Unit 7 Mining and Industrial areas

1. Mining resources in the world Mineral resources are raw materials on the Earth´s crust that have a mineral or vegetable origin and are extract to be used in the secondary sector.. OJO, be careful because although they are part of the primary sector, they are very important to the secondary sector because they provide the sources of energy that industries and factories need. https Film Powaqqatsi by Godfrey Reggio. Mine scene

Industrial minerals and rocks They can be clasified in two groups: Industrial ROCKS. We can also divide this group into: Energy rocks or fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) are used to produce energy. But, How were they form? Here you have another explanation. OJO Useful rocks are used in construction (limestone, marble, gypsum, clay, salt) Precious stones used in jewellety (diamond, emerald, ruby or sapphire) and semi- precious such as amber, opal, turquoise or jade) Minerals can be classified as: Useful minerals like iron, copper or lead. We can make tools or machines Precious minerals such as gold, silver and platinum. Strategic minerals as uranium, coltan and cobalt. For more information about fossil fuels, click here

Mining areas in the world We can find minerals all around the world, but there are countries richer than others in raw materials.

Coal is found in the basin next to the mountain ranges that were formed 300 millons years ago Where can you find coal?

Oil resources around the world How much oil is left on Earht?

Las Médulas (León) Río Tínto (Huelva) Although Europe is a continent rich in minerals, today some regions that used to be important producers has dried up the production because these minerals have been exploited since Roman Times. A good example is Spain.

Mining production and its environmental effects Frame of Germinal, E. Zola Mining consists of extracting mineral resources on the surface of the land (open pit mining) or underground (mine site or mine shaft) Open pits in Utah and Canada

Mines can cause some problems: Changes to the land (on the surface, there are scars that transform the landscape, and underground with a new system called fracking) What is fracking? (scientist opinion) What is fracking? (Oil company opinion) What do you think about these issues?

Pollution and destruction of natural space Fracking in Colorado Oil Spill Pollution and destruction of natural space The ground, rivers and aquifers are polluted by the waste products af harmful chemicals that are used to extract the minerals. Bad effects on vegatation, wildlife and the people. Aznalcollar mine, 1998. Huelva, Spain

Homework Activities 1 and 2 of page 47 Search information about the accident in Aznalcollar mine. Activity 6 page 47