![]() The 80% heavy mineral concentrate is pumped to a stockpile area before being transported to a plant for further processing. ![]() Spiral centrifuges concentrate and separate the heavy mineral sands from the lighter clays and quartz sand. Vibrating screens remove roots and other large objects. The dredge draws in overburden, ore and water from one end of the pond and transfers the mixture to a floating wet mill. Suction Dredging: An electrically powered suction dredge floats within a 15- to 20-acre man-made pond. Two mining methods are used: suction dredging and auxiliary mining. Within the ore body, less than 5% of the grains may be heavy minerals. Heavy minerals occur as sand grains mixed with lighter clays and quartz sand grains. After mining is complete, the topsoil and overburden may be used in reclamation for slopes and revegetation. The overburden may be used to contain sediment and stormwater within the mine. The topsoil is stockpiled for use during reclamation. The overburden (earthen material that will not be sold) is removed and stockpiled along the edge of the mining area. Prior to mining, the trees may be harvested and the land is cleared. The mine boundaries can be seen through Map Direct. Currently, the industry operates in Baker, Bradford, Clay and Duval counties. At one time, heavy minerals were mined from several locations along the east coast of Florida from Boulogne to Vero Beach. Heavy mineral mining began in Florida in 1916 at Mineral City (now Ponte Vedra Beach). Where are the heavy mineral mines in Florida? Zircon is marketed to the ceramics industry. These pigments are often used in the manufacture of paint, varnish and lacquers, plastics and paper. In Florida, heavy minerals are defined by Section 378.403(7), F.S. These are minerals found in sand deposits that have a specific gravity not less than 2.8. This includes zircon, staurolite and the titanium minerals (ilmenite, leucoxene and rutile). Ilmenite and rutile are primary source materials used to manufacture titanium dioxide pigments. Permits or authorizations from other local, state or federal agencies may also be required prior to mining.Florida utilizes a joint application for ERP and 404 for more information regarding the 404 permitting program, please see the State 404 Program page, Chapter 62-331, F.A.C. and the 404 Applicant's Handbook.For mining activities that involve dredging or filling in state-assumed waters, a state of Florida 404 (dredge and fill) permit would also be required. The state of Florida 404 program is a federally-delegated program under the Clean Water Act. Environmental resource permitting standards are detailed in Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S., and Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. ![]() Reclamation standards for heavy minerals mining are detailed in Part II of Chapter 211, Part III of Chapter 378, Florida Statutes (F.S.), and Chapter 62C-37, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).Īn Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is also required for heavy minerals mining projects. The Mining and Mitigation Program administers reclamation, environmental resource/stormwater management, and federally-delegated dredge and fill (404) permit programs for mining operations in Florida, including heavy minerals. There are two active and two inactive heavy minerals mines in Florida. The heavy minerals mines are between approximately 5,000 and 10,000 acres in size.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |