Extraction of minerals in South Africa

Twitter: @LilyKotze

Minerals can be extracted from its ore through

chemical or physical processes.

Iron is extracted from iron ore through chemical processes.

Gold is extracted from gold ore through physical processes.

Knowledge of extraction of iron and copper is thousands of years old.

Indigenous technology of extraction.

During the Iron Age, smelting furnaces were built around the Melville Koppies in the area of the modern day Johannesburg.This type of foundry started in 1 060 B.C. The primitive smelting of iron was done in extremely hot ovens. The temperature and ventilation in the ovens were controlled. After the iron had melted, the iron would harden and then hammered to get rid of the silt. Afterwards, it was processed and cut into sheets.

Modern day processes for extraction

Open cast mine

Open cast mines are big holes with terraces – like a stadium or amphitheatre.

These mines can be many kilometres long, and hundred metres deep.

Deep level mine

Shafts are sunk to levels where mineral-bearing ore can be reached.

Rock is loosened with explosives.

Ore is hoisted to the surface.

Topsoil is removed and ore loosened by drilling, then blasting.

Ore is loaded onto trucks and moved to conveyor belts.

Iron ore is separated according to quality. The best ore (64% iron) is sent to a blast furnace.

Iron ore (hematite) is mixed with carbon and limestone and heated in a furnace.

Slag are impurities, in the form of molten metal foam.

Pig Iron contains impurities like carbon, sulfur, phosphorous and silicon. It is hard andBrittle, so it breaks easily.

If these impurities are removed and other elements are added, steel is obtained

Environmental impact of mines.

Scarred landscapes

Habitat destruction

Air and dust pollution

Noise pollution

Damage with high value tourism/cultural heritage places.

Loss of farmland and conservation areas

Water pollution

Mine dumps:Unsightly,Destroy habitatsFire hazard,Water pollution

Title slide: http://s3.amazonaws.com/kidzworld_photo/images/20141114/bbe09640-e8d3-4306-b25d-19bf2e4a4134/feature_fossil-fuels-feat.jpgSlide 3: http://www.thisissierraleone.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/iron-ore.jpg Slide 4: http://www.warehamforge.ca/ironsmelting/smelt/smelt06/oct06A.jpg Slide 6: http://www.csiro.au/~/media/MRF/Images/Case%20Studies/Slope_stability/open-iron-ore-mine_associated.jpg?mw=1920&hash=978CF5CC1025FD5751584D1A3106EEFB025C37F1 Slide 8: https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8076/8334806973_a8ea335d59_b.jpg Slide 10: http://www.miningglobal.com/public/uploads/large/large_DSC_0029_(2).jpg Slide 11: http://static.progressivemediagroup.com/uploads/imagelibrary/nri/mining/projects/Sishen/Sishen.jpg Slide 12: http://www.cccomponents.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/diversion-plough1.jpg Slide 13: https://darrenketchumphotography.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/blast-furnace.jpg Slide 15: http://practicalmaintenance.net/wp-content/uploads/Blast-Furnace.jpg Slide 16: http://www.durhamfoundry.com/images/slideshow/pile-pig-iron.jpg Slide 18: http://i3.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article8597141.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Parc-SlipJPG.jpg

Slide 19: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Surface_Mining_Hambach_200800806.jpg Slide 20: http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/01/08/suncor-oil-sands-2009_wide-44ac8d59038e889932473aa893ace30b98e92dea-s900-c85.jpg, and http://www.mikegoldwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/07-070814-733-1024x682.jpg Slide 21: http://files.stv.tv/imagebase/101/623x349/101148-open-cast-mining-plan-for-loch.jpg Slide 22: http://rosia-montana-cultural-foundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/open-pit-mining-around-the-world-300x225.jpg Slide 23: http://www.robinwyatt.org/photography/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/open-cast-mining-sindhudurg.jpg Slide 24: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Lagoa_vermelha_na_Mina_do_Losal_05.jpg Slide 25: http://www.timeslive.co.za/incoming/2015/03/14/mine-dump-5.jpg/ALTERNATES/crop_630x432/Mine+Dump+5.JPG