Mining and Mineral Resources SEV4. Students will understand and describe availability, allocation and conservation of energy and other resources

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) Single element - native mineral gold (Au) silver (Ag) copper (Cu) 2 or more elements - compound quartz – silica (silicon and oxygen)

The breakdown Ore minerals Gangue have economic value profit must exceed cost of extraction and refining Gangue no economic value must be removed

Metal? Metallic minerals Nonmetallic 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? 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 resources Thin metals Durable, resist corrosion Conduct heat and electricity Alloys Gypsum (used in wallboard) Gemstones Diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz

Answer these questions. On page 444, answer questions 1 – 5. Answer in complete sentences. You will need to read.

Mineral 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 mining 50 m or more underground Room and pillar mining Longwall mining Solution mining

Longwall Mining Shearer moves along a wall Coal falls onto conveyer belt

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

Surface mining Open pit mining (coal, copper) Surface coal mining topsoil set aside overburden removed exposed coal removed fill in with overburden return topsil

Surface mining (cont’d) 2. Quarrying granite marble sand gravel crushed rock (aggregates)

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 mining Placer deposits – valuable mineral concentrated by wind or water Dredge Floating barge Keeps valuable ore minerals Leaves processed sediments

Smelting Crushed ore is melted at high temps Separates impurities (flux) flux + impurities = slag Sulfur dioxide captured

Undersea mining Largely unsuccessful Expensive Dangerous

Answer these questions. On page 450, answer questions 1 – 6. Answer in complete sentences. You will need to read.

Regulations and Reclamation Higher Energy Demands = more coal mines Before mining, companies must have a plan to reclaim the land

Environmental Impact Regulations are new

Air 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 Contamination Seepage Sulfur  weak sulfuric acid  dissolves toxic chemicals Acid mine drainage

Displacement of Wildlife Loss of plant life  Animals leave Dredging in aquatic systems Reclamation attempts to make damage temporary Avoid new ecosystems

Sedimentation Rock placed in “dumps” Erodes into rivers and streams

Soil degradation Soil in layers Sulfur in lower layers Exposed to water

Subsidence Build over abandoned mines Ground sinks

Underground mine fires Lightning Forest fires Burning trash Flash fires

Regulations 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 Questions On p. 455 answer #1-5 Answer in complete sentences. You will need to read.