Iron ore is primarily extracted through large-scale open-pit mining using a progressive benching method.
Here's a breakdown of the extraction process:
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Site Preparation: The process begins with clearing the land of vegetation and removing any soil or rock (overburden) that lies above the iron ore deposit.
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Drilling and Blasting: Once the ore is exposed, it's drilled and blasted with explosives to break it into smaller, manageable pieces.
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Benching: The ore is extracted in stages, forming a series of steps or "benches" along the sides of the open pit. These benches provide access to progressively deeper layers of ore.
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Loading and Hauling: Large excavators and loaders scoop up the blasted ore and load it onto haul trucks.
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Transportation: The haul trucks transport the ore to a processing plant for crushing, screening, and other beneficiation processes to improve its quality.
In summary, iron ore extraction is a large-scale operation that involves clearing overburden, drilling and blasting the ore, and then extracting it in benches using heavy machinery.
