All You Need to Know About Limestone Mining Process

 India is a country enriched with potentially valuable mineral resources. Based on the diverse geological environment of the country, more than 90 minerals are found in India, out of which 4 are fuel minerals, 52 non-metallic, 11 metallic minerals, and 23 minor minerals. With this great wealth of natural mineral resources, the mining industry here is flourishing and contributing to the country's economic expansion. 

 A variety of mineral resources are extracted in India on both small and large scales. Out of all the rich mineral resources found, Limestone is one extensively varied industrial mineral commodity. It is a natural sedimentary rock found in the Earth's crust. Many soda ash manufacturers in India extract Limestone using different mining methods that we will discuss further in this blog.

So, how exactly mining of Limestone is done? Before we move on to that part, let's talk a little more about Limestones and how they are composed in Earth's crust.

Introduction to Limestones: A Substantial Industrial Mineral Resource

This sedimentary rock is significant because it comprises 50% calcium carbonate, usually the minerals calcite (pure CaCO3) or dolomite (calcium-magnesium carbonate, CaMg[CO3]2), and sometimes both (Wikipedia). Different methods are used to make different kinds of Limestone. The majority of limestones are mined from open quarries. However, in some areas, environmental and economical inferences are considered to support large-scale production by surface and underground mining. 

 The limestones are made in two ways. These can form by living organisms and evaporation. On the other hand, limestones are also made when water comprising calcium carbonate particles evaporate, which leaves behind the sediment coat. According to scientific studies, the destruction of forest cover, exhaustion of natural flora and fauna, polluted air, water, & soil, depletion of soil, loss in biodiversity, variations in landscape, the mutability of rock masses, and degradation of agricultural land are some of the prominent environmental inferences concerning the mining of the Limestone.

What Are the Different Processes Used for Limestone Mining?

Surface Limestone Mining

There are multiple primary factors used for surface mining. These are blasting, drilling, overburden extraction, and drawing ore to the compressing and processing plant. The assortment of surface mining equipment diversifies with the distinct specifications at specific operations, including production quantity needed, volume and form of the sediment, draw distances, expected life of the procedure, and other economic and social factors. Other than these factors, it is important to consider the utility of the products produced, the area of competitive developments, and environmental and safety conditions concerning the specific sediment.

For decades, the method of drilling and blasting was used to extract the Limestone. After that, it used to be wet-processed into clinker in the concrete plant. But this process used to be extremely expensive. So now the dry mining process is preferred for the production of the clinker as it minimizes the consumption of the fuel per ton of material. This has made an immense impact on the environment and the cost of production.

Underground Limestone Mining

For underground mining, the operations such as blasting, hauling, loading, drilling, and scaling & roof bolting. This makes use of drilling equipment like down-hole track drills and horizontal drills. They are usually different from the ones used in surface mining. This results in smaller blast holes and a more profound amount of rock is composed with every blast. The underground mine also uses powder loaders to fill ammonium nitrate–fuel oil mixtures within those holes.

Ascending rigs are used for the removal of loose rocks from the roof and ribs of the mine with the roof-bolting equipment are also needed for the underground mine. The underground limestone mines are room-and-pillar-kind methods and extract rock from both benches and headings. These limestone mines have numerous benches and an overall height of mine is up to 30m. On the other hand, the thickness of the sediment being excavated is majorly regulated by the width of the rock and the conditions of the relevant roof.

 With the help of a V-type drill pattern, the amount of rock composed with each shot can be maximized to decrease the volume of unbroken rock on the blast surface. It uses roof scaling for safety measures.

 So, this is all you need to know about the process of limestone mining. Are you seeking more of this? Here is what we have for you!

Get in Touch with Leading Manufacturing Partners of Raw Materials in India

GHCL is the prominent name among the Largest Soda Ash Manufacturers in India. We are known for extracting and distributing top-quality raw materials to multiple industries. Explore more about us at https://www.ghcl.co.in/.