What is the Difference Between Quarrying and Mining?

What is the Difference Between Quarrying and Mining?

You may have heard the terms quarrying and mining used interchangeably, but these two operations are quite different from each other. Both refer to extraction sites, but the materials extracted, and the methods used, are the key points to focus on when pondering what is the difference between quarrying and mining.

When considering quarrying vs mining, it is important to note that they are two different industries, each generating separate resources while employing thousands of jobs. Both play a vital role in supporting the economy and achieve this through access to specialised machinery purposely built for these operations, such as the ones here at CMQ Engineering.

As highly regarded mineral processing equipment manufacturers, we’re here for all your custom machinery needs. Give us a call on 07 3879 3288 or reach out through our contact form to get started.

What is Quarrying?

If you’ve found yourself wondering what is quarrying, then allow us to explain. Quarrying is the open-pit excavation of stone, gravel, sand, and other materials that are gathered from the surface of the earth. When comparing quarrying vs mining, quarries are usually shallower than mines, taking place near the surface rather than deep into the earth.

When discussing what is the difference between quarrying and mining, it is important to consider what each operation’s resources are used for. What is quarrying responsible for? Roads, houses, schools, and hospitals are only some of the structures that are built using the aggregate materials gained through quarrying.

What is Mining?

A key difference in the quarrying vs mining debate is that mining often takes place deeper into the earth, with operations typically being more extensive. This is so valuable materials and substances such as minerals, metals, and coals can be plundered, as they reside far deeper than the average quarrying operation can reach.

Another factor when considering what is the difference between quarrying and mining is that mines often feature hazardous tunnels and shafts that must be created and navigated using specialised equipment. The materials gained from mining are used in construction, manufacturing, and the production of fuel and energy.

Quarrying vs Mining: The Final Word

In the end, both quarrying and mining both serve similar purposes to help support infrastructure and the economy. There are still things to consider when examining what is the difference between quarrying and mining, such as the size of the site and the materials needed to be extracted. Countless industries rely on these operations and the resources they produce, while both require reliable heavy machinery and equipment to deliver the best results.

At CMQ Engineering, we specialise in the drafting, construction, and installation of this equipment, and custom design our machinery to support your exact needs. We support the mining, quarrying, and concreting sectors, and are backed by decades of industry knowledge and experience. Whether you require our engineering services or would like to learn more about what is quarrying and if it is right for your operations, reach out to our friendly team.

Contact Us Today!

Here at CMQ Engineering, we don’t concern ourselves with what is the difference between quarrying and mining as we supply both industries with high-quality, customisable industrial mining equipment. As innovators in our industry, we are constantly evolving how we design and create machinery to provide you with cutting-edge products and services. If you have any purchasing enquiries, please access our contact form, or give us a call on 07 3879 3288.