Keyhole Mining
- Could the SORDMiner effectively mine in environmentally sensitive areas?
- Why does the surface not collapse?
- What is the difference between Open Cut and Keyhole mining?
- Why is there less impact on the environment?
Could the SORDMiner effectively mine in environmentally sensitive areas?
As the SORDMiner extracts ore without disturbing the surface environment, and has the option of returning waste material back to the subsurface, it is ideally suited to mining resources in environmentally sensitive areas. The long reach of the SORDMiner of up to one kilometre allows for a mining operation to be also located some distance away from the deposit location.
Why does the surface not collapse?
Most collapsing environments become self-supporting after 5 to 10 metres. This, in combination with the potential for the SORDMiner to repack processed material when in retreat, reduces discernable surface subsidence.
What is the difference between Open Cut and Keyhole mining?
Open Cut entails the total removal of all over burden including any flora at surface and then the removal of bulk material using large earth moving equipment. In the case of mineral sands, mining often involves creating a pond of water and floating a large dredge to remove material as slurry. Open Cut mining generates substantial quantities of waste rock, which creates large mounds on the surface, and leaves a large "footprint" on the environment. It also requires considerable rehabilitation on cessation of mining.
Keyhole mining on the other hand is designed to target the resource and remove little to no over burden and minimal non-target ore.
Why is there less impact on the environment?
Keyhole mining does not involve removing over burden or stripping the surface. As its name suggests it mines down an entry point. After completion of mining, the mine site ‘foot print' will be a fraction of that of an open cut or dredging operation, and will require much less environmental restoration.