Why do the small and irregular shapes of mercury deposits limit large-scale mechanized mining?

Mercury deposits typically occur as small, irregular formations or thin veinlets rather than large, continuous masses. Because of this fragmented and inconsistent geometry, it is not feasible to implement large-scale, highly mechanized mining methods—such as the block caving techniques used for massive ore bodies—which require large, uniform deposits to operate efficiently.12

Instead, the recovery of mercury ore necessitates more selective, labor-intensive approaches, primarily underground mining. This process typically involves conventional drilling and blasting, followed by mechanical loading or scraping into ore cars. The lack of size and continuity in these deposits prevents the economies of scale that would otherwise justify the use of the massive, high-productivity equipment found in open-pit or large-scale underground operations.13