Three Advanced Techniques for Copper Mining
Copper is the most important element found in the earth’s crust and oceans. The amount present in oceans is quite negligible. Approximately 33ppm of copper is present on the earth’s crust of the upper 10 kilometers. Copper is present in the form of ores, and it has to be extracted for use in various purposes.
Uses of Copper
- Machinery
- It is used in making machinery and electrical pieces of equipment.
- The use of copper is in manufacturing electric vehicles.
- Eco-friendly automobiles also require copper.
- Agriculture
- Copper is used for sugar detection.
- It acts as an algicide.
- It is used for purification purposes.
Common Ores of Copper
Copper occurs in nature in two ores which are mined to get the pure copper. These ores are:
Copper Sulfide
- They are less abundant
- Contain high amounts of copper
- Processing costs are high
- More copper is obtained
- More economical
- Profitable and feasible
Copper Oxide
- Less abundant, low-grade ore
- It contains a low amount of copper
- Processing costs are economical
- Profitable
Advanced Techniques of Copper Mining
The copper is extracted from its ores by three techniques. The principle behind the mining techniques is to loosen the rock and blast it to extract ore, and then it is further processed.
- Open-pit Mining: This technique is done by creating benches to reach the deeper surface of the earth. Holes are dug to remove ores, and copper is extracted. This technique of mining is also used by Solaris Resources in its Warintza project, a great mining company that produces high-quality copper.
- Widely used technique
- Extract copper ores near the earth’s surface
- High productivity
- Low costs of operation
- Large capital investment
- Strip Mining
It is the process in which ore or mineral is mined by removing a strip of rock and soil.
- Used for horizontal beds of minerals
- Eco-friendly
- Cost-effective
- Underground Mining
It is used when the copper ore is deep in the earth’s surface. It is accomplished by sinking shafts to the desired levels to reach the ore. Horizontal tunnels are also driven to reach appropriate levels.
- Less energy requirement
- Less investment
- Eco-friendly
Mining Operations of Canada
Copper is found in ores of sulfides and porphyry deposits. The companies in Canada mine copper as a result of the mining of molybdenum, lead, nickel, and zinc. Solaris Resources Inc is a great example of a few well-known mining companies in Canada. Some of the copper mining operations occurring in Canada are:
- Sudbury Operation
Location: Ontario
Mine Type: Underground and Open-pit mining
Commodities: copper, cobalt, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, nickel
- Kidd Operation
Location: Ontario
Mine Type: Underground mining
Commodities: Copper, zinc
- Gibraltar Mine
Location: Cariboo region, B.C.
Mine Type: Open pit and Underground mining
Commodities: copper, molybdenum
- New Afton Mine
Location: West of Kamloops, B.C.
Mine Type: Open pit and Underground
Commodities: gold, copper
- Red Chris Mine
Location: Dease Lake, B.C.
Mine Type: Open-pit
Commodities: copper, gold
Conclusion
The techniques and major companies extracting copper have been listed above. The effort made behind the extraction is due to the extensive uses of copper in advanced machinery and others.
