LOVASOA CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCE CENTER
Antsirabe,
MADAGASCAR
Figure 1: Mining Engineer
MINING
By Lova Nantenaina Henriot ANDRIATIANAMALALA
July– October 2024
Teachers: Mr RALAMBOTIANA Fandresena Princy
Ms JENNIFER Pamella
Mr ANDRIANOELY Eznaratiana
ABSTRACT
Mining is the process of extracting resource and valuable minerals from the
earth, playing a vital role in various industries and economies. The process includes exploration,
extraction and processing using methods like open pit mining and underground mining.
Although exploitation is economically essential, the industry faces serious obstacles, including
environmental degradation, diminishing resources and social impacts on local communities.
ACKNOWLEGEMENT
After two years I spent learning and the last four months studying at Lovasoa, I
would like to present to you my book titled MINING. First, thank Lord for the fulfillment of
this moment. With his help and some people, I am able to complete this term until the end.
Therefore, I would like to express my happiness and my deepest gratitude to all of you
particularly:
- To my teachers Princis Fandresena RALAMBOTIANA and JENNIFER Pamella who
brought out the best in me and helped me for this achievement.
- To my tutor Eznaratiana ANDRIANOELY who helped me and gave some advices for
doing this book.
- To my parents and my friends for their continued supports and encouragements.
- To my classmates for all the practices we did together and the sweet moments we
shared during class times.
THANK YOU ALL!
GLOSSARY
Mine: is an industrial exploitation of a deposit from which a particular solid material is
extracted ore
Miners: a person who works in mine
Quarry: is a large place where the materials are extracted from the ground
Mineral: is an inorganic substance that has a crystalline shape and is natural
Drilling: is the creation of holes with the help of a drill
Hydraulic: operated by the pressure of water or other liquids
Ore: is a type of rock or mineral that contains valuable substances, typically metals or
minerals
Topsoil: the top layer of soil
Hoist an act of raising or lifting something.
Flood: an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits,
Malleable: able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking
Canyon: is a deep gorge or narrow valley with sides formed by the erosion of rock
Shaft: is an excavation method used to access an underground ore body from the top down
Ramp: a sloping surface joining two different levels
Atoms: is the smallest particle of a chemical element that can exist.
Opaque: is not transparent that mean not able to see through
Bauxite: is an aluminum ore
Metalloids: is chemical elements whose physical and chemical properties fall in between the
metal and non-metal categories
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgment ............................................................ Erreur ! Signet non défini.
Glossary .......................................................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
Table of Contents ........................................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
Introduction................................................................. Erreur ! Signet non défini.
I- Importance of mining ......................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
A- Contributing to the economy ............................. Erreur ! Signet non défini.
B- Technology and innovation................................ Erreur ! Signet non défini.
II- Different methods of mining .............................. Erreur ! Signet non défini.
A- The open pit mining ........................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
B- Underground mining .......................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
III- The minerals extracted and their uses ................ Erreur ! Signet non défini.
A- Metals minerals .................................................. Erreur ! Signet non défini.
B- Non-metallic minerals ........................................ Erreur ! Signet non défini.
Conclusion .................................................................. Erreur ! Signet non défini.
Bibliography/webography .......................................... Erreur ! Signet non défini.
INTRODUCTION
The future of our planet could be decided in the depths of the mines, mineral
innovations could be the key to solving the major environmental crises of our time. Each mining
activity brings material wealth, but also a series of environmental impacts that require
immediate attention. Does mining really give us the benefits it promises, or does it leave behind
irreparable damage? Mining is nothing new; it developed through ancient Egypt and Roman
innovations, and then flourished in the Middle Ages thanks to coal and precious metals. The
industrial revolution began to introduce machines to large-scale mining. Today, sustainable
technologies and methods are influencing the industry, balancing resource extraction with
environmental issues; nowadays, mining is a crucial industry, driving economies and
technological advancements. Modern practices focus on balancing economic benefits with
environmental. Mining is an industrial activity in which rocks are extracted from the earth's
crust and then removed useful minerals for use by humans. It plays a role in providing essential
raw materials for various sectors, such as construction or technology or energy and is essential
for several reasons. The study of mines makes it possible to optimize economic benefits while
minimizing environmental impacts and improving worker safety. In this discussion, we are
going to organize our assignment into three main parts. First, we are going to delve into
multifaceted the importance of mining, then we will look at the different methods of mining,
and finally, analyzing minerals and their uses. This structure will allow us to cover the different
aspects of the subject in depth.
