MINING
Surface mining
Where the mineral source is close to ground level the most usual and cost effective extraction method is an open cast or surface pit mine. Typically, elements recovered by this method include bauxite, iron, copper and lanthanides
Underground mining
For mineral located deeper within the earth the only viable mining method is underground mining. Depending on the rock formations and depth of mineral occurrence these mines could be relatively shallow at a few hundred meters or range to several kilometres deep.
Underground mining is generally used for gold, silver, lead, coal extraction
Placer mines
Placer mines are used where the minerals are present in naturally occurring sediments such as river beds, estuaries and sands. The sediments are sifted to separate valuable minerals such as gold, platinum, diamond and tin.
In-situ mining
In situ mining involves injecting a solution into rock formations to dissolve the mineral containing elements then pumping the mineral rich solvent back to the surface for separation. The most common mineral extracted by this method is uranium.