Talk:Underground mining (hard rock)

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I would like to see some pictures, if anyone has any, of some of the machinery used in hard rock mining. Thanks!--Candy 18:02, 2 November 2005 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Wrong picture

I don't think the picture is of Elura (now called Endeavor)

If it is Newcrest it will probably be of the Ridgeway mine

[edit] Terms need explaining

Could someone who knows please explain the "Ore extraction" and "Hardrock mining terms" sections in words that readers unfamiliar with mining can understand? Thanks. --Scott Davis Talk 12:42, 7 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Trying to clean up

I removed the section (one line) on open pit mining as there is an article devoted to it Kelapstick 17:00, 10 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Access

Only mentions declines and shafts, whereas adits are generally used if at all possible (although many deposits easily accessable by adit will have been worked out years ago). Unfortunately that seems to be part of a distinct section, which strongly suggests to me that a lot of Wikipedia work on mining needs redoing. Unfortunately my knowledge of the subject is rather concentrated on NW England, and the 19th century. Riedquat 23:41, 17 April 2007 (UTC)


Agreed use of an adit is preferable where the orebody does not go to any signifigant depth (i.e. the lead-zinc mine in Nanisivik, Nunavut, Canada, where an adit entred the side of a mountain and the elevation of the workings did not nominally change in elevation.) But as you mentioned many of the orebodies which could be accessed in that manner have already been exploited (mainly because of their proximity to surface, ease of access and low capital cost to develop). Perhaps an adit section in the acceess section with a link to the main adit article. I also agree that much of the work about mining on Wikipedia requires work, however my Wiki-knowledge is rather limited.

--Kelapstick 02:04, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

If I'm going to arguably get pedantic, mines worked by adit may then later develop from internal shafts, or a mine worked from an internal shaft may have an adit driven lower to meet that shaft. This may not have been done initially if the adit would've required a long drive. Greenside mine did this in the 19th century with the Lucy Tongue level, which IIRC took 20-odd years to drive. The mine was also worked considerably below that level afterwards. Then there was the 5 odd mile Nent Force level to undercut and dewater several Nenthead mines in the 18th century, although I don't think it was ever used to remove ore. Then you can have the same company working the same lode using largely the same methods, but from an adit in one place and unconnected shaft at another (I think Thornthwaite Mine did that, but I'll need to check). All these were hard rock mines, which is why my rant has started here, but it's also why I don't think the divisions given in Wikipedia's mining sections are particularly good ones for a high level.
Come to think of it, the ore access part is rather incomplete too; not all orebodies are in near-vertical veins. I suppose I should really start learning enough to make useful edits on the bits where I'm reasonably confident I'm not going to be too outdated or localised.Riedquat 13:04, 18 April 2007 (UTC)


I would say that although all hard-rock orebodies are not vertical or near vertical, most of them have enough variation in elevation in them to rely on some sort of decline or shaft (even if it may be internal). This is due to the way many of them are formed (some sort of magma intrusion in a void in the host rock, perhaps a fault or other geological feature). Horizontal ore near horizontal orebodies are more common in soft rock mining, like underground coal mines, salt or potash, which should probably warrent a topic unto itself.

An adit is indeed a valid method to access an orebody, and should be included in mine access, but regardless if there is a decline or shaft, there is still a level (horizontal excavation) in which the ore is accessed from, which may in fact be the adit itself.

--Kelapstick 18:01, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

I see your point. What was one of the primary lead mining areas in the North of England contained significant non-vertical deposits (the so-called "flats"), which were associated with but not part of veins. However, that's arguably going into too much detail, especially for an overview; it probably belongs to a geology article. Riedquat 18:31, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Ventilation

There should probably be a whole article on this, but in the meantime I've put a picture in. It's probably worth having a picture of something underground, after all!Riedquat 19:24, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Definition?

Is it really necessary to have the (hard rock) behind this? I'm a geologist, so maybe I'm talking out my rear as usual, but the process of mining hard rock and 'soft rock' is basically the same until you cme to longwall mining of coal, and its various derivatives. Is it better to not find ome way to name this page which is based on the processes distinct from longwall mining or retreat mining of coal? Rolinator 09:31, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Not necessarily the same, i.e. using a continuous miner to mine salt. I agree it is a little somewhat unnescesary (I'm the one who moved it :S), I was just trying to distinguish it from coal/other material that is not mined with traditional "dril and blast" techniques, as they are quite distinct.--Kelapstick 10:49, 22 August 2007 (UTC)
I've heard "hard rock mining" used in the same way (although I'm not sure, now I think about it, if any of the people I've heard use it are or were actually miners - I'll have to try to remember to ask a miner some day), but I don't know how accurate it really is, or, perhaps more importantly, how much of a distinction the industry has, and the fact that I view underground quarrying as possibly more like hard rock mining makes me wonder just what criteria I'm thinking with! Riedquat (talk) 18:50, 12 January 2008 (UTC)

I worked in a mine in South Africa and there are definately two destinctive types of underground mining. I now recruit miners. Mines from "sub-sahara" Africa have soft rock under ground mining more refered to as a colliery. Generally coal is the main mineral here. And yes, it can be mined from deep levels. Whilst in South Africa we have mostly "hard rock" mining. Even though both are mined at deep levels the mining methods are very different due to the rock types. For example: in soft rock mining the method of exstraction will be mainly conventional whilst in hard rock mining it will be trackless. So yes, there are definately two distinctive types. CAEng (talk) 12:36, 18 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Undergound Hard Rock Mining in South Africa

Good day all.

I assume you guys are all from America or elsewhere. I actually worked in a "hard rock underground mine" in South Africa called "Avgold Target" I worked from 67Level(6700ft) to 78Level(7800ft). So that would be from 2,04Km to 2,37Km undergound. This used to be a conventional gold mine that was converted to a trackless mine.

Currently I'm running a recuitment angency involved strictly in mining on a national level in South Africa.

Avgold Target is the most technically advanced mine in the Southern hemisphere of the world competing with a mine in Canada for the number one position in the world!On Monday 21 Jan 08 I will be recieving photos from them of underground operations that I will share on here. If you would like me to explain "hard rock gold mining in South Africa" in lamens terms so everyone can understand it, please let me know...

Ps... If someone canexplain how I imput a picture on here I will add actual photo's.


Greetings Shane CAEng (talk) 12:23, 18 January 2008 (UTC)