mining beneficiation

Mining may be the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or (coal) seam. The word also includes removing soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock salt and potash. Any material that cannot be grown through agricultural processes, or created artificially inside a laboratory or factory, is usually mined. Mining inside a wider sense comprises extraction of any non-renewable resource (e.g., petroleum, gas, or even water).

Mining of stone and metal continues to be done since pre-historic times. Modern mining processes involve prospecting for ore bodies, analysis of the profit potential of a proposed mine, extraction of the desired materials and lastly reclamation of the land to prepare it for other uses once the mine is closed. gold ore beneficiation

The nature of mining processes results in a potential negative impact on environmental surroundings both during the mining operations and for years following the mine is closed. This impact has led to most of the world's nations adopting regulations to moderate the unwanted effects of mining operations. Safety has long been a concern too, though modern practices have improved safety in mines significantly. mirror iron ore beneficiation

The procedure for mining from discovery of an ore body through extraction of minerals and finally to returning the land to its natural state includes several distinct steps. The first is discovery from the ore body, that is carried out through prospecting or exploration to find after which define the extent, location and value of the ore body. This leads to a mathematical resource estimation to estimate the size and grade from the deposit.

This estimation can be used to conduct a pre-feasibility study to look for the theoretical economics of the ore deposit. This identifies, in early stages, whether further investment in estimation and engineering studies is warranted and identifies key risks and areas for further work. The next step is to conduct a feasibility study to evaluate the financial viability, technical and financial risks and robustness of the project.

This is when the mining company makes the decision to develop the mine in order to leave behind the project. This includes mine likely to assess the economically recoverable part of the deposit, the metallurgy and ore recoverability, marketability and payability from the ore concentrates, engineering concerns, milling and infrastructure costs, finance and equity requirements and an research into the proposed mine from the initial excavation all the way through to reclamation. The proportion of the deposit that is economically recoverable would depend on the enrichment factor of the ore in the area. molybdenum ore beneficiation

Once the analysis determines confirmed ore is worth recovering, development starts to create use of the ore body. The mine buildings and processing plants are built and any necessary equipment is obtained. The whole process of the mine to recuperate the ore begins and continues so long as the organization operating the mine finds it economical to do so. Once all of the ore the mine can produce profitably is recovered, reclamation starts to make the land utilized by the mine ideal for future use.