How Mining Works

Preface to the Second Edition . v Preface to the First Edition. vii 1 The Where, What, and How. 1 The Structure of Planet Earth. 1 Definitions. 3 Concentrations of Metals. 13 Ore-Forming Processes. 15 Mine Exploration. 26 2 Mining Methods. 37 Surface Mining. 37 Underground Mining. 43 Mining Operations and Equipment. 53 Some Big Ideas. 65 3 Mineral Processing and Metal Refining. 67 Comminution. 67 Smelting and Refining. 84 Hydrometallurgy . 89 Physical Separation Methods. 106 4 Nonmetallic Minerals. 113 Coal. 113 Diamonds . 119 Aggregates . 123 5 Mine Waste Management. 129 Tailings. 130 Waste Rock . 139 Wastewater . 141 Acid Rock Drainage. 141 Mine Waste Treatment and Disposal Methods. 144 6 Mining, Society, and the Environment . 151 Human Resources . 151 Safety. 153 Health . 156 Mining and Society . 158 Mining and the Environment. 164 Mining and Sustainability. 167 Summary. 172 7 Mining and Money. 179 The Metal Supply System . 180 Metal Prices. 184 Resources and Reserves . 190 Reporting of Resources and Reserves. 196 Economic Analysis. 198 8 A Future of Mining. 203 Drivers of Innovation in Mining. 203 Paths for Innovation. 207 Biotechnology to the Rescue?. 210 Advanced Machines and Systems. 215 In Extremis: A Virtual Metal Supply Company. 218 Appendix A: All the Chemistry You Need to Know . 223 Appendix B: Grade Distributions and Grade-Tonnage Curves . 229 Index. 233