ABSTRACT
This chapter describes techniques and activities associated with exploration for mineral deposits, development of mines and processing facilities, extraction and beneficiation of ores containing desired minerals, and further processing of ores. The ultimate decommissioning of the mine facilities is also described here briefly; Chapter 4 deals in greater detail with reclamation and rehabilitation of mining properties. The descriptions of the various stages include brief summaries of their environmental effects, but it should be remembered that these effects are often quite specific to the mineral commodity being processed. Detailed explanations will be found in Chapter 3 and in the chapters dealing with commodity groups.
