APES 5.9 Mining

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What is surface mining?

Back

Surface mining is a method of extracting minerals or resources from the earth's surface, involving the removal of overburden to access the resource beneath.

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What is primary succession?

Back

Primary succession is the ecological process of community development that occurs in an area where no soil exists, often following a disturbance such as mining.

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What is the purpose of adding calcium carbonate to acidic water?

Back

Calcium carbonate is added to acidic water to neutralize it, raising the pH and making it less harmful to aquatic life.

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What is cyanide heap leaching?

Back

Cyanide heap leaching is a mining process used to extract gold from ore by dissolving the gold in a cyanide solution.

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What does reclamation mean in the context of mining?

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Reclamation refers to the process of restoring land to its original state after mining activities have ceased.

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What greenhouse gas is primarily released during coal mining?

Back

Methane is the primary greenhouse gas released during coal mining, contributing to climate change.

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What is acid mine drainage?

Back

Acid mine drainage is the outflow of acidic water from mining sites, often containing heavy metals and harmful substances.

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What is bioremediation in mining?

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Bioremediation is a process that uses living organisms, often microbes, to remove or neutralize contaminants from the environment, including mining sites.

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What is the environmental impact of mountain top mining?

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Mountain top mining can lead to significant environmental degradation, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and increased erosion.

Front

What is the role of iron oxide in mining?

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Iron oxide can be used in mining processes to help separate valuable minerals from waste materials.