Using Mineral Resources

Uses of minerals Gemstones – valued because they are rare Gemstones – valued because they are rare and beautiful - used for mechanical parts and grinding - used for mechanical parts and grinding

Ores – minerals that contain useful substances that can be mined at a profit Ores – minerals that contain useful substances that can be mined at a profit * Bauxite – source of aluminum * Chalcocite – source of copper * Chalcocite – source of copper * Cinnabar – source of mercury

Other uses include: Other uses include: Materials for food MedicineFertilizer Building materials

Producing Metals From Minerals Prospecting – searching for ore Prospecting – searching for ore Mining – removing ore from the ground Mining – removing ore from the ground Strip mining – machines scrape away soil to expose ore

Producing Metals From Minerals Open pit mining – machines dig an enormous pit to remove ore

Producing Metals From Minerals Shaft mines – miners dig shafts and tunnels to remove ores from veins

Producing Metals From Minerals Smelting – process that separates metal Smelting – process that separates metal from ore from ore

Producing Metals From Minerals Further processing includes: Further processing includes: *removing impurities *creating alloys to make materials with special properties with special properties Video: coal mining