Chapter 15: Minerals and Environment Holden mine (near Lake Chelan in Washington), an old copper and gold mine Big Question: Is It Possible To Use Nonrenewable Resources Sustainably?

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Case Study Newport Golf Club near Seattle, similar to the Fossil Trace Golf Club described on page 319 in your textbook. NewCastle Golf Club, built on former coal mine and landfill area. See

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington The Importance of Minerals to Society Some uses for minerals in a typical American home.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Formation of Mineral Deposits High concentrations of Earth materials form ore deposits. The origin and distribution of mineral resources are related to the history of the biosphere and the geologic cycle.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Distribution of Mineral Resources Earth’s crust is silica-rich. The oceans have low concentrations of many minerals. Mined minerals occur in unusually high concentrations.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Plate Boundaries Some mineral deposits are formed by plate tectonics. At divergent plate boundaries, heated water rises through fractured rocks and leaches metals from them, forming metal sulfides. At convergent plate boundaries, a combination of heat, pressure, and partial melting mobilizes metals in molten rocks.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Igneous Processes Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro, Arkansas, the only active US diamond mine and open to the public

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Sedimentary Processes The Buckhorn Gold Mine in northern Okanogan County is one of the few currently active in Washington state.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Biological Processes Some mineral deposits are formed or altered by biological processes. The major iron ore deposits are in sedimentary rocks Organisms form many kinds of mineral deposits, such as the calcium in shells and bones.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Weathering Processes Weathered insoluble ore deposits may accumulate in the soil unless removed by erosion. Weathering can improve low-grade ore by secondary enrichment.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Resources and Reserves

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Use and Availability of Mineral Resources Minerals are also classified by use and abundance. The most- used minerals are not metals.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Mineral Consumption A mineral resource can be used in three ways: Rapid consumption Consumption with conservation Consumption and conservation with recycling

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington U.S. Supply of Minerals U.S. use exceeds its own supplies of many minerals. Importing may be more practical than mining.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Impacts of Mineral Development Bingham Canyon Cooper Pit, Utah

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Social Impacts Large-scale mining brings a rapid influx of workers. Adverse social impacts occur when mines close down. Greater environmental regulation of the industry equal greater costs. Wars are often funded by minerals.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Minimizing Waste 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.

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Minimizing Environmental Impacts of Mineral Development

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Recycling UW recycling video:

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington Minerals and Sustainability Simultaneously exploiting and sustaining mineral resources is problematic. Human ingenuity is important. How long does it take to develop new approaches?

Chapter 15: Minerals and Environment Holden mine (near Lake Chelan in Washington), an old copper and gold mine Questions? your TA.