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MINERAL EXTRACTION METHOD.
Tunnel Mining.
Tunnel or shafts are dug into the earth to reach buried ore deposits. Tunnel mining is used if the ore is deeper in the earth. Canaries used to be used to determine if the air in the tunnel mine was safe to breathe because toxic gasses can build up inside!.
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ABOUT.
Location
590 miles (950 km) northwest of Adelaide, on the Stuart Highway.
Mine size
Coober Pedy is the world's largest Opal mine by mass.
What is mined there
Opal
When the mine opened
In May 2009, South Australian Premier Mike Rann opened the $1.15 billion Prominent Hill Mine, 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast of Coober Pedy. The copper-gold mine is operated by OZ Minerals.
Who owns the mine
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OPAL.
Explain how the mineral is formed
Opals are comprised of hydrated silica and typically contain 6-10% water.
They form during the acidic weathering of rocks, or precipitate from water-rich fluids containing silica which fill cracks in rocks.
Explain what the mineral is made of?
Hydrated Silica is the main component in Opal, it also has 6-10% water
State what the mineral used for
Various forms of common opal are widely mined for use as abrasives,
insulation media, fillers, and ceramic ingredients. Fire opals usually are
facet cut, but most other precious opals are finished en cabochon
because their optical properties are best displayed on smoothly
rounded surfaces.
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SOCIAL EFFECTS OF THE MINE
Explain if this type of mining is dangerous e.g.
mining for asbestos may cause lung cancer
tunnel mines might collapse
Tunnel mining is dangerous because of cave-ins,
explosions, toxic air, and extreme temperatures
are some of the most perilous hazards observed to take place in underground mining.
Research and explain if your chosen mine site has caused any major injuries
There have been a couple of fatalities. A 34-year-old man was climbing down an excavator in an open cut mine at Newfield, 10 kilometres north of Coober Pedy, when a wall collapsed (2004). Authorities investigate Coober Pedy mining death - ABC News. there are also 4 unsolved murders, and a disappearance. Coober Pedy: Cold case disappearances in outback mining town could be linked (9news.com.au) Coober Pedy, SA: Man trapped under rocks in mine rescued | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site
ENVRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF TUNNEL MINING
Explain the effect this type of mining (open pit/tunnel/in-situ leaching) has on the environment e.g.
Land clearing
Loss of animal diversity
Soil or water contamination
Releases dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, or carbon dioxide
Group members: Char, Bobby, Issy.
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