Mining

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Introduction

Mining is the extraction of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the Earth. Mining is required to obtain most materials that cannot be grown through agricultural processes, or feasibly created artificially in a laboratory or factory.

Open Cast Mining in Iron Ore Mines, Granite Quarries

Open-cast mining, also known as open-pit mining, is a method of extracting iron ore and other materials from the earth by digging large pits.

Safety

Open-cast mining can be safer than underground mining because it eliminates some safety hazards.

Challenges

Some challenges of open-cast mining include :

  • Slope Stability

    In areas with high rainfall and soft orebodies, slopes can fail. To address this, miners may flatten slope angles, remove soft overburden, reduce bench heights, and increase bench widths.

  • Water Accumulation

    Deep pits can accumulate large amounts of water due to rainfall and groundwater seepage. Regular dewatering is required to keep the pit bottom dry.

Granite quarries are a big deal in India, with the country boasting vast reserves of various types of dimension stones and being recognized as a leading global producer of these stones. India is home to some of the finest granite deposits in the world, offering a wide range of over 200 shades.