Mining and Mineral Mining and Mineral ResourcesResources

SEV4. Students will understand and SEV4. Students will understand and describe availability, allocation and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other conservation of energy and other

resourcesresources

What is a mineral?What is a mineral?

• All minerals– are naturally occurring– are usually inorganic solids– have a defined chemical composition– have an orderly internal structure– have a defined set of physical properties

What is a mineral? (cont’d) What is a mineral? (cont’d)

• Single element - native mineral– gold (Au)– silver (Ag)– copper (Cu)

• 2 or more elements - compound – quartz – silica (silicon and oxygen)

The breakdownThe breakdown

• Ore minerals – have economic value– profit must exceed cost of extraction and

refining

• Gangue– no economic value– must be removed

Metal?Metal?

• Metallic minerals– conduct electricity– shiny– opaque (no light passes through)

• Nonmetallic minerals– good insulators– shiny or dull– may allow light through

How do ore minerals form?How do ore minerals form?

• Cooling from magma

• Hydrothermal solutions– Dissolve minerals– Form veins

• Evaporites– Rivers and streams carry salts– Left behind when they evaporate– Occur in arid regions

Uses of mineral resourcesUses of mineral resources

• Thin metals

• Durable, resist corrosion

• Conduct heat and electricity

• Alloys

• Gypsum (used in wallboard)

• Gemstones – Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz

Answer these questions.Answer these questions.

• On page 444, answer questions 1 – 5.

• Answer in complete sentences.

• You will need to read.

Mineral explorationMineral exploration

• Deposits have 100x to 1,000x the normal concentration of minerals

• Planes observe– Gravity– Density– Radioactivity

• Grade ore content (Is it worth it?)

Subsurface miningSubsurface mining

50 m or more underground1. Room and pillar mining

2. Longwall mining

3. Solution mining

Longwall MiningLongwall Mining

• Shearer moves along a wall

• Coal falls onto conveyer belt

Solution MiningSolution Mining

• Soluble ores (potash, salt, sulfur)– Hot water dissolves ore– Air is bubbled through solution– Bubbles lift ore to surface

Surface miningSurface mining

• Open pit mining (coal, copper)1. Surface coal mining

• topsoil set aside• overburden removed• exposed coal removed• fill in with overburden• return topsil

Surface mining (cont’d)Surface mining (cont’d)

2. Quarrying• granite• marble• sand• gravel• crushed rock (aggregates)

Surface mining (cont’d)Surface mining (cont’d)

3. Solar Evaporation– Salt water in enormous, shallow ponds– Water evaporates, leaving salt crystals (halite)

behind– Used in areas with little rainfall– 30% of earth’s salt

Placer miningPlacer mining

• Placer deposits – valuable mineral concentrated by wind or water

• Dredge– Floating barge– Keeps valuable ore minerals– Leaves processed sediments

SmeltingSmelting

• Crushed ore is melted at high temps

• Separates impurities (flux)

• flux + impurities = slag

• Sulfur dioxide captured

Undersea miningUndersea mining

• Largely unsuccessful

• Expensive

• Dangerous

Answer these questions.Answer these questions.

• On page 450, answer questions 1 – 6.

• Answer in complete sentences.

• You will need to read.

Regulations and ReclamationRegulations and Reclamation

• Higher Energy Demands = more coal mines

• Before mining, companies must have a plan to reclaim the land

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

• Regulations are new

Air and Noise PollutionAir and Noise Pollution

• Dust – moving soil, winds, blasting ore

• Noise – equipment, blasting

• Noise and dust can’t exit mining area in USA

• Rural areas

Water ContaminationWater Contamination

• Seepage

• Sulfur weak sulfuric acid dissolves toxic chemicals

• Acid mine drainage

Displacement of WildlifeDisplacement of Wildlife

• Loss of plant life Animals leave

• Dredging in aquatic systems – Reclamation attempts to make damage

temporary– Avoid new ecosystems

SedimentationSedimentation

• Rock placed in “dumps”

• Erodes into rivers and streams

Soil degradationSoil degradation

• Soil in layers

• Sulfur in lower layers

• Exposed to water

SubsidenceSubsidence

• Build over abandoned mines

• Ground sinks

Underground mine firesUnderground mine fires

• Lightning

• Forest fires

• Burning trash

• Flash fires

RegulationsRegulations

• Clean Water Act

• Safe Drinking Water Act

• Comprehensive Response & Liability Act

• Endangered Species Act

• Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act– Return land to original condition

Answer These QuestionsAnswer These Questions

• On p. 455 answer #1-5

• Answer in complete sentences.

• You will need to read.