Since civilization began, people have used mining techniques to access minerals in the surface of the Earth. Discoveries have shown that flint pebbles were extracted from deposits in France and Britain as far back as the New Stone Age. Ancient Egyptians mined copper as far back as 3000 BCE. In the earliest days, mining was slow-going and dangerous. However, as time progressed, society has developed safer and more accurate methods of locating and uncovering substances found in the earth.
United States Mining History
Gold mining
- In 1848, the California Gold Rush brought approximately 300,000 people to California from abroad and elsewhere in the country.
- In 1858, people flocked to Colorado during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. Just one year later, silver veins were discovered in Colorado as well.
- From 1898 to 1911, the Nome Gold Rush, Klondike Gold Rush, and Fairbanks Gold Rush occurred in Alaska, bringing prospectors and miners to the Yukon River Valley.
Coal mining
- Some coal mining began before 1900, but the most productive coal mining techniques didn’t develop until after the turn of the century, including the first conveyor belt and mechanized coal loading.
- Bituminous coal overtook anthracite in the mid-1800s.
- In the 1960s, smaller coal companies merged into larger, more diversified firms.
- In 2008, competition in the coal mining industry became more intense than ever, leading to a demand for better technology and new mines.
History of Mining Technology
In the beginning, miners used primitive tools for digging. Mining shafts were dug out by hand or using stone tools, making the entire process very lengthy. Eventually, the pick and hammer were replaced with fire to clear tunnels and reach greater depths at a faster rate. By piling a heap of logs near the rock face and burning them, the rock weakened and fractured.
Mining technology leaped forward again in the late Middle Ages when miners started using explosives to break up large rocks. Black powder reached the West, likely from China. Black powder was eventually replaced with dynamite in the mid 19th century. At the same time, advancements were being made in motorized mining tools, such as drills, lifts and steam-powered pumps.
The Industrial Revolution spurred improvements in explosives and mining equipment. Mechanical drills powered by pistons, then compressed air, significantly increased the capability and efficiency of mining hard rock. Improvements in other mining processes occurred too. Hand-powered loading and hauling were replaced by electric conveyors, mine cars, and vehicles. Steam-driven pumps solved the problem of water inflow. Candles and oil-wick lamps were improved by gas lamps, and eventually battery-powered lamps. Mechanization and new technology sparked dramatic improvements in mining techniques.
Mining Technology in the Present
In today’s technologically-advanced society, mining techniques are always improving. For example, using surface mining techniques, many mining operations are now able to extract over 85 percent of minerals and 98 percent of metallic ores — without digging a shaft or endangering the lives of workers. Newly-developed machines used for grinding and crushing can extract minerals from the earth with less energy than ever before.
Miners still use heavy machinery, such as explosives, trucks, drills, and bulldozers, especially if they must dig deep into the earth. However, advances in technology have allowed miners to excavate with more accuracy and less harm to the surrounding environment. More efficient machinery can also be used to reduce energy consumption and improve the number of minerals or metals gleaned from the shaft.
The history of mining is rich and complicated. Mining has led to great advancements for society, but the dangers of mining have also resulted in the deaths of many workers. As technology continues to advance, however, mining techniques become even more accurate and efficient. In the future, revolutionary technologies may eliminate the need for hands-on involvement from miners entirely.
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FAQs
Mining is the process of extracting useful materials from the earth. Some examples of substances that are mined include coal, gold, or iron ore. Iron ore is the material from which the metal iron is produced. The process of mining dates back to prehistoric times.
How has mining improved over time? ›
Improved Safety: Automated mining technologies have improved job site safety by taking on operations in dangerous working conditions so that miners don't have to. Tools like smart sensors have also minimized the frequency of health and safety incidents and injuries.
What is the advance method of mining? ›
"Advance and relieve" mining involves the removal of a pillar or a portion of a pillar during development, thereby creating a cave along one side of the panel. Following cave development, the horizontal stress is relieved over the workings adjacent to the cave in the active panel.
What was the mining technology in the Industrial Revolution? ›
The Industrial Revolution spurred improvements in explosives and mining equipment. Mechanical drills powered by pistons, then compressed air, significantly increased the capability and efficiency of mining hard rock. Improvements in other mining processes occurred too.
What is the summary of mining? ›
mining, process of extracting useful minerals from the surface of the Earth, including the seas. A mineral, with a few exceptions, is an inorganic substance occurring in nature that has a definite chemical composition and distinctive physical properties or molecular structure.
What is the history of process mining? ›
History and place in data science
The term "process mining" was first coined in a research proposal written by the Dutch computer scientist Wil van der Aalst. Thus began a new field of research that emerged under the umbrella of techniques related to data science and process science at the Eindhoven University in 1999.
What is the mining of technology? ›
Tech mining or technology mining refers to applying text mining methods to technical documents. For patent analysis purposes, it is named 'patent mining'.
What made mining become extremely important? ›
Mined materials are needed to construct roads and hospitals, to build automobiles and houses, to make computers and satellites, to generate electricity, and to provide the many other goods and services that consumers enjoy. In addition, mining is economically important to producing regions and countries.
What is the advancing method of mining? ›
In advance mining, the longwall face is set up a short distance from the main development tunnels or headings. The gate entries of the longwall face are formed as the coal is mined, with roadways formed adjacent to the gob. Each coal panel is separate from the adjacent workings with a solid barrier pillar.
What are the four 4 types of mining? ›
There are four main mining methods: underground, open surface (pit), placer, and in-situ mining. Underground mines are more expensive and are often used to reach deeper deposits.
Open-pit, underwater, and underground mining. These are the three main methods of mining we use to extract our products from the ground. In this Digging Deeper article, we take a look at these different methods and provide a glimpse into what each involves.
How has mining changed over time? ›
Mining technology has come leaps and bounds since the industrial revolution. Rapid advancements in technology and the introduction of new innovations have significantly changed how the mining industry operates. These modern advancements include technology such as automation, digitization, and electrification.
How did people mine before dynamite? ›
Before dynamite was invented in 1867, black powder explosives (sulfur, charcoal and saltpeter) were used to break rock. However, they were not very powerful, and they were dangerous to transport.
What are the old methods of mining? ›
Early mining methods involved human labour and water to free gold from clay and soil. A diggers' toolkit included a wide tin pan, pick axes, spades, shovels, a wheelbarrow, felling axes, trowels, iron wedges, crowbars, metal buckets and a cradle.
What was the meaning of mining? ›
Mining is the industry and activities connected with getting valuable or useful minerals from the ground, for example coal, diamonds, or gold. ... traditional industries such as coal mining and steel making.
What is a mining claim in history? ›
A mining claim is the claim of the right to extract minerals from a tract of public land. In the United States, the practice began with the California gold rush of 1849. In the absence of organized government, the miners in each new mining camp made up their own rules, and to a large extent adopted Mexican mining law.
What does mine mean in history? ›
From mid-14c. as "to dig in the earth" (in order to obtain minerals, treasure, etc.). Figurative meaning "ruin or destroy by slow or secret methods" is from mid-14c. Transitive sense of "to extract by mining" is from late 14c. For the sense of "to lay (explosive) mines," see mine (v.
What is mining in medieval times? ›
Mining as an industry underwent dramatic changes in medieval Europe. The mining industry in the early Middle Ages was mainly focused on the extraction of copper and iron. Other precious metals were also used mainly for gilding or coinage.
Gold mining