I- IMPORTANCE OF MINING:
Mining plays, a crucial role in many aspects of modern society and it is central to the
international economy and has a variety of impacts.
A- Contributing to the economy:
1- Job creation:
Mining creates jobs in the region where the mines are located; it needs a large workforce
to extract minerals, the number of people needed for a mining quarry depends on the
size and type of the quarry but on average, at least you have to employ 50 to 100 men
to extract the useful elements under the ground. For examples: the geologists and
engineers who work for exploration and planning, the miners and equipment operators
who work for extraction process and not to mention the technicians and maintenance
who keep machinery running.
Figure 2: Engineers working in a quarry
2- National revenues:
National revenue from mining comes from a variety of sources, and this revenue are
beneficial for resource-rich countries. As we are talking about national revenue, it is
good to know that there are some minerals that are exported abroad and the producing
countries have profits for that; for instance, the engineer or the company that sells the
mineral at market prices and this revenue goes back to the government in the form of
taxes. Additionally, the mining sector appears to be one of the main driver of economic
development because the direct national revenue is the sale of the mined minerals.
3- Infrastructure development:
Mining is often needed for large infrastructure project to support the steps to make the
mining; this development can transform regions, so it is essential for economic growth,
poverty reduction and improving the quality of life of the population. For examples,
mining can lead to the construction of roads, bridges, housing and schools because
mines are often located in areas far from the city or underdeveloped. Such infrastructure
is expected to benefit mining companies and local communities.
Figure 3: Manufacturing of infrastructure to carry out the operation
B- Technology and innovation:
1- Advanced extraction technique:
Nowadays everyone uses modern technologies, and miners use it too because it is easy
to extract resources more efficiently. The better you use robot and automation, the easier
you can extract minerals. In the mine, the materials like: crushers, separators, pumps
and trucks, excavators are the most used because it reduces human presence in
dangerous areas and increases the efficiency of operations. For instance, using robotic
drills can work with high precision and minimizing human error, so it brings us to reduce
the risk of dangerous work or worker safety, reduce environmental impacts, and
maximizing resources while minimizing waste.
Figure 4: Companies use 3D printing
2- Mineral processing technology:
Ore processing refer to the process used to extract precious metals or the substances
from raw rocks. For mastering mineral processing methods, we can maximize the value
of natural resources while minimizing environmental impact. For examples, modern
mining equipment offers greater energy efficiency like excavators and electric drill
compared to the traditional equipment such as shovel and hand. It is good to know that
the machine can work longer 24 hours a day but humans cannot do that.
Mining lies in its ability to provide critical resources needed for technological development
and economic stability. To achieve this, a range of extraction methods are employed such
as open pit mining and underground mining, so each technique has advantages and
environmental impact.
II- DIFFERENT METHODS OF MINING:
Mining involves a variety of methods, each adapted to the specific characteristics of the mineral
deposits and the geological and economic conditions.
A- The open pit mining:
To create an open pit mine, you have to know information about the mineral or ore that
are underground, you should apply reconnaissance drilling in the ground and you should
record the location of each drilling on the maps that you are going to exploit.
1- Definition and procedure of open pit mining:
a- Definition: open pit mining is one of several tunnel-free mining approaches that
allow miners to easily access minerals and stones near the earth's surface.
Explosives help create massive canyon-like holes and heavy machinery refines
the holes into usable pits and extracts valuable materials that the large trucks
then transport; solid and liquid waste is usually stored in landfills close to the
pit.
b- Procedure: first, it is necessary to carry out a geological survey to identify the
size, shape, depth and quality of the mineral deposit. Therefore, it is necessary
to drill a lot and analyze the samples to characterize the ore and the geological
conditions. Then, not to mention the environmental study because the
exploitation has potential environmental impacts, completing an environmental
impact to protect and mitigate the impacts on fauna and flora, water and soil.
