Mining For Beginners - How Does a Metals and Mineral Mine Work?

Summary

This video offers an in-depth look at the mining process, from extracting raw materials to transforming them into valuable products like gold bars and copper wire. It covers both above-ground and underground mining, detailing the steps from blasting rock to refining ore. Highlighting modern advancements, the video also showcases how sensor data and computer systems are revolutionizing mining for greater efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 📍 The process of extracting valuable minerals from the earth involves both above-ground and underground mining, with the method chosen based on the location and richness of the deposits.
• 🔍 Geologists and engineers use core samples and modeling software to plan the mine, determining the best areas to extract minerals and the type of mine to build.
• 💥 Above-ground mining begins with explosions to break up the rock, followed by the use of trucks to transport the broken rock to a crusher.
• 🏭 The crushed rock is then processed in a series of plants, including ball mills and separation facilities, to extract the valuable minerals.
• 🚛 Haul trucks, which can be autonomous, transport the rock from the mine to the processing plants, with some trucks being as large as three-story houses and carrying up to 400 tons.
• ⚙️ Processing plants use various methods such as roasters, autoclaves, leach heaps, or bubble concentrators to separate the valuable minerals from the rock.
• 🔩 The extracted minerals are then sent to refineries or smelters for purification, resulting in products like pellets, bricks, or bars for industrial use.
• 📊 Modern mining operations are increasingly using sensors and data analysis to monitor machine performance, identify issues, and improve efficiency and safety.
• 🌐 The sensor data is transmitted through a sophisticated communication network, with companies like Cisco Systems providing support to ensure the right data is available to operators at the right time.
• 🌱 Mine planning includes not only the extraction process but also the restoration of the area back to its natural state once mining is complete.

Q & A

What is the process of extracting gold from the ground?

Gold is extracted from the ground by digging up the earth and sluicing out the gold when it's close to the surface. For deeper deposits, prospectors look underground and use explosives to break the rock, which is then loaded into trucks and transported to a crusher. The crushed rock is further processed through various stages including pulverization in ball mills, separation, and purification in a smelter or refinery to produce gold bars.

How do geologists and engineers plan a mine before excavation begins?

Before excavation, geologists and engineers drill holes to obtain core samples, which are then input into modeling software to determine the location and shape of the best deposits. Based on this information, they decide on the type of mine to build and create a comprehensive mine plan that includes everything from the initial excavation to the mine's closure and restoration.

What are the two main categories of mines?

Mines generally fall into two categories: above ground and underground mines.

How is the rock broken in an above ground mine?

In an above ground mine, a pattern of holes is drilled into the ground to place explosive powder. After wiring the holes for detonation, an explosion is set off, leaving a bed of broken rock that can be loaded into trucks.

What is the role of haul trucks in an above ground mine?

Haul trucks in an above ground mine transport the broken rock from the excavation site to the crusher. They often form a circuit between the shovel that loads the rock and the crusher, and can be autonomous, driven by a programmed operating system without a driver on board.

What is the purpose of a rock crusher in a mine?

A rock crusher in a mine is used to further break down the rock into smaller pieces that can be easily handled by a conveyor belt for transportation to processing plants.

How does the ore processing differ for hard rock in a processing plant?

For hard rock, the first processing plant is typically a ball mill, which uses large metal drums with steel balls to pound the rocks into a fine dust. This dust is then transported to a separation plant where the valuable minerals are separated from the rest.

What happens to the separated valuable minerals after they leave the separation plant?

The separated valuable minerals are sent to a refinery or smelter where they undergo purification using a furnace. This process produces small pellets, bricks, or bars that are then sold to industrial companies for further processing.

How is underground mining similar to above ground mining?

Underground mining follows a similar process to above ground mining, starting with an explosion to break the rock, followed by loading the rock into trucks or chutes that lead to a crusher. The crushed rock is then transported to the surface and undergoes the same processing steps as in an above ground mine.

What role do modern data and computer systems play in the mining process?

