Mining

A roadheader digs into a regolith cliff and feeds an automated truck.

Mining is the process of collecting raw materials from the Martian natural resources for further processing. The raw materials extracted from the Martian surface are frozen water, minerals and ore. The thin atmosphere can be exploited for resources by atmospheric mining. Mining is preceded by mineralogical exploration, to identify concentrations of minerals that might be exploited by a mine.

Technology

Mining is an energy consuming activity. Due to the hostile environment, the digging machines are expected to be automated, or be remote controlled. However, in-situ resources are almost always less expensive than resources imported from Earth.

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, or regolith harvesting, depending on the depth of the work.

Subsurface Mining Methods

When the natural resource lies far underground, it is more efficient to dig tunnels to access the ore than to remove the overlaying rock and regolith. Since Mars has only about 38% as much gravity as Earth people should be able to extend mines to a depth about 2.6 times as deep as on Earth without the tunnel collapsing from hydrostatic pressure. This should allow the search for valuable minerals to a depth of more than seven kilometers. 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. The shaft is often provide with an elevator system and used to access extended horizontal galleries.

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 ceiling. 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 forward 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.

Secondary use for mining galleries

Before and after image of a tunnel settlement.

The artificial caves created by mining can be a valuable side effect of subsurface mining. They can be used to expand the settlement with storage rooms, living rooms, underground greenhouses, gas container for energy storage or for storage of chemicals.

See also

• Atmospheric processing