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When discussing mining and mineral extraction, which of the following best defines "reserves"?
"Reserves," by definition, refers to the determined quantity of a mineral resource that is economically feasible to recover. Mineral deposits consist of mineral-rich ores that are easy to extract, but there are also poorer-quality ores that are more difficult to extract that are often left behind since they are not profitable to extract.
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Which of the following terms best define the traditional method of "panning" for gold, popular amongst Western settlers during the California Gold Rush?
Placer mining is when metals and minerals are extracted from river sediments, which describes the "panning" method employed by Western settlers.
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A mining company that has leased Bureau of Land Management property for mining in Northern Nevada has discovered a significant copper ore deposit on the land. The deposit lies on relatively flat geography and is projected to be rather shallow at less than 10 meters deep. Which of the following would be the most appropriate extraction method?
Strip mining involves removing shallow strips of dirt and rock to expose valuable ores. Since the deposit is relatively shallow in the earth and the land is relatively flat, strip mining would be the most appropriate method.
Contour mining resembles terraces for farming on a slope, and is indeed only practical on a sloped topography. Mountaintop removal is an equally moot point, seeing that the deposit is on flat land where there are no mountains. Subsurface mining would be appropriate if the deposits were only found deep underground.
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The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA) mandates that companies applying for a permit to mine legally must ensure that their operation will meet SMCRA environmental and performance standards.
Company A wants to mine for copper on a 20,000 acre land parcel with shallow iron ore deposits on hill-dominated terrain. The company has submitted a permit application, claiming they will employ contour mining, construct a water-tight tailings pond and a board of company shareholders will vote on a use and reclamation method for the land after said mining operation is complete.
Would Company A get approved permitting under SMCRA? Why or why not?
Permitting under SMCRA requires that mines meet performance and environmental standards as well as provide a detailed excavation plan and a plan for environmental restoration after ceasing operations. Providing an undecided solution that will be voted on later is not a valid environmental reclamation plan, and the firm's application would likely be denied.
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What was the purpose of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977?
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 was meant to restore previously damaged land to its former state. The key word is reclamation, which is an effort of society to reverse harmful actions taken on the environment and return it to its former state. The act accomplished this by setting operating standards and requiring companies to obtain permits to mine.
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