Difference between revisions of "Mining"
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| − | '''Mining''' is the process of fetching natural raw material from below the [[Mars|Martian]] surface for further processing. The fetched raw materials are frozen [[water]], [[minerals]] and [[ore]]. | + | '''Mining''' is the process of fetching natural [[raw materials|raw material]] from below the [[Mars|Martian]] surface for further processing. The fetched raw materials are frozen [[water]], [[minerals]] and [[ore]]. |
==Technology== | ==Technology== | ||
Mining is an [[energy]] consuming job. Due to the thin [[atmosphere]] the [[digging machine]]s are supposed to work [[automation|automated]] or remote controlled. | Mining is an [[energy]] consuming job. Due to the thin [[atmosphere]] the [[digging machine]]s are supposed to work [[automation|automated]] or remote controlled. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Surface Mining Methods== | ||
| + | ===Strip Mining=== | ||
| + | When resources are available close to the surface, a strip mine is the most efficient method of extraction. The layers of [[regolith]] covering the resource are taken away, and the exposed ore is mined. This method is also called open-pit mining. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Subsurface Mining Methods== | ||
| + | When the natural resource lies far underground, it is far more efficient to dig tunnels to access the ore than to remove the overlaying rock and regolith. There are many subsurface mining methods, and they are often used in conjunction with each other. | ||
| + | ===Drift Mines=== | ||
| + | Drift mining consists of primarily horizontal tunnels. These are most often dug into a hillside. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Slope Mining=== | ||
| + | Slope mining uses diagonal tunnels to access ore. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Shaft Mining=== | ||
| + | Vertical shafts are used in shaft mining. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Room and Pillar Mining=== | ||
| + | In this method, large galleries are dug into the ore. Pillars of ore are left at regular intervals to support the celing. After all the ore has been removed, these pillars may be removed through retreat mining, leading to the collapse of the chamber. This collapse may lead to surface subsidence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Longwall Mining=== | ||
| + | Longwall mining begins with a long horizontal shaft. The roof is held up mechanically by moveable supports. One side of the shaft is mined along its entire length. As this mine progresses, the mechanical supports move foreward with the face. The old area of the mine is left unsupported, and allowed to collapse under its own weight, often leading to surface subsidence. | ||
==Emerging galleries== | ==Emerging galleries== | ||
Revision as of 05:25, 6 December 2008
Mining is the process of fetching natural raw material from below the Martian surface for further processing. The fetched raw materials are frozen water, minerals and ore.
Contents
Technology
Mining is an energy consuming job. Due to the thin atmosphere the digging machines are supposed to work automated or remote controlled.
Surface Mining Methods
Strip Mining
When resources are available close to the surface, a strip mine is the most efficient method of extraction. The layers of regolith covering the resource are taken away, and the exposed ore is mined. This method is also called open-pit mining.
Subsurface Mining Methods
When the natural resource lies far underground, it is far more efficient to dig tunnels to access the ore than to remove the overlaying rock and regolith. There are many subsurface mining methods, and they are often used in conjunction with each other.
Drift Mines
Drift mining consists of primarily horizontal tunnels. These are most often dug into a hillside.
Slope Mining
Slope mining uses diagonal tunnels to access ore.
Shaft Mining
Vertical shafts are used in shaft mining.
Room and Pillar Mining
In this method, large galleries are dug into the ore. Pillars of ore are left at regular intervals to support the celing. After all the ore has been removed, these pillars may be removed through retreat mining, leading to the collapse of the chamber. This collapse may lead to surface subsidence.
Longwall Mining
Longwall mining begins with a long horizontal shaft. The roof is held up mechanically by moveable supports. One side of the shaft is mined along its entire length. As this mine progresses, the mechanical supports move foreward with the face. The old area of the mine is left unsupported, and allowed to collapse under its own weight, often leading to surface subsidence.
Emerging galleries
The artificial caves are a nice side effect. They can be used to expand the settlement with storage rooms, living rooms, underground greenhouses, gas container for energy storage or storage of chemicals.
