| | For some perspective on just how close to the surface most mining is done here is a wiki piece that describes the current records for depth for varying types of mines.
Records[ edit]
See also: Extremes on Earth § Subterranean
Chuquicamata, Chile, site of the largest circumference and second deepest open pit copper mine in the world.
As of 2008, the deepest mine in the world is TauTona in Carletonville, South Africa at 3.9 kilometres (2.4 mi), [69] replacing the neighboring Savuka Mine in the North West Province of South Africa at 3,774 metres (12,382 ft). [70] East Rand Mine in Boksburg, South Africa briefly held the record at 3,585 metres (11,762 ft), and the first mine declared the deepest in the world was also TauTona when it was at 3,581 metres (11,749 ft).
The Moab Khutsong gold mine in North West Province (South Africa) has the world's longest winding steel wire rope, able to lower workers to 3,054 metres (10,020 ft) in one uninterrupted four-minute journey. [71]
The deepest mine in Europe is the 16th shaft of the uranium mines in Príbram, Czech Republic at 1,838 metres (6,030 ft), [72] second is Bergwerk Saar in Saarland, Germany at 1,750 metres (5,740 ft).
The deepest open-pit mine in the world is Bingham Canyon Mine in Bingham Canyon, Utah, United States at over 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). The largest and second deepest open-pit copper mine in the world is Chuquicamata in Chuquicamata, Chile at 900 metres (3,000 ft), 940,600 tons of copper and 17,700 tons of molybdenum produced annually.[ citation needed]
The deepest open-pit mine with respect to sea level is Tagebau Hambach in Germany, where the base of the pit is 293 metres (961 ft) below sea level.
The largest underground mine is Kiirunavaara Mine in Kiruna, Sweden. With 450 kilometres (280 mi) of roads, 40 million tonnes of ore produced yearly, and a depth of 1,270 metres (4,170 ft), it is also one of the most modern underground mines. The deepest borehole in the world is Kola Superdeep Borehole at 12,262 metres (40,230 ft). This, however, is not a matter of mining but rather related to scientific drilling. |
|