Modern data and computer systems, along with sensors on mining equipment, help to monitor and optimize the mining process. They can detect issues such as overheating bearings, identify fatigued operators, and sort ore by grade level for efficient processing. This data is transmitted across a sophisticated communication network, enabling more efficient, safer, and more sustainable mining operations.

Outlines

00:00

🏭 The Transformation of Dirt and Rock into Valuable Metals

This paragraph introduces the process of mining and ore processing, explaining how raw materials like dirt and rock are transformed into valuable metals such as gold. It outlines the journey from the mine face to the shipping port, using Gold Quarry as a case study. The process begins with mine planning, where geologists and engineers use core samples to determine the best deposits. They then decide on the type of mine to build based on the deposit's location and shape. The paragraph distinguishes between above-ground and underground mines, focusing on the former. It describes the mining process starting with explosions to break the rock, followed by loading the broken rock into trucks, and then crushing it. The crushed rock is transported via conveyor belts to processing plants. The paragraph also touches on the increasing use of autonomous haul trucks and the scale of the operations, with some trucks being as large as three-story houses and capable of carrying 200 to 400 tons of rock.

05:03

🔩 From Ore to Finished Product: The Mining Process

The second paragraph delves into the details of the mining process, focusing on the transformation of ore into marketable products. It describes the use of a ball mill to crush hard rock into fine dust, which is then transported to a separation plant. The separation can occur through various methods such as roasting, autoclaving, leaching, or using a bubble concentrator. The valuable components are separated from the dust and sent to a refinery or smelter for purification. The end product, which could be pellets, bricks, or bars, is then sold to industrial companies for further processing. The paragraph also contrasts above-ground mining with underground mining, noting the similarities and differences, such as the use of smaller loaders and trucks in underground mines. It concludes by discussing the modernization of mines with sensors and data transmission, which allows for more efficient, safer, and sustainable operations. The role of Cisco Systems in providing communication networks for mines is also mentioned, emphasizing the importance of data in modern mining operations.

Keywords

💡Ore Processing

Ore processing refers to the series of operations involved in extracting valuable minerals from raw ore. It is central to the video's theme, as it details the transformation of dirt and rock into valuable materials like gold bars and copper wire. The script describes various stages of ore processing, including crushing, milling, and separation, which are crucial for isolating the desired minerals from the waste rock.

💡Gold Quarry

Gold Quarry is used in the script as a specific location where mining activities take place. It serves as an example to illustrate the mining process. The term is significant as it sets the scene for the educational narrative, showing how gold, a valuable mineral, is extracted from the ground and processed.

💡Explosives

Explosives are substances used in mining to break up large rocks for easier extraction. In the context of the video, explosives are mentioned as the starting point of the mining process, where they are used to blast rock in both open-pit and underground mines. The use of explosives is a critical step in accessing the valuable ores beneath the surface.

💡Conveyor Belts

Conveyor belts are a key piece of equipment in mining operations, used to transport crushed rock from the crusher to processing plants. The script highlights their efficiency in moving large quantities of material over long distances, with an example of the longest conveyor system in Morocco. They play a vital role in the logistics of ore processing.

💡Ball Mill

A ball mill is a piece of equipment used to grind and pulverize the rock into a fine dust. The script describes it as a system of large metal drums containing steel balls that rotate to break down the rock. This process is essential for separating valuable minerals from the waste material in the ore.

💡Separation Plant

A separation plant is where the valuable minerals are separated from the waste material. The video mentions different types of separation processes such as roasting, autoclaving, leaching, and flotation. This step is crucial for obtaining pure minerals, which can then be sent to a smelter or refinery for further processing.

💡Refinery or Smelter

A refinery or smelter is where the purified minerals are further processed into usable products like bars, bricks, or pellets. The script explains that after separation, the valuable minerals are sent to a refinery or smelter for purification using furnaces. This is the final step before the products are ready for industrial use.

💡Autonomous Haul Trucks

Autonomous haul trucks are self-driving vehicles used in mining to transport ore. The script mentions the increasing use of autonomous trucks in mines, which operate without a driver on board. This technology is significant as it represents an advancement in mining operations, potentially increasing efficiency and safety.

