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I bet it’s better for the environment compared to blasting mountains.

In some ways, yes. It doesn’t involve digging deep tunnels, but if done on a large scale, it can still disrupt river ecosystems and harm aquatic life.

I see. So, it’s an old but still useful method, as long as it’s ...

That sounds cool! So, do people still use this method today?

Yes! Small-scale miners still pan for gold, and larger companies use dredging in certain areas. It’s especially common in places like Alaska and Canada.

I bet it’s better for the environment compared to blasting mountains ...

I’ve seen those old movies where people pan for gold in rivers. Is that placer mining?

Yes! That’s called gold panning, the simplest form of placer mining. But there are also bigger methods, like sluicing, where they use a long wooden or metal channel with ridges to trap gold, and dredging ...

Placer Mining a method used to extract minerals like gold, diamonds, and platinum from riverbeds, sand, and gravel. Miners use water to separate the heavy minerals from lighter materials.

I think it’s related to mining in rivers, right?

I’ve seen those old movies where people pan for gold ...

Maverick wrote: Thu Mar 20, 2025 2:39 am Placer Mining a method used to extract minerals like gold, diamonds, and platinum from riverbeds, sand, and gravel. Miners use water to separate the heavy minerals from lighter materials.

I think it’s related to mining in rivers, right?

Exactly! There’s no need for big open pits or tunnels, so it has a smaller environmental footprint. But, if not managed properly, the chemicals can contaminate groundwater.

That makes sense. So, while it’s a cleaner method in some ways, it still has risks.

Right! That’s why mining ...

Mostly uranium, copper, and some rare metals like lithium. It works best for minerals that dissolve easily in liquid.

I see. So, does that mean there’s less damage to the land?

Exactly! There’s no need for big open pits or tunnels, so it has a smaller environmental footprint. But, if not ...

Instead of digging or blasting, they pump a special liquid, usually an acid or a leaching solution, into the ground to dissolve the minerals. Then, they pump the solution back up and extract the minerals from it.

That sounds pretty different from traditional mining. What kind of minerals ...

What is situ mining? Instead of digging or blasting, they pump a special liquid, usually an acid or a leaching solution, into the ground to dissolve the minerals. Then, they pump the solution back up and extract the minerals from it.

I don’t know much about it. How does it work?

Instead of ...

Maverick wrote: Thu Mar 20, 2025 2:26 am What is situ mining? Instead of digging or blasting, they pump a special liquid, usually an acid or a leaching solution, into the ground to dissolve the minerals. Then, they pump the solution back up and extract the minerals from it.

I don’t know much about it. How does it work?