for a future where peak production has been reached.

💡Reclamation

Reclamation in the context of mining refers to the process of restoring land after mining activities have taken place. The video script discusses the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) as a piece of legislation that not only regulates mining but also promotes the reclamation of mined lands. Reclamation efforts aim to return the land to a more natural state, often involving the replacement of topsoil and the reintroduction of vegetation to restore biodiversity and prevent erosion.

Highlights

The gold rush in California in 1848 led to the extraction of gold by over 300,000 people.

Mining is defined as the process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth.

Minerals are essential for various products, including computers, glasses, and jewelry.

Minerals are nonrenewable resources, unlike crops, and once depleted, they are gone.

Legislation like the General Mining Act of 1872 encouraged mining on federal lands.

Mining impacts include contamination of air, soil, water, and a decrease in biodiversity.

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) of 1977 aimed to regulate coal mining and reclaim old mines.

Minerals can be found in various forms, such as fuel, metals, and non-metals like gravel.

Minerals are formed through the rock cycle, leading to an uneven distribution on Earth.

Hubbert's peak theory suggests that the extraction of minerals will eventually decline after reaching a peak.

Different types of mining include surface mining (strip mining, open pit mining) and subsurface mining.

Processing ores after extraction results in tailings, which can be challenging to dispose of.

Froth flotation is a method used to separate minerals from ores using chemicals and bubbles.

Smelting is a process where ores are heated to extract metals by taking advantage of different densities.

The General Mining Act allowed miners to stake a claim on public lands, securing 160 acres for mining operations.

SMCRA has been instrumental in regulating coal mining and promoting land reclamation efforts.

Abandoned mines, such as the Gold King Mine, present ongoing environmental challenges.

Transcripts

Hi. It’s Mr. Andersen and this is environmental sciences video 19. It is on mining. In 1848

at Sutter’s Mill in California James Marshall discovered some gold. This kicked off the

gold rush. Over 300,000 people came by land and by sea to California to strike it rich.

A few did, most of them did not. The people who did make money were the merchants who

were selling mining equipment. But what is mining? It is extracting valuable minerals

from the earth, locked away in the earth and locked within ore within the earth. Now we

need minerals. My computer is made of minerals, my glasses, my ring is made of minerals. We

need minerals. The problem is that they are formed naturally and they are distributed

unevenly. And so we are going to have different reserves in different parts of our planet.

Once we discover those reserves however, mining allows us to pull it out. Once it is gone

it is gone. These are nonrenewable resources. It is not like crops where you can plant them.

Once they are gone they are gone. What do we do once we have pulled the ore out. We

process it and what is left over are called tailings. Now there are a lot of different

types of mines. We have what are called surface and subsurface mines. Surface mines could

be things like strip mining, open pit mining. We have mountain top mining and placer mining.

Subsurface is where we actually dig down below the surface. Now we have had legislation that

has been put forward to encourage mining. The big one was in 1872. That was the general

mining act which encouraged mining on federal lands and offered protection to miners. They

could stake a claim. Now there are impacts of mining of course. We have contamination

of the air, the soil, the water. It is a decrease in biodiversity and also it can also be dangerous

to humans who are doing the mining. A hundred years ago being a coal miner was incredibly

dangerous. You could develop what is called black lung. And so since then we have put

forward more legislation. In 1977 is the surface mining control and reclamation act, also known

as SMCRA. It is a way to regulate coal mining but also reclaim some of these old mines.

And so what do we need? We need minerals, valuable minerals. That could be in the form

of fuel, like coal. We can have metals. And then we can also have non metals, like gravel

for example. How did these minerals get there? They are formed through this rock cycle. And

so for example as igneous rock is cooled you are going to have minerals deposited within

the rock. They can also come out of solution. But the key point is that it is somewhat random

on our planet where those minerals are found. This shows you the uneven distribution of

those valuable minerals. So for example we might be able to find gold. But a lot of those

minerals are owned privately and we do not even where they are. The key point is that

they are nonrenewable. This is Hubbert’s peak theory, and so if you look at for example

oil extracted in Texas, once they discovered oil in Texas, the amount increased and then

it dropped off. If we look at other parts of the US it increased and then it dropped

off. Or Norway for example. It increased and then it dropped off. Once we discover minerals

in an area we are going to deplete those minerals in an area. And so everything is going to

have a peak. We will have peak coal, peak oil, peak gold. It is all eventually going

to run away. And so how do we get the ores out? How do we get the minerals out? Imagine

this is a mountain that I have kind of sliced in half. And you can see some of the valuable

ore inside it. So how do we get to it? We we could do what is called a surface mine.

So that is what they were doing during a lot of that gold rush. You have these big troughs.

We have a placer mine where we dig the ore out and then we use water to rinse it off.

And then we have the tailings that are left at the end. We could do mountain top mining

where we literally remove the top of a mountain. We do do strip mining. This is really common

with coal. So we are going to build strip after strip after strip. And then we are going

to extract that ore. We are left with a lot of these tailings. We could even get to ore

that is really deep. So this could be a giant copper mine for example. Open pit, we dig

down from the top down to the bottom. Some of these are kilometers across at the top.

Again we have that same problem, what do we do with all of the tailings when we are done?

Or we could do a subsurface mine where we sink a shaft and then we are going to dig

out those ores as well. Once we have them then we have to process them. We have to grind

up that rock. And lots of times you grind it over and over and over again. So if we

are looking at for example a copper mine, now I have these really small ore and so I

have to extract the minerals. So I could do that with chemicals and also they will use

bubbles. So this is froth filtration where we will get the minerals deposited on the

surface of these bubbles. We extract them that way. And then we use smelting which is

heating them up. We get different densities and so we can pour off a lot of the, what

is called slag, the metals that we do not really need. But when we are done we are left

with what are called these tailings. And it is hard to get rid of those. This is red mud.

It comes from the processing that gives you aluminum. And so legislation has been put

forward to increase the amount of mining in 1872. The General Mining Act allowed miners

to mine on public lands. And it also allowed them to stake a claim. So you get 160 acres.

And so you do not have to worry about somebody else grabbing the ore. You can build up your

mining equipment and develop that. Of course there have been impacts over the last 100

years. You are removing the soil. You are removing a lot of that biodiversity. We get

some of the minerals moving into the air. A lot of it gets leached into the soil and

it is really dangerous for humans as well. And so in 1977 more legislation was put forward.

SMCRA, Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. It instituted the office of surface mining.

This kind of falls to the level of the states and so they are regulating coal mining. But

also it allows for reclamation of lands. And so this coal mine is actually in Europe. You

can see what it looked like years later. So we removed the soil and then we are putting

all of that back in and hopefully we get that biodiversity again. Now this problem never

goes away. We have thousands of abandoned mines in the US. You maybe heard about this

one in 2015, the Gold King Mine in southwest Colorado. It was a candidate for a superfund

site. EPA was monitoring it, but you had a rupture of the dam and we have all of these

chemicals spilling into the river that moved through Colorado and New Mexico. And so it

is a problem that we will have to deal with into the future. So did you learn the following.

Could you pause the video at this point and fill in all the blanks? I will try to. Again

what we are looking for are valuable minerals. And so the reserves are going to be here they

are found. We eventually create what are called tailings. Surface mining could be strip mining.

We also have open pit mining. In 1977 we had SMCRA put forward as a way to govern coal

mining and increase reclamation. So that is mining. And I hope that was helpful.