💡Mine Planning

Mine planning is the initial phase of mining where geologists and engineers devise a strategy for extracting minerals. The script describes how core samples are taken and analyzed to create a detailed plan for the mine's operation, from the first excavation to its eventual closure and restoration. This planning is essential for efficient and sustainable mining practices.

💡Sensors and Data

Sensors and data play a critical role in modern mining, as they provide real-time information about the mining operations. The script explains how sensors monitor machine performance, detect issues, and optimize the mining process. Data analysis helps in making informed decisions, enhancing the efficiency and safety of mining operations.

💡Restoration

Restoration refers to the process of returning the mined area to its natural state after mining operations are completed. The script briefly touches on this concept as part of the mine planning process, emphasizing the importance of sustainable mining practices that minimize environmental impact.

Highlights

Exploration of gold deposits begins with digging and sluicing on the surface, transitioning to underground mining as high-grade gold becomes scarce.

Geologists and engineers use core samples and modeling software to plan the mine, selecting the best deposit and determining the type of mine to build.

Mine planning encompasses from the initial excavation to the mine's closure and restoration.

Above ground mines initiate the mining process with controlled explosions to break the rock.

Explosive powder is strategically placed in drilled holes, followed by detonation to create a bed of broken rock.

A fleet of trucks, some autonomous, transports the broken rock from the mine to the crusher.

Rocks are crushed into smaller pieces by large rock crushers before being transported by conveyor belts.

Conveyor belts can extend for miles, linking mines to processing plants or docks.

Processing plants use ball mills to reduce hard rock into fine dust for further separation.

Valuable minerals are separated from the dust using various methods like roasting, autoclaving, or heap leaching.

The final step involves purification in a furnace at a refinery or smelter, producing market-ready pellets, bricks, or bars.

Underground mining involves similar steps but is conducted within a network of tunnels.

Modern mines utilize sensors and data transmission to monitor machine health and optimize operations.

Data from sensors is crucial for decision-making, traveling across sophisticated communication networks.

Mining has evolved to be more efficient, safer, and sustainable with the integration of modern data and computer systems.

