Mining

Mining is the <a href="/facts/Resource_extraction/w9WXxMx3">extraction</a> of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the <a href="/facts/Earth/HLLmDfj0">Earth</a>. Mining is required to obtain most materials that cannot be grown through <a href="/facts/Agriculture/TGztqzJs">agricultural processes</a>, or feasibly created <a href="/facts/Chemical_synthesis/3KXsVVwC">artificially</a> in a <a href="/facts/Laboratory/kqR3Vtx9">laboratory</a> or factory. <a href="/facts/Ore/kgc9DssX">Ores</a> recovered by mining include <a href="/facts/Metal/PT8hNX6R">metals</a>, <a href="/facts/Coal/83kV3qxg">coal</a>, <a href="/facts/Oil_shale/WSREUH8t">oil shale</a>, <a href="/facts/Gemstone/kHffmvE3">gemstones</a>, <a href="/facts/Limestone/8ntvtFnR">limestone</a>, <a href="/facts/Chalk_mining/NToJzD8x">chalk</a>, <a href="/facts/Dimension_stone/bSdSvEGx">dimension stone</a>, <a href="/facts/Rock_salt/9xEEKKT8">rock salt</a>, <a href="/facts/Potash/4e2vBL9L">potash</a>, <a href="/facts/Gravel/IwHG9JfI">gravel</a>, and <a href="/facts/Clay/xnwouEkB">clay</a>. The ore must be a rock or <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">mineral</a> that contains valuable constituent, can be extracted or mined and sold for profit. Mining in a wider sense includes extraction of any <a href="/facts/Non-renewable_resource/pTvw6edQ">non-renewable resource</a> such as <a href="/facts/Petroleum/IQV0bHVd">petroleum</a>, <a href="/facts/Natural_gas/9MYQ7NAP">natural gas</a>, or even <a href="/facts/Fossil_water/Fjc9zw3s">water</a>.
Modern mining processes involve <a href="/facts/Prospecting/6TbHwaPL">prospecting</a> for ore bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials, and final <a href="/facts/Mine_reclamation/2F0kvKzm">reclamation</a> or restoration of the land after the mine is closed. Mining materials are often obtained from ore bodies, <a href="/facts/Lode/Hc53EbcE">lodes</a>, <a href="/facts/Vein_(geology)/TyETstxF">veins</a>, <a href="/facts/Coal_mining/hJPK7wBl">seams</a>, <a href="/facts/Quartz_reef_mining/9CQk9sKl">reefs</a>, or <a href="/facts/Placer_deposit/rbAQIxgF">placer deposits</a>. The exploitation of these deposits for <a href="/facts/Raw_material/cthCpclF">raw materials</a> is dependent on investment, labor, energy, refining, and transportation cost.
Mining operations can create a negative environmental impact, both during the mining activity and after the mine has closed. Hence, most of the world's nations have passed regulations to decrease the impact; however, the outsized role of mining in generating business for often rural, remote or economically depressed communities means that governments often fail to fully enforce such regulations. <a href="/facts/Mine_safety/asYfl0rc">Work safety</a> has long been a concern as well, and where enforced, modern practices have significantly improved safety in mines. Unregulated, poorly regulated or <a href="/facts/Illegal_mining/LaDWVPWv">illegal mining</a>, especially in <a href="/facts/Developing_economies/eTfS4kxl">developing economies</a>, frequently contributes to local <a href="/facts/Human_rights/WMW5XCdM">human rights</a> violations and <a href="/facts/Environmental_conflict/goRWfTLl">environmental conflicts</a>. Mining can also perpetuate political instability through <a href="/facts/Conflict_resource/SKDqsokS">resource conflicts</a>.

Mining open-in-new

Mining