Finally - Mining in Clear and Understandable Language. How Mining Works explains complex mining concepts in a way simple enough for those who are not familiar with the industry, yet thorough enogh to be useful to long-time professionals. This colorful book presents a logical and sensible sequence for acquiring a strong working knowledge of the world of mining. Chapter 1 provides a quick geology review, explaining how the earth is structured ...how, why, and where mineral ores are created ...and how technological advances help us make educated guesses about where to locate new mines. The next three chapters present mining and refining operations. Chapter 2 offers in-depth explanations about the different types of mining, the equipment and procedures needed for both surface and deep mining, and Chapter 3 follows with six methods for processing the ore into usable refined metal. And, since not all mines produce metals, Chapter 4 covers nonmetallic operations that produce coal, diamonds, and aggregates such as clays and feldspars. The second half of the book puts mining in the context of the wider world.