After the sites must be prepared by removing and cleaning: the objective is to
remove the surface layer to access the mineral resources, so the mining
equipment must be used to remove the topsoil and soil layers located above the
deposit and the miners or industries must build infrastructure to set up the
facilities necessary to complete the exploitation, includes the construction of
access roads, ramps, storage infrastructure and processing facilities.
Afterwards, extracts the ore from the pit, the ore must be extracted using
mechanical shovels, trucks, machinery, etc…
The ore is transferred to the processing centers. Next, transport the mined ore to
areas that can be processed or stored using trucks or conveyors or trains
depending on the distance and volume of ore. Finally, the treatment and
recovery, before transporting, the minerals should be crushed and grinded to
reduce the size of the ore particles and this facilitates transport and further
processing.
Figure 5: The open pit mining
B- Underground mining:
Underground mining is the process to extract minerals that are located deep
underground or from beneath the earth’s surface.
1- Definition and procedure of underground mine:
a- Definition: underground mine is created when deep tunnels are dug to reach an
ore deposit by making the main vertical tunnel is called a shaft. At its top, there
is a wooden or concrete headframe containing a grooved wheel that is attached
to a hoist to transport miners and equipment from the surface to the underground
workings. On the other hand, an underground mine is a network of vertical and
horizontal tunnels to reach the ore that will be brought to the surface by a shaft
and directed to the concentrator.
b- Procedure: first, you have to do a preliminary study that mean it is important to
analyze the resources for geological and geophysical studies to determine the
quantity, quality and depth of minerals. Afterwards, miners must carry out
feasibility studies, which is to say to examine the economic and technical
viability of underground mining and to consider the costs, benefits and
environmental impacts. It is better to do a project design for developing the
operating plan, which include the design of underground tunnels, shafts, ramps,
etc... If there are possibilities, it is good to create 3D models to better visualize
the reservoir and plan operations, then the risk assessment to see the stability of
the ground, floods, gas emanations. The shafts and access ramps must be
constructed to facilitate the entry and exit of people, minerals and materials.
There is no air there; so in this case, you need to ensure the breathing of workers
to have fresh air because you cannot work without air; for this reason, it is
advisable to install ventilation systems from the outside to the inside. To finish,
the mined ore will be moved to a processing unit to be crushed, grinded, and
processed to extract valuable minerals.
Figure 6: Underground mining
The two extraction methods used are related to the specific minerals they extract, both
extraction methods can be used to exploit useful resources such as metals, precious stones and
industrial minerals, exploring these minerals and their applications.
III- THE MINERALS EXTRACTED AND THEIR USES:
Different minerals are extracted and used for various purposes, so each with specific uses in
different industries, so here we are going to see some examples.
A- MINERALS METALS:
Metals are materials whose atoms are joined by metallic bonds. These simple bodies or
alloys are most often hard, opaque, shiny, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
1- Precious metals:
These are elements that have great value and are known by their durability, rarity,
and special properties such as corrosion resistance and conductivity.
There are some precious metals, but we are just going to see three of them:
a- Gold: is a precious metal known for its beauty, rarity and quality that used in
jewelry such as bracelets, rings and necklace, electronic devices and as a store
of value. Previously, it was used as a form of currency in various artifacts for
thousands of years; it is good to know that gold is a soft, malleable and ductile
metal that has a bright yellow color.
b- Silver: also has proprieties similar to gold but it is known for its lustrous
appearance and versatility, we can use it in jewelry too, in industry and as a store
of value.
c- Platinum: is a precious metal known for its unique propriety and it is often used
in automotive catalytic converters, electronics, and jewelry. Their extraction is
often more complex and expensive.
Figure 7: some precious metals like gold and silver
2- Base metals :
These are metal elements that are not considered valuable due to their abundance in
nature and relatively low cost. They are often used in industries because of their
advantageous physical and chemical properties.
