Introduction to the Mineral Exploration Activity

Do Now!Minerals & Mineral ResourcesWhat is a mineral?How are mineral resources

obtained? What is the importance of

minerals? What are some of their uses?

Write down your thoughts in your journal. Be ready to share your answers

• A naturally occurring, inorganic solid

• Atoms arranged in an orderly arrangement

• Elements or compounds• Fixed chemical formula• Characteristic physical

properties

What is a mineral?

SiO2 Quartz

The Formation of Mineral Deposits

Geological and biological processes selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.

• The Rock Cycle

• Plate Tectonics

• Biological Processes

The Formation of Mineral DepositsGeological and biological processes selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.

The Rock Cycle

• The ongoing process of rock formation & breakdown.

• 3 types of rocko Igneouso Sedimentaryo Metamorphic

The Formation of Mineral DepositsGeological and biological processes selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.

Plate Tectonics

• Responsible for the formation of some mineral deposits

• Metallic ores are deposited in the crust at divergent and convergent plate boundaries

The Formation of Mineral DepositsGeological and biological processes selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.

Biological Processes• Organisms can form many kinds

of mineralso Minerals of biological origin

contribute significantly to sedimentary deposits.

o 31 different biologically produced minerals identified, some of which cannot be formed inorganically in the biosphere.

o Ex. Ca in shells and bones.

The Distribution of Mineral Deposits• During the formation of the Earth, gravitational attraction of

matter, increase in mass, & heating caused heavier metals (Fe, Ni) to sink to the center.

• Therefore, the crust consists of generally lighter elements. • Elements in the crust are not uniformly distributed because of

geologic processes and some biological processes that selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit elements and minerals.

• The result of geologic activity (over geologic time) concentrating minerals in high amounts produced ore deposits, which humans have exploited.

• Mineral deposits are nonrenewable resources from our geologic past.

The Distribution of Mineral Deposits

Earth’s Crust– Primarily rock of silica and oxygen (silicates)– 8 elements account for ~99% of the crust by weight– O2, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K

Oceans– Cover 2/3 of Earth’s surface, and is a reservoir for many

elements and compounds (cycles unit).– Most are weathered from crustal rocks and carried to the

oceans by rivers; some by wind or glaciers (cycles unit).– Concentrations of most minerals, except Salt and Mg, are

low and so are not economical to extract.

What is mining? *Process of extracting minerals from the Earth.

Why is it necessary? *Everything we use/purchase is made from minerals & they have important functions in human health. *Modern society depends on minerals and availability of mineral resources is a measure of the wealth of a society.

Mining and the Significance of Mineral Resources

Mineral Exploration ActivityIn assigned groups of 3-4 you will rotate to each lab table and observe the minerals at each station. • Fill in the handout as you travel to each station.

– You may carefully touch/handle all except one- Realgar, which is in the 4th group of minerals. It is clearly identified and in a Ziplock baggie inside a plastic container- it needs to remain this way.

– Add Aluminum (Al) and (C) to the 1st group of minerals.– Add Pyrite (FeS2) to the 4th group of minerals.– Note the appearance of the “unknown” Actinolite, the last mineral, compared

to the crystalline appearance of the other minerals observed. What chemical group would you place it in?

– Talk with your lab partners- Look at the chemical the composition of each group of minerals. Discuss why are they grouped this way and what you think each of the minerals is used for. Your lab handout must be filled in!

• Return each station to its original condition before rotating.• After viewing all stations, return to your seats for class discussion.

Minerals and their uses

Ore minerals- minerals that are valuable and economical to extract

•Gangue minerals- minerals that have no commercial value

Classification of Minerals Based on Commercial Value:

•Resource- minerals concentrated in a form that we can extract to obtain something that can be bought and sold. Can be extracted economically. Exploited.

•Reserve- portion of a resource whose location and amount are known and which can be legally and economically extracted at the time of evaluation. Potential.

*Note: Resources are NOT reserves. Estimating future resources (reserves) is important for planning purposes.

Resource versus Reserve:

Use & Availability of Mineral Resources

• In addition to commercial or economic value, minerals can be classified by use and availability.

• Nonmetal minerals are the most widely used. • The Earth’s geologic history as well as the cost of mining

determines availability. • Solutions to limited mineral supplies include: – Finding new sources– Recycling & reusing what has already been obtained– Reducing consumption– Finding a substitute

Mineral Consumption in the US

• A mineral resource can be used in 3 ways

• Increase population & standard of living increases consumption

• The US exceeds its own supplies of many minerals

• A lot of what we throw away is still useful

Minimizing EnvironmentalImpacts of Mineral Development

• Generation of waste is a major issue• Minimizing environmental effects of mineral

development:– Regulate the environment at the federal, state,

and local levels– On-site and off-site treatment of waste– Reduce, reuse, recycle