The Craft of Mining: Resources

Follow the process from mine exploration, development, operation, decomissioning to post closure. Watch short videos of each part of the process.

Although this site sells jewellery it does provide some information on the impact of mining on communities.

The Smithsonian magazine describes the disastrous impact on the environment caused by mining for gold.

This fact sheet covers the following:
occurence
resources and deposits
mining and processing
refining
uses

16 steps of gold mining and refinement are described here using easy to understand explanations and illustrations

This fact sheet covers the following topics:
Introduction
Occurrence
Australian Resources and Deposits
Australia in the World
Mining and Processing
Uses
Suggestions for Further Reading

4 step process from mine to jewellery

The following headings are covered in this fact sheet:
Introduction
Occurrence
Australian Resources and Deposits
Australia in the World
Mining and Processing
Uses
Suggestions for Further Reading

Mining can impact local communities both positively and negatively. While positive impacts such as employment and community development projects are important, they do not off-set the potential negatives.

A list of environmental impacts on the environment.

Where are the opal fields of Australia? A map of the opal fields.

Opal is one of the few minerals which can be extracted economically by a miner working alone. The simplest form of mining, carried out in the early days of opal mining, is by shaft sinking with a pick and shovel.

History of uranium mines, the process involved and the environmental impacts.

This mine has recently closed but this article mentions the rehabilitation phase of repairing the land.

The Yeelirrie uranium mine is the newest instalment in Australia’s long tradition of ignoring the dignity and welfare of Aboriginal communities in the pursuit of nuclear fuel.

All the gemstones with a list of their properties arranged in alphabetical order.
Written by Author: Hobart M. King, Ph.D., GIA Graduate Gemologist

Mining can impact local communities both positively and negatively. While positive impacts such as employment and community development projects are important, they do not off-set the potential negatives.

The CSIRO found that whilst economic and environmental performance were above the national average, social indicators lagged. Good social performance means looking after the community near a mining site. It also means connecting with “responsible” or “ethical” supply chains for metals.

Gemstone Mining is very complex and tedious process that requires huge input of valuable resources such as time, workforce, equipments and knowledge etc.

Provided by the Minerals Council of Australia. They have been prepared in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and contain information about major mineral commodities and Australia's minerals industry. (Gold Silver Diamond)

Photos of typical minerals.

From National Geographic a photo gallery of minerals.

All the gems with photos and facts.

Choose a category, minerals or metals, and open the link to find information about the properties and chemical formulae.

Find your metal or mineral here: descriptions, chemical formula, physical properties, mining, usage in jewellery making and location of major deposits.

Search for images of minerals and metals and metal production

Images

Information, uses etc.