Mining Methods Vary Widely - Mining and the Environment: From Ore to Metal - page 239

Seabed Mining

Other mining methods have been subjects of interest for a number of research groups for
several decades, with primary attention being to deep seabed mining, due to its potential to
recover large reserves of minerals that could provide a future alternative source of metals.
A deep-sea mining operation would offer a variety of challenges, owing to distant locations
(thousands of kilometres from the coast), deep-sea mineral occurrences (5 to 6 km of water
depths), extreme physical and chemical conditions (high pressure, low temperature) and
unknown environmental settings. Deep-sea mining and other non-commercial mining con-
cepts are not covered in this text, as they are still in their infancy. The interested reader may
i nd these specialized references useful for further study (e.g. ISOPE 2002; Cronan 2000).

5.3 ARTISANAL MINING - MINING OUTSIDE
OF ESTABLISHED LAW

Artisanal mining is dei ned as small-scale mineral extraction, using mainly manual meth-
ods, carried out by individuals or small family groups. Other terms in common usage are
'small-scale mining' and 'illegal mining', the latter when artisanal mining is carried out
on a tenement granting exclusive mining rights to others, usually a mining company. The
main products of artisanal mining are gold, silver (usually as a by-product), tin and gem-
stones, although coal is also produced by small-scale miners in China and Indonesia.
Two contrasting categories of artisanal mining are recognized: (1) the 'Gold rush',
which is a relatively short term phenomenon, characterized by large inl uxes of mainly
unskilled, transient people hoping to 'strike it lucky'; and (2) traditional small-scale min-
ing by skilled practitioners, using methods adapted to local conditions, usually operating
within an established mineral i eld, sometimes for generations.

Gold Rushes

Famous gold rushes occurred in California in the late 1840s, followed by a succession of
gold rushes in central Victoria, Australia in the 1850s, and the Klondike gold rush in the
Canadian Yukon at the end of the 19th century. In the late 20th century, gold rushes have
occurred in Brazil, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Remarkably, the
nature of gold rushes has changed little since the 1840s, while corporate mining has been
completely transformed.
The typical gold rush phenomenon follows a familiar pattern:

●

Gold (or precious stones) are discovered at or near the surface in an area of no pre-
viously known occurrence; often, the initial discovery will be an alluvial or placer
deposit, as these are readily identii ed by prospectors ( Case 5.4 );

Often, the initial discovery will
be an alluvial or placer deposit,
as these are readily identifi ed by
prospectors.

●

As the news spreads, thousands of people l ock to the area; the people may come from
diverse backgrounds and include adventurers, veterans of previous gold rushes and the
extremely poor, together with large numbers of opportunists, including criminals;

●

Only the i rst arrivals will normally be successful in securing land for mining. Most peo-
ple arrive after all available, prospective land is taken; late arrivals may return to their
original homes but, more commonly, they stay in the hope that opportunities will arise;

●

Initial mining techniques are simple and include excavation by pick and shovel, pan-
ning, dry blowing or cradling to collect free gold or gemstones;