Environmental Challenges and the Future of Mining - Juniper publishers
Journal of Insights in Mining Science & Technology Abstract Great achievements have been made in mining industry to extract mineral and ore deposits. In this paper, significance of mining technology is introduced firstly. The course and history of mining technologies as well as the progresses made in the past have been summarized. Environmental issues associated with mining are discussed. The power determines the direction and propels the advance of mining technology is analyzed. It is concluded that the mining technology in the future is going to be safer, more intelligent, comprehensive, interdisciplinary and environmentally friendly. The mining objects will shift from traditional reserves to unconventional resources such as geothermal energy, methane clathrate, etc., from the earth’s crust to the earth deeper core, the deep ocean and the outer space. The intensified competition between countries on resources will expedite the adv...