Minerals: A Nonrenewable Resource Chapter 16

Introduction to Minerals Concrete – sand, gravel, crushed limestone Salt Copper

Introduction to Minerals Mineral Distribution and Formation Some minerals very abundant (e.g., Al, Fe) Some are very scarce (e.g., Cu, Mo) Some may be found about anywhere, but in such low abundance mining is unprofitable

Introduction to Minerals Mineral Distribution and Formation Formation of Mineral Deposits Magmatic concentration Hydrothermal processes Sedimentation Evaporation

Introduction to Minerals How Minerals are Found, Extracted, and Processed Discovering Mineral Deposits –aerial photos / satellite images –examine magnetic field –seismographs

Introduction to Minerals How Minerals are Found, Extracted, and Processed Discovering Mineral Deposits Extracting Minerals

Introduction to Minerals How Minerals are Found, Extracted, and Processed Discovering Mineral Deposits Extracting Minerals Processing Minerals

Environmental Implications of Minerals Mining and the Environment Disturbs large areas of land Uses huge quantities of water Affects water quality Cost-benefit Analysis of Mine Development Benefits of the mining vs. Preservation of the land

Environmental Implications of Minerals Environmental Impacts of Refining Minerals

Environmental Implications of Minerals Environmental Impacts of Refining Minerals The problem of tailings

Environmental Implications of Minerals Environmental Impacts of Refining Minerals Case-in-Point: Copper Basin, TN

Environmental Implications of Minerals Restoration of Mining Lands Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

Environmental Implications of Minerals Restoration of Mining Lands Creative Approaches to Cleaning Up Mining Areas Conversion to wetlands Phytoremediation

Minerals: An International Perspective Many developed nations have observed significant environmental damage due to mining Many developed nations exacerbate problem by having mining interests in developing countries

Minerals: An International Perspective U.S. and World Use North American consumption of selected metals

Minerals: An International Perspective Distribution Versus Consumption Some minerals needed for many industrial processes but only found in abundance in few places Results in dependence Stockpiling common

Minerals: An International Perspective Will We Run Out of Important Minerals?

Increasing the Supply of Minerals Locating and Mining New Deposits Many known deposits haven’t been exploited because: accessibility problems technology issues too deep

Increasing the Supply of Minerals Minerals in Antarctica Antartic Treaty (1961) limits activities in Antarctica If significant mineral deposits were found, should they be exploited?

Increasing the Supply of Minerals Minerals from the Ocean Manganese nodules

Increasing the Supply of Minerals Minerals from the Ocean

Increasing the Supply of Minerals Advanced Mining and Processing Technologies Ability to exploit low-grade ores Biomining

Using Substitution and Conservation to Expand Mineral Supplies Finding Mineral Substitutes Substituting inexpensive / abundant resources for expensive / scarce resources E.g., Glass, plastics, and aluminum have substituted for tin

Using Substitution and Conservation to Expand Mineral Supplies Mineral Conservation Reuse same product used over and over Recycling product is processed into another product Changing Our Mineral Requirements fight the “throw away” mentality