Mining

Shaft Mining

Strip mining

Part A:

Strip mining is a a category of open pit or surface mining involving the excavation of earth to retrieve, rock and miscellaneous materials to uncover a tabular, lens-shaped, or layered mineral reserve. Coal or other rocks of sedimentary origin are usually what is retrieved in this type of mining. Initially a layer of soil and rock also called the "overburden" must be removed to present an easier access to the desired minerals. The overburden is removed in large rectangular blocks resulting in what is called pits or strips where later on will be the site in which explosives, machines and equipment are used to unearth the minerals. Once materials are exposed, they are removed and transported away to be refined so they can be used for other things. Some pros to strip mining are that it is much safer for workers opposed to working in tunnels, the cost of this method of mining is lower as less time is needed to forego operation and less equipment is involved and the efficiency rate is higher as the recovery rate of materials is 80-90% more likely opposed to tunnel mining which is only 50%. Although strip mining is less costly, more efficient and safer there are also some cons associated with it as well. For instance, strip mining is considered very harmful towards the environment as it releases large amounts of harmful dust and pollutants into the environment, plant and animal life is harmed and affected and contaminants can leach into water systems, contaminating natural water supplies for wildlife and people.


Shaft mining is a method of underground mining in which a vertical tunnel must be created downward into the earth from the top to retrieve ore and other valuable minerals from deep underground in contrast to strip mining where they remain above ground and shave or scoop minerals out. The vertical shaft is basically a service cage used to transport workers up and down to different levels of the mine. Within the mines there are skips which are essentially smaller versions of shaft cages used as pipelines for water and fuel, to transport ore to the surface as well a a ventilation system. Companies use underground mining when ore deposits are so deep that surface mining isn't an option. Underground or "shaft mining" although can be very beneficial as it allows access to removing large amounts of gold and minerals from deep deposits of the earth it also conveys many risks. Shaft mining is more dangerous than strip mining as their is chances of the mine to collapse, combustion, harmful toxins and chemicals being inhaled and it is also much more expensive that strip mining. Opposed to all these cons however some more pros are that underground mining allows the land above to be used for other purposes, it is less harmful to the environment and wildlife and it provides a more access to plausible mineral deposits in any direction beneath the earth as long as there is a shaft with headgear.

Part B:

As the spouse of a miner I would much rather prefer my husband to work in an open pit strip mine as it is much safer for the health and physical safety of my husband and more likely for my husband to stay healthy and alive as it is more likely for accidents and fatalities to occur in underground mining.

As the owner of a mining company I would prefer to own a strip mine as it is less expensive for me to pay for the operations, workers and equipment, there is a slighter likelihood of workers getting injured and suing me and a higher chance of receiving more minerals.

As an environmentalist I would prefer working in a shaft mine as strip mining is much more harmful to the environment as it releases toxic chemicals and dust into the air, kills plant and animal life and contaminates water as well as ruins wildlife habitats.

As the owner of a nearby ski resort I would prefer underground mining as it is more hidden and less noisy and disruptive compared to strip mining where large trucks and equipment are out in the public eye creating dust and noise everywhere.

As a politician I would want to be more interested in shaft mining because it would make me appear more environmentally friendly towards my voters and although the chances of finding valuable minerals is slimmer, if a large deposit is found it is much more rewarding.

Part C:

Open pit mining exists in Haiti for mostly gold, copper and silver. Haiti's government is working on a law to entice investors in their mines as their mineral worth is estimated to be about $20 billion dollars US. There is great controversy against this idea as some citizens feel as though it is bringing back the history of slavery in Spanish mines as well as other concerns that they will lose their fertile land and cause more pollution to their environment. In contrast to these concerns however the government feels as though it will bring great fortune to their country that is much needed to assist them in much of their economic and social grief of a lot of issues they are struggling with such as an effective method of waste management. In July 2013 however a note was made that although outside countries investing in their mines may result in a prosperous business move it will also be accelerating the rate of the already worrying pace of the deterioration of Haiti's environment, health and community which could be detrimental to the country as a whole.