Transcripts

how does dirt and rock turn into gold

bars copper wire and iron pellets

this whole process happens in a mine and

in a series of ore processing plants

often near the mine

in this video I'll walk you through this

whole thing from the mine face all the

way to the shipping Port so let's get

started

in this area called gold Quarry

the gold is pretty close to the surface

so they just started to dig up the

ground and then sluice out the gold

but after a few years the high grade

gold was harder to find and Prospectors

started to look underground where they

found really rich deposits

over time this area has turned into a

collection of above ground mines

underground mines and many types of ore

processing plants

it's the perfect place to learn how

minds work

how dirt and rocks turns into gold bars

and copper wire

so for the next few minutes we'll use

this map to walk through each step in

the process

let's start with mine planning before

any bulldozers and Haul trucks show up

the geologists and Engineers are busy

making a plan they drill a lot of holes

to get core samples and then when they

put these samples into modeling software

they get a pretty clear picture of where

the best deposits are and they pick one

of those deposits to start with

based on the location and shape of the

posit they decide on the type of mine

they will build and the whole mine plan

is put together from the first shovel in

the ground all the way to closing the

mine and restoring the area back to its

natural habitat

generally speaking Minds fall into two

categories either above ground or below

ground let's start with the above ground

mines and I'll walk through the whole

process using gold Quarry

mining always starts with an explosion

if we look at this mine you might think

that we're working at the bottom of the

hole but digging always starts at the

top and then Works its way down the side

of the hole one level at a time so we

should we could be working anywhere

along the side of that hole

first they drill a pattern of holes into

the ground to put explosive powder into

you can see the drills here and how

they've already drilled a lot of holes

once they're done drilling a special

crew comes to the area and they put in

specific amounts of powder into each

hole and then they wire up each hole for

detonation

after all the preparation they clear the

area and they set off a beautifully

orchestrated explosion

after the explosion they're left with a

bed of broken rock that can be loaded

into trucks typically there's a whole

Fleet of trucks that forms a circuit

between the shovel that's loading the

Rock and the crusher

in this mine that trip looks pretty

short but it's not uncommon for Haul

trucks to travel 45 minutes from the

time they're loaded to where they unload

today most trucks are driven by human

drivers but an increasing number of Haul

trucks are becoming autonomous that

means their route is programmed into the

truck's operating system and the trucks

can drive from one location to the next

without a driver on board

in an above ground mine these trucks are

often the size of a three-story house

and can carry between 200 and 400 tons

of Rock

the rocks in the bed of these trucks can

be still be quite large even though

they've been through an explosion

because of that trucks often dump their

load into a large Rock Crusher that

breaks apart the rock like a coffee

grinder working on coffee beans coming

out the bottom of the crusher the rocks

are smaller and small enough to be

easily handled by a conveyor belt

conveyors are an efficient way to move a

large continuous amount of crushed rock

some conveyors transport The Rock from a

Crusher like this one all the way to a

processing plant nearby

but in extreme cases conveyor belts can

be many miles long like from the

processing plant to the dock or from one

mine to another the longest conveyor

system is at a mine in Morocco at 61

miles long

now at the other end of this conveyor

The Ore reaches a series of processing

plants

if the ore is made up of hard rock the

first plant is a ball mill this is a

system of large metal drums with steel

balls inside that rotate and pound away

at the Rocks until they turn into a fine

dust

as you can imagine this makes a pretty

big rocket

next the dust is transported to a

separation plant of some kind

separation can happen in a roaster an

autoclave a leech Heap or a bubble

concentrator I'm sure there are other

kinds of Separation but you get the idea

the valuable bits of the Dust need to be

separated away from all the other parts

of the dust and then they're sent to a

Refinery or smelter

in this last step the refinery or

smelter does a purification of the

product using a furnace

this step produces small pellets or

bricks or bars that industrial companies

buy for further processing at this point

we have a product that the General

market buys for manufacturing or some

other type of commercial Enterprise

okay deep breath

that was above ground mining

underground mining is surprisingly

similar but in underground tunnels let's

have a quick look so that you have a

reference of that as well

hang on here we go deep under the ground

through a maze of tunnels and then you

get to the face where the mining starts

same as above ground it starts with an

explosion

in this case the drills put holes into

the Rock in multiple directions because

the tunnel is surrounded by valuable ore

when the explosion experts have wired up

the explosives into the holes they clear

the area and Kaboom the loaders pull in

and load up the rocks and put it into

trucks the loaders and trucks are much

smaller though because they need to fit

into these tunnels

the trucks haul the Oar to a Crusher

nearby or they dump it in a chute that's

been carved out of the Rock and that

takes it to while closer to the crusher

and then once the rock goes through the

crusher it drops onto a conveyor belt

just like before and takes the rock to

the surface

from there the r goes through the same

processing steps that we had before

Hard Rock gets pulverized in the ball

Mills and then separated in some kind of

separation process and then off to the

smelter or refinery

from there it's off to a shipping yard

where it's loaded and sent off to an

industrial customer

and that is how a mine works

but there's one more thing I think

you'll find interesting

for many years all the vehicles and

machines in the mine were set up to

deliver on the designed mining process

right from the beginning

operating the mind to capacity and

Performing maintenance was heavily

dependent on the ears and eyes of the

Mine Workers

they were the ones who knew when things

started to go wrong but this is all

about to change increasingly every

machine in the mine is being measured by

sensors that transmit data back to the

operations center when a bearing starts

to heat up or vibrate

sensors pick it up computers are helping

to identify fatigued operators flag ore

that's been dumped in the wrong location

and even sort or by grade level for

efficient processing and there's so many

more things

the sensor data that's required to make

these decisions travels across a

sophisticated Communications Network in

the mine

Cisco Systems the company that I work

for helps mining companies every day to

ensure that operators get the right data

at the right time

in summary

Minds start with Rock and dirt sometimes

deep below the Earth's surface and then

they transform it into products that we

use every day

thanks to Modern data and computer

systems this process can happen more

efficiently safer and more sustainably

than ever before

take care