Here are examples of base metals:
a- Copper: is a metal known for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity,
it is nice to be informed that silver is malleable, ductile and has a distinctive
reddish-brown color. As we know, it is used to make electrical cables and many
industrial applications. Its use marked the beginning of the metal age and played
a best role in the development of civilization.
b- Aluminum: is a silver-white metal known for its versatility, it is mainly used in
building materials, packaging, kitchen accessory like the cooking pot and the
aviation industry. The mining of bauxite and the production of aluminum require
a lot of energy consumption and can have environmental impacts. Therefore, it
became one of the most used metals in the world.
c- Zinc: is essential for human health because it supports immune function and
plays a critical role in numerous biological process, its color is matte gray, quite
dark. It is used to coat other metals and in various alloys.
3- Rare metals and rare earths:
They are essential in many modern technologies for making batteries, electric
motors, and displays.
Here are some rare earths:
a- Lithium: is a soft metal that has silvery-white color and one of the lightest
elements, it is often used to produce electric vehicle batteries and electronic
devices.
b- Tantalum, Niobium: are two metals rare and highly valuable, these are able to
resist heat and corrosion. They are often found together in nature because they
have chemical similarities, tantalum and niobium are used in technological
innovations such as permanent magnets and electronic elements. The extraction
of these metals can create significant challenges for sustainability and waste
management.
B- NON-METALLIC MINERALS:
Non-metallic minerals are naturally inorganic substances that do not contain metals or
metalloids; they are often used in industrial and construction applications.
1- Construction minerals:
These minerals are used to make building materials like concrete, cement, glass
products.
Here are some examples about construction minerals:
a- Limestone: is an essential mineral in construction, knowing to produce cement
and lime, it is also used in the production of granular material for roads and
infrastructure and as a raw material in various industrial processes. Its origins,
most limestone appear in shallow environments and most are formed by the
calcium carbonate rains from the water.
b- Clay: is an organic matter that has fine grains that consists of a mixture of
minerals and it is often used to make bricks, tiles and ceramics. It is also
important for the production of cement and as a filling material.
c- Gravel and sand: are the rock particles grinded or uncrushed used as a
constituent in concrete, roads, and other construction. Sand can be used in the
manufacture of glass and as a filter material.
d- Gypsum: is a crucial mineral in construction and known for its role in producing
drywall and plaster. It is also used as a setting retarder in cement production and
enhancing soil structure and providing essential nutrients.
2- Energy resources: these are energy sources that are found in their raw state in
nature and can be used as an energy source. Energy resources are the possibilities
offered by an area to produce electricity according to its natural conditions and
circumstances.
a- Coal: is mainly used for electricity generation and in the steelmaking process.
It is known for its high-energy content and is also used in several industrial
applications that require heat.
b- Oil: it is one of the pillars of modern energy, oil is known to manufacture fuels
such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene those that are essential for transport. It is
also a primary raw material for the production of a wide range of products,
including plastics and chemicals.
c- Natural gas: is used to heat homes, cook and generate electricity. It is also a
key ingredient in the manufacture of chemicals, fertilizers and even some
plastics and natural gas is often considered a cleaner alternative to coal.
d- Uranium: it is a mineral that is essential for nuclear power plants and uranium
produces large quantities of electricity while emitting little carbon. Apart
energy, uranium is in scientific research to apply its importance in the field of
medicine in several fields and to highlight its role in various sectors.
CONCLUSION
Mining is an important industry that, while driving economies and technological
advancements, poses significant environmental challenges that necessitate a careful
examination of its benefits and impacts. Mining is a key for economic growth, job creation,
and infrastructure development. It contributes significantly to national revenues through
mineral exports. Moreover, advancements in technology enhance extraction efficiency, reduce
environmental impacts, and promote sustainable resource management, benefiting society
overall. Mining employs various methods tailored to mineral deposits and conditions. Open-
pit mining provides easy access to surface minerals through large excavations, while
underground mining utilizes tunnels to extract deeper deposits. Both methods require careful
planning, environmental considerations, and advanced techniques for effective resource
recovery. Mined materials, including metals and non-metallic minerals, are essential for
various industries. They support construction, technology, and energy production. However,
their extraction poses environmental challenges that require careful management to ensure
sustainable use and minimal impact.
Lova Nantenaina Henriot ANDRIATIANAMALALA
Antsirabe, October 9, 2024
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Part 3:
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