A mine is an explosive placed underground or underwater that explodes when disturbed. The term originated from mining under enemy city walls.
- Ore Body Division:
- The ore body’s upper part is the hanging wall, while the part below is the footwall.
- The fault plane’s upper part is the hanging wall, and the lower part is the footwall.
- Open Pit Mining:
- Horizontal layers in an open pit mine are referred to as benches.
- Mining occurs on benches simultaneously via ramps.
- Pit walls have an angle based on rock strength, and stability is crucial as depth increases.
- Reclamation Process:
- Mines are reclaimed by covering entrances, replanting, and testing water, soil, and air.
- Training and Equipment:
- Miners train through apprenticeships with licensed miners.
- Equipment used in mines includes dredges, and underground mines use shafts or horizontal tunnels called adits to reach ore, leaving waste rock.