• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Task Lab

the task lab

  • Home
  • About
  • Lifestyle
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Traveling
  • Health
  • Contact

What are the different methods of mining?

August 4, 2022 Laura

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

There are numerous methods of mining. Do you know the difference between open-cut mining and dredge mining, or longwall mining from bord and pillar? Well, this article will be covering all of that. Mining equipment suppliers need to provide a range of different tools because of the many types of mining methods available. We have broken this article down into three sections, surface mining, underground mining and oil and gas extraction. These are by no means the only methods of mining, but instead methods of mining that are used within Australia.

Surface mining

Surface mining is typically used for mineral and coal deposits that are relatively close to the surface. Australia has numerous useful resources and deposits such as gold, coal, iron, and copper, found near the surface.

Open-cut mining

Open-cut mining is the typical way surface mines are constructed. Usually, an open-cut mine removes all the surface material or “overburden” from above the deposit. Blasting is used to remove the overburden, and taken away by the bucket load over time. Once the deposit is found, such as a coal seam, drills and surface miners are used to extract the material. Open-cut mines are Australia’s most common method of mining as they’re cost-efficient, and recover around 90% of the deposit.

Dredge mining

Dredge mining is another method of open-cut mining that takes place in a flowing body of water with a dredger that sits on the surface to extract the sediment such as sand, gravel, rock and valuable minerals. Usually, dredge mining is used for extracting raw gold from rivers.

Underground mining

Underground mining is where it gets more complicated. There are numerous methods of extracting resources from deep within the ground, but one thing is for sure, it’s complicated and requires a lot of coordination and planning.

Bord and pillar mining

Bord and pillar is the oldest method of underground mining. In bord and pillar mines, workers use a cross-section tunnel system. Coal is cut out from around the pillars, to allow structural support as well as ventilation and passages for the miners. This older method of mining is still used today in some mines, but Australia for the most part has moved on to more efficient methods.

Longwall mining

Longwall is the most common method of mining within Australia, as it’s more efficient and safer than others. Essentially, there’s a mechanical horizontal directional drilling shaft that runs along the coal wall and breaks it apart in layers. This is more efficient because there aren’t any pillars of coal left behind like there are in bord and pillar mines, instead, hydraulic structural supports are installed as the coal is removed behind the machine, keeping everything structurally stable.

Oil and gas drilling

Oil and gas extraction is typically done at the surface with a drill dig. It can either be in the sea or on the ground. There are a few ways to extract oil and gas, but for the most part, we’ll talk about the most common methods of extraction.

Vertical Drilling

When you think of a drill rig, you think of the drill going vertically down into the ground and that’s exactly what happens. Vertical drilling is used if there is a large gas or oil deposit that’s trapped between bedding layers. Once the oil has been drilled, it’s drawn up through a casing system in the ground through a pressure system. There are disadvantages to vertical drilling, as it can’t access all of the oil in an area, without the need for a massive field of drill rigs.

Directional Drilling

Directional drilling is used to drill lengthways through a layer of material, such as shale, to extract oil. A directional drill can be controlled by the driller who steers it through a bedding layer. This method allows for more material to be extracted, usually through fracking – a high-pressure liquid that breaks the shale.

You may wonder why this is way more efficient than vertical drilling. Well, think of the layers of rocks as the layers of a cut loaf of bread. They’re wider than they are thick, so if you run a drill bit horizontally through a layer, you’re able to extract more material than you would vertically. This also means only one rig needs to be installed in place of a dozen in a field or on the ocean.

Need mining equipment?

Look for a leading mining equipment supplier. Ask thorough questions about their range of surface miners, directional drills, rock cutters and vacuum excavation trucks, to make sure you get the right equipment for the job.

0 Shares
FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

Business

Primary Sidebar

About The Task Lab

Hi! I’m Laura and here at The Task Lab we are all about organization, productivity, technology and budgeting. We want to provide you with tools to enhance your daily life, with as little effort as possible. A lot of this has to do with building new habits, which we will talk about a lot.

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Archives

  • March 2023 (2)
  • February 2023 (2)
  • January 2023 (2)
  • December 2022 (10)
  • November 2022 (13)
  • October 2022 (12)
  • September 2022 (6)
  • August 2022 (4)
  • July 2022 (7)
  • June 2022 (8)
  • May 2022 (12)
  • April 2022 (10)
  • March 2022 (14)
  • February 2022 (8)
  • January 2022 (9)
  • December 2021 (10)
  • November 2021 (12)
  • October 2021 (17)
  • September 2021 (10)
  • August 2021 (11)
  • July 2021 (11)
  • June 2021 (11)
  • May 2021 (9)
  • April 2021 (15)
  • March 2021 (17)
  • February 2021 (16)
  • January 2021 (15)
  • December 2020 (20)
  • November 2020 (23)
  • October 2020 (10)
  • September 2020 (13)
  • August 2020 (20)
  • July 2020 (17)
  • June 2020 (20)
  • May 2020 (11)
  • April 2020 (18)
  • March 2020 (29)
  • February 2020 (17)
  • January 2020 (16)
  • December 2019 (34)
  • November 2019 (21)
  • October 2019 (17)
  • September 2019 (11)
  • August 2019 (19)
  • July 2019 (10)
  • June 2019 (15)
  • May 2019 (17)
  • April 2019 (12)
  • March 2019 (20)
  • February 2019 (1)
  • January 2019 (4)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • November 2018 (3)
  • October 2018 (1)
  • September 2018 (6)
  • August 2018 (6)
  • July 2018 (5)
  • June 2018 (8)
  • May 2018 (8)
  • April 2018 (5)
  • March 2018 (35)
  • February 2018 (9)
  • January 2018 (24)

Recent Posts

  • 4 Tips for Successfully Completing Your Probation Program
  • How to ensure your Premises’ Fire Protection System is up to scratch
  • 3 Tips For Protecting Your Health While Cleaning
  • Already Insulated? Here’s more ways Save Money on Energy at Home
  • What is the easiest and cheapest way to get a divorce in Madison County, Alabama
  • Self-Invested Personal Pension: The Benefits & Risks
  • Pet Care Talks: Benefits Of Owning A Pet
  • Top Websites For The Most Beautiful Wedding Card Templates
  • Lake Vacations: Are They Worth It?
  • Tips for Curating a Travel Brochure

Facebook

The Task Lab

Footer

About US

Hi! I’m Laura and here at The Task Lab we are all about organization, productivity, technology and budgeting. We want to provide you with tools to enhance your daily life, with as little effort as possible. A lot of this has to do with building new habits, which we will talk about a lot. Read More…

Recent Post

  • 4 Tips for Successfully Completing Your Probation Program March 7, 2023
  • How to ensure your Premises’ Fire Protection System is up to scratch March 1, 2023
  • 3 Tips For Protecting Your Health While Cleaning February 28, 2023

Facebook

The Task Lab

Copyright © 2023 · Daily Dish Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

COPYRIGHT 2018 ·The Task Lab