Geography - Mining

Mining

What is mining?

Mining is the process of extracting minerals from the earth/rocks

Why is mining so important ?

Materials for everyday life: Materials for Everyday Life: Mining provides us with many
materials we use daily, like metals (like aluminum for cans), coal for energy, and minerals for
things like batteries.

1.

2. Building Stuff: We need materials from mining to build houses, schools, roads, and bridges.
Without mining, we couldn't have the strong materials needed for construction.

3. Jobs: Mining creates jobs for many people, helping families earn money and support their
communities.

4. Technology: Many high-tech gadgets, like smartphones and computers, rely on minerals
that come from mining.

5. Energy: Mining helps us find energy sources, like coal, oil, and natural gas, which power our
homes and schools.

How does mining bring in a large portion of South
Africa’s income?

In South Africa, mining is super important because it
helps the country make money. When companies dig
up valuable minerals like gold and diamonds, they sell
them to other countries, bringing in cash. This creates
jobs for many people, and the money they earn helps
local businesses. The government also collects taxes

from mining, which pay for schools and hospitals.

1. Open pit or surface mining

Miners make open pit mines when rocks with minerals
are near the surface of the land.

The Kimberly mine

The Big Hole

Coal is an example of open pit
surface mining

Uses of coal

Shaft or deep level mining

Miners dig shafts or tunnels under the ground to mine rocks

below the surface of the land

Structure of a deep level gold mine

Gold

Mining and people