In this article we are going to cover the different types of mining that are applied both to extract and produce metallic minerals or commodities and to exploit non-metallic minerals.
Mining is the method used to extract valuable natural resources from the ground. It is done with the aim of extracting any natural resources that cannot be cultivated or manufactured by artificial means. Therefore mining is used to extract non-renewable resources such as minerals metals, non-metallic minerals, hydrocarbons such as oil and gas, and even water. You can check the mining methods here.
Mining classification
Mining is one of the most important economic activities for society, it is thanks to this activity that it is possible to extract metallic and non-metallic minerals and raw materials that are used in daily life and that are applied in technology, in homes, and in general in any activity.
Mining can be classified as follows based on the area and volume of exploitation, although it is worth mentioning that each type of material is different and it is hardly possible to compare large copper mining with large gold mining:
| Extension | Volume | |
| Big mining | more than 2000 mining hectares | more than 5000 MT/day |
| Medium Mining | more than 2000 mining hectares | up to 5000 MT/day |
| Small Mining | up to 2000 mining hectares | up to 300 MT/day (1) |
| Artisanal Mining | up to 1000 mining hectares | up to 25 MT/day (2) |
In case of detrital materials, gold sands, sands, non-metallic materials and construction materials:
(1) Up to 3000 m3/day
(2) Up to 200 m3/day
Big mining or large scale mining
Large-scale mining is one that produces more than 5,000 metric tons per day and covers an extension of more than 2,000 mining hectares. This type of mining is very suitable for the exploitation of large deposits and the most common examples are porphyry copper and large gold deposits.
This type of mining is very common in developed countries such as the United States, China, Russia and several European countries. However, in Latin America there are few countries that do large mining correctly. The pioneers in Latin America are Peru, Chile and Brazil.
However, this activity is becoming more common and is reaching countries such as Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, among others.
Large-scale mining is the one that generates the greatest amount of employment, the one that generates the most taxes and money for countries and states, and the one that uses the most technology.
Medium mining
Medium mining is one that extracts minerals up to 5,000 metric tons per day in an area of more than 2,000 mining hectares. It is quite common to do this type of mining for medium gold deposits, skarns and VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphides).
Small mining
Small-scale mining is one that produces up to 300 MT/day in an area of up to 2,000 mining hectares. This type of mining uses state-of-the-art technology to produce minerals, the only difference with medium and large mining is the volume and size of the deposit.
Artisanal mining
Artisanal mining is one that produces minerals in an area of up to 1,000 mining hectares and a volume of up to 25 metric tons per day. Many think that this type of mining does not use state-of-the-art technology, however, on the contrary, they must use the same technology as large-scale mining but much more focused on its objective to be profitable.
Types of mining based on their method of exploitation
The mining It will be in charge of extracting minerals, materials or metals that are the basis for the manufacture of new materials or tools that are used in daily life.
Then you can carry out different mining processes according to the mineral or mining material that you want to extract.
that’s how it exists mining for metallic elements or minerals and for non-metallic or industrial ones.
In addition, this activity can be divided into two basic ones: open pit and underground mining.
However, with the advancement of technology, there is now also submerged and borehole mining.
In other words, depending on the type of mineral deposit and the mineral or material of interest, the mining method to be applied must be analyzed.
Underground mining
This type consists of extracting the material or mineral of interest through underground excavations that are generally represented as tunnels, shafts or mining chimneys.
They are known as underground mining works, and they are characterized because most of these works are found quite deep and do not connect with the surface.
Its visual impact is very low, since these tasks cannot be observed with the naked eye. This mining method is generally used to extract high-grade minerals, that is, they return the investment in less time.
Because smaller volumes can be extracted compared to the open pit method. Thus, it is common for them to be used to exploit hydrothermal veins and deposits associated with gold in veins.
Opencast mining
This mining method consists of extracting the material or mineral of interest using a large excavation on the surface, making use of horizontal benches.
This method is used to extract both metallic and non-metallic minerals or materials.
However, it is common for it to be applied to deposits that are extensive or of large volume and low grade, since, even though they are extensive, but they are very deep, due to their low grade, underground mining could not be done. because deeper there are more extraction costs.
This method is usually used in the exploitation of porphyry copper and in quarries for the extraction of construction materials.
Learn more about open pit mining by clicking here.
Underwater mining
It is one where the mining processes are carried out at the bottom of the sea, that is, on the ocean floor.
Its main objective is the metallic minerals that have been formed thanks to the hydrothermalism of seamounts and oceanic ridges.
It is common to be interested in manganese nodules, since they are usually rich in various metals.
Drill hole or in situ mining
It refers to any drilling in the ground designed for the purpose of finding and extracting combustible fluid, whether oil or gaseous hydrocarbons, such as gas and oil.
Alluvial or placer mining
They include mining activities and operations carried out on the banks or riverbeds; alluvial mining methods are also used for the extraction of minerals and materials in alluvial terraces, which constitute small sedimentary platforms or tables built in a fluvial valley by the river sediments themselves.
Other types of mining
Illegal mining
Illegal mining is one that, based on the jurisdiction of the countries, does not respect the laws. In other words, illegal mining does not pay taxes, generates a high environmental impact, contaminates water, and has very serious secondary consequences in its execution.
Illegal mining comprises a set of illegal activities around it such as money laundering and the illegal extraction of minerals from the ground. In addition, it attracts organized crime, prostitution and the people who support this activity are not supported by the state or any company.
Illegal mining represents a big problem, especially in Latin America where there is no control and the guerrillas are the ones behind these activities.
legal mining
Legal mining is one that respects everything mentioned by the laws of each country and by the mining law of each state. This type of mining generates legal employment, contributes to taxes and is responsible for caring for the environment.