Mining is a high-stakes, high-risk industry, from occupational hazards to environmental concerns and geological impacts. It is also a highly profitable and absolutely necessary part of the global economy: In the United States alone, the total mineral production value was $74 billion in 2011. The industry has been relatively stable in recent years but has also seen fluctuations in demand and material value. To keep up with a sometimes unpredictable market and to prevent complacency, the methods and processes of mineral mining have started to shift to include more advanced technologies, refined tools and a broader awareness of the environmental factors of mining.
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