Editing Ore (section)

== Extraction ==
{{Main|Mining}}
[[File:OreCartPachuca.JPG|thumb|upright|Minecart on display at the Historic Archive and Museum of Mining in [[Pachuca]], [[Mexico]]]]
[[File:Simplified world mining map 1.png|thumb|Some ore deposits in the world]]
[[File:Simplified world mining map 2.png|thumb|Some additional ore deposits in the world]]
The extraction of ore deposits generally follows these steps.<ref name="Hustrulid22" /> Progression from stages 1–3 will see a continuous disqualification of potential ore bodies as more information is obtained on their viability:<ref name="Marjoribanks-1997">{{Cite book |last=Marjoribanks |first=Roger W. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/37694569 |title=Geological methods in mineral exploration and mining |date=1997 |publisher=Chapman & Hall |isbn=0-412-80010-1 |edition=1st |location=London |oclc=37694569}}</ref>

# [[Prospecting]] to find where an ore is located. The prospecting stage generally involves mapping, [[geophysical survey]] techniques ([[Aerial survey|aerial]] and/or [[Surveying|ground-based]] surveys), geochemical sampling, and preliminary drilling.<ref name="Marjoribanks-1997" /><ref name="novascotia.ca">{{Cite web |title=The Mining Cycle {{!}} novascotia.ca |url=https://novascotia.ca/natr/meb/education/mining-cycle.asp |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=novascotia.ca}}</ref>
# After a deposit is discovered, [[Mineral exploration|exploration]] is conducted to define its extent and value via further mapping and sampling techniques such as targeted [[Exploration diamond drilling|diamond drilling]] to intersect the potential ore body. This exploration stage determines ore grade, tonnage, and if the deposit is a viable economic resource.<ref name="Marjoribanks-1997" /><ref name="novascotia.ca" />
# A [[feasibility study]] then considers the theoretical implications of the potential mining operation in order to determine if it should move ahead with development. This includes evaluating the economically recoverable portion of the deposit, marketability and payability of the ore concentrates, engineering, milling and infrastructure costs, finance and equity requirements, potential environmental impacts, political implications, and a cradle to grave analysis from the initial excavation all the way through to [[Land reclamation|reclamation]].<ref name="Marjoribanks-1997" /> Multiple experts from differing fields must then approve the study before the project can move on to the next stage.<ref name="Hustrulid22" /> Depending on the size of the project, a pre-feasibility study is sometimes first performed to decide preliminary potential and if a much costlier full feasibility study is even warranted.<ref name="Marjoribanks-1997" />
# Development begins once an ore body has been confirmed economically viable and involves steps to prepare for its extraction such as building of a mine plant and equipment.<ref name="Hustrulid22" />
# Production can then begin and is the operation of the mine in an active sense. The time a mine is active is dependent on its remaining reserves and profitability.<ref name="Hustrulid22" /><ref name="novascotia.ca" /> The extraction method used is entirely dependent on the deposit type, geometry, and surrounding geology.<ref name="Onargan-2012">{{Cite book |last=Onargan |first=Turgay |url= |title=Mining Methods |date=2012 |publisher=IntechOpen |isbn=978-953-51-0289-2 |location= |oclc=}}</ref> Methods can be generally categorized into surface mining such as [[Open-pit mining|open pit]] or [[Strip-mining|strip mining]], and underground mining such as [[Block Caving|block caving]], cut and fill, and [[stoping]].<ref name="Onargan-2012" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brady |first=B. H. G. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/262680067 |title=Rock mechanics : for underground mining |date=2006 |publisher=Kluwer Academic Publishers |others=E. T. Brown |isbn=978-1-4020-2116-9 |edition=3rd |location=Dordrecht |oclc=262680067}}</ref>
# [[Land rehabilitation|Reclamation]], once the mine is no longer operational, makes the land where a mine had been suitable for future use.<ref name="novascotia.ca" />

With rates of ore discovery in a steady decline since the mid 20th century, it is thought that most surface level, easily accessible sources have been exhausted. This means progressively lower grade deposits must be turned to, and new methods of extraction must be developed.<ref name="Jenkin-2014" />