Extraction of rocks and minerals from the Earth: Practice Questions

Which mining method involves removing the top layers of soil and rock to access mineral deposits located near the surface?

Which factor is most likely to make the extraction of a known mineral deposit economically unviable?

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compares two potential mining sites with the following data:

Site A: Located in a primary rainforest; high biodiversity; near a major river system.
Site B: Located on degraded scrubland; low biodiversity; far from any water sources.

Which factor is the most likely reason Site A would be denied a mining permit?

Which mining method is most appropriate for extracting a large mineral deposit located very close to the Earth's surface?

Which activity is typically performed during the exploration phase before a mining license is granted?

State two factors related to accessibility that might influence the decision to extract a mineral deposit.

Justify the use of subsurface (deep) mining instead of surface mining when the mineral ore is located in a narrow, vertical vein deep underground.

A mining company is comparing two potential mineral deposits: Deposit X has an ore grade of \( 4.2\% \) and is located at a depth of 1200 m in a remote mountain range, while Deposit Y has an ore grade of \( 0.6\% \) and is located at a depth of 20 m near an existing industrial rail network. Discuss why Deposit Y is likely to be prioritised for development, focusing on the roles of geology, accessibility, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Mining activities often lead to significant land degradation.
(a) Evaluate the effectiveness of bioremediation compared to the creation of nature reserves as strategies for restoring a closed mine site.
(b) Explain how legislation can be used by governments to ensure that mining companies are held responsible for the long-term sustainable use of the land after extraction has ended.

A mining company is considering two potential sites for copper extraction. The data for both sites is provided below:

Site X: Located 15m below the surface; Ore grade: \( 0.4\% \); Distance to nearest port: 10km; Land type: Scrubland.

Site Y: Located 450m below the surface; Ore grade: \( 2.8\% \); Distance to nearest port: 180km; Land type: Primary rainforest.

(a) Identify the most suitable mining method for Site X and Site Y, giving a reason for each choice based on the data provided.
(b) Explain how geology and accessibility would increase the economic risk and initial capital investment required for Site Y compared to Site X.
(c) Evaluate why an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) might result in the rejection of a mining license for Site Y, despite it having a significantly higher ore grade than Site X.