Back

MINING
Lesson 3 - Page 6

Next 

There are basically two types of aggregate mining. Aggregates that are ready to be used without major blasting and screening is the most prized. Geologically you would look for glacial, marine, lake, stream, and eolian (wind) deposits that have not yet become sedimentary rocks. These would be the cleanest deposits. Other deposits may include poorly cemented sedimentary rocks, especially for pebbles and gravel and hard consolidated rocks like igneous or chemical sedimentary for road fill.

If they are looking just for sand deposits, they can mine them on an ancient beach. For example, there are ancient sand dunes at Sand City in California. The mining operation just bags the old sand and sells it as play sand (coarser grained) and sand for concrete (finer grained).


Sand City, California


River gravel

   Back

[Back to Mining]  [Back to Earth Science Grid]

Next