MEM 501 - Fundamentals of the Mineral Industry Module 2 Assignment

This assignment solution addresses key concepts in mineral industry exploration, as outlined in the MEM 501 course. It begins by differentiating between the exploration and mine-site development stages, crucial for any mining project. The solution then contrasts greenfield and brownfield exploration sites, emphasizing the distinct approaches and considerations for each. Furthermore, the assignment explores the interplay of various mining mechanisms, including investigation, excavation, and treatment, highlighting how these processes can overlap. Detailed analysis of the Corani deposit is provided, including the identification of silver-bearing minerals like argentotennantite, along with zinc and lead-bearing minerals. The elemental composition of argentotennantite is also listed. The importance of understanding mineral properties for effective processing is emphasized. Finally, the solution discusses the significance of considering environmental impacts and the role of technology in future mineral exploration and mining operations, including the development of handheld investigative devices.

Solution.1
Difference between the first two stages:
Exploration:
The beginning of each excavating scheme initiates with the exploration phase. It is the phase
where the magic happens. Corporations recruit geologists and others to view the different
parts of the chemical bonding in the exploration process. The methods, for example
environmental exterior mapping, geophysical extents, and geochemical study are often
realistic at an initial phase to pinch out possible pledges.
Mine-site plan and development:
When the charting process and the inorganic supply facts are composed, and the results
shows in robust conditions then the scheme can be change ahead for the project and the
development phase. This scheme usually contains studies for supporting the companies as
how a plan can be harmless, ecologically complete, carefully feasible, and informally
accountable?
Solution.2
Difference between Greenfield and brownfield exploration site:
In Greenfield vs. Brownfield Investments, Segal suggests that in a Greenfield asset, parent
business releases a subordinate business in another nation. In the place of obtaining a
contemporary ability in that nation, the corporation initiates an innovative ideology by
creating the facilities in that nation. Building plans can comprise more than just the
manufacturing ability. They sometimes also involve in the inference of workplaces, spaces
for the corporation's control and organization, as well as circulation centers.
Brownfield reserves, on the other hand, happen when an object acquisitions or let suppose a
current capability instigates the innovative manufacturing. Corporations may deliberate this
method as an uncountable recess and currency investor; meanwhile, there is no requirement
to go through the gestures of a brand new development construction.

Solution.3
The three main mechanisms of mining (investigation, excavating, and treating) get overlap
sometimes. In the research findings, an inorganic bond has been recognized that the
production must create substantial speculation in mine expansion before the construction
initiates. Additional research nearby the deposit and further improvement boring within the
bond are complete although the excavating is on-going. Commination (i.e., the refusal of the
pillar to ease the departure of rock quartzes from discarded) syndicates criticizing (an element
procedure of excavating) with devastating and crushing (processing stages).
Solution.4
(a) There are various several mineral, aside from argentotennantite, contains silver, in
Corani deposit.
1. Acanthite (Ag2S)
2. Aguilarite (Ag4SeS)
3. Alaskaite (Pb(Ag, Cu)2Bi4S8)
4. Allargentum (Ag6Sb)
5. Andorite (PbAgSb3S6)
Zinc bearing mineral:
Giraudite (Cu, Zn, Ag)12(As, Sb)4 (Se, S)13
Lead bearing Material:
Alaskaite (Pb(Ag, Cu)2Bi4S8)
(b) There are various elements which are found in Argentotennantite (Ag6[Cu4(Fe,
Zn)2]As4S13) ):

1. Ag - Silver
2. Cu- Copper
3. Fe – Iron
4. Zn – Zinc
5. As – Arsenic
6. S – Sulfur
(c) In the exploitation of some inorganic, it is significant to comprehend the chief
characteristic properties and arrangement which regulate their performance
throughout processing. Furthermore, the countenances of crystals too frequently
monitor the efficient feature of profitable mistreatment of credits. Consequently, the
examined chemical structures of this mineral are associated with those of crucial iron
mineral making nations. Moreover, it is related to marketplace values in command to
measure its features and control the feasibility of forceful manipulation. (Muwanguzi,
Karasev, Byaruhanga and J ¨ onsson 1-9)
Solution.5
By considering the efforts of liquids over the earth, for instance, over improved hydrologic
representations, will be severe for future inorganic exploration; along with for efficiently
concluding mines that have finished their lifetime. The attention of the study on biological
mineral bonds has altered with innovative inorganic detections and with swipes in product
values. Geoscientists have industrialized many replicas of mineral bonds. Prototypical for
mineral bonds that, when excavated, have negligible influences on the atmosphere (for
example, relationships with no acid-producing volume) and form relationships that may be
agreeable to pioneering in-situ removal will be significant for the future. Since the prices of
recovery, conclusion, post-mining terrestrial usage, and extended-term ecological observation
must be joined into mine viability studies, the healthiness and environmental features of a
mineral figure must be thriving unstated throughout the exploration phase.

As investigative equipment is contracted, cheap hand-held devices that could be used in the
ground or in excavations to deliver real-time investigative outcomes would meaningfully
advantage mineral investigation and excavating, as well as atmosphere supervisors.
References
Muwanguzi, Abraham J et al. " Characterization of chemical composition and microstructure
of natural iron ore from muko deposits ". International scholarly research network.
2012.174803. 2012: 1-9. Web.
Segal, Troy " Greenfield vs. brownfield investments: what's the difference?. " Investopedia.
Web 11 february 2020. 2019. <
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/043015/what-difference-between-green-
field-and-brown-field-investment.asp. >.