How Mining Works - Construction/Production

 

Construction generally takes a few years, depending on the mine location and complexity, the size of the development, and the intricacies of the regulations and review processes in the region where the mine is being developed. Mine operations (production) are dynamic components of the mine life cycle. Though the basic components of the operational phase seem simple (extracting, processing, and selling the ore), mining is anything but simple.

 

The operational phase is complex and requires a great deal of management and planning in order to be successful. The mining process includes controlled blasting, hauling, crushing, processing and beneficiation for the recovery of the minerals being mined, and varies depending on the individual mine, mineral concentrations, where it is located, what other minerals may be present, and other considerations. In response to the dynamic economics behind running a profitable mine, the miner puts a great deal of effort into implementing and adjusting key operational strategies when extracting ore. Furthermore, while extracting the ore, the miner may also still be exploring the area surrounding the in hopes of expanding the mine’s reserves. Maximizing profits and resource expansion are crucial undertakings inherent in this phase, as is making sound business decisions to mitigate the social and environmental impacts of mining. [READ MORE]

 

 

The two most common methods of mining are surface and underground mining. The method is determined mainly by the characteristics of the mineral deposit and the limits imposed by safety, technology, environmental and economical concerns.

 

The first step in the production stage is recovering the minerals. This is the process of extracting the ore from rock using a variety of tools and machinery.The second step is processing. The recovered minerals are processed through huge crushers or mills to separate commercially valuable minerals from their ores. Once processed, the ore is then transported to smelting facilities.The final step in production is smelting. This process involves melting the concentrate in a furnance to extract the metal from its ore. The ore is then poured into moulds, producing bars of bullion, which are then ready for sale.