MINING 101 Grade Level(s): 5-12

MINING 101 Grade Level(s): 5-12
Estimated days needed to teach: 2-3 days The presentation has three sections. Each could be covered in a class period. By utilizing the extension activities and related MEC resources, the possibilities are endless! Standards/Benchmarks Science 5-12.A (Science as Inquiry) Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry Science 5-12.B (Physical Science) Properties of objects and materials Properties and changes of properties in matter Science 5-12.D (Earth & Space Science) Properties of Earth materials Science 5-12.E (Science & Technology) Abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans Abilities of technological design Understanding about science and technology Science 5-12.F (Science in Personal & Social Perspectives) Personal health Types of resources Populations, resources and environments Environmental Quality Natural and human-induced hazards Science 5-12.G (History & Nature of Science) Science as human endeavor Nature of science Historical perspectives *Teaching notes, activities and links for integrated learning have been provided throughout the presentation.

Mining 101 Estimated days needed to teach Part One: 1 class period Grade Level: 5-12 Students will understand that: Almost everything we need to maintain a healthy and modern lifestyle is dependent upon rocks and minerals. These natural resources are obtained through mining. If it can’t be grown, it must be mined. Vocabulary Rocks Gold Copper Alloy Mineral Salt Clay Iron Natural Resource Zinc Aluminum (Bauxite) Product Lead Nickel Phosphate Rock Lifestyle Calcium Cement Coal Raw Materials Concrete Students will be able to: Create a question, design an investigation, formulate an answer and communicate about the process regarding the natural resources used in a particular product. Create a question, design an investigation, formulate an answer and communicate about the process regarding a particular rock or mineral. Discussion points What are natural resources? We rarely think about the natural resources needed to manufacture products that we use on a daily basis. If you ask a student where his/her bicycle came from, the answer is frequently, “the store.” After this presentation, students will understand that everything around them comes from natural resources. If it can’t be grown, it has to be mined. Part One

Have you used any of these lately?
Move through the following slides allowing students to talk about products they use daily. What do they have in common? What are the differences? Where did these products come from? What is used to make them? After going through the slides you may want to expand the lesson using the Presentation Notes and Related MEC resources found throughout the presentation.

School Bus? Definition Raw Materials - A material or substance used in the primary production or manufacture of a good. Raw materials are usually natural resources such as oil, iron and wood. Before being used in the manufacturing process raw materials often are altered. Raw materials are sometimes referred to as commodities, which are bought and sold on commodities exchanges around the world. Curriculum Connection Economics – commodities exchange Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on the raw materials needed to build a school bus.

Cereal? Curriculum Connections
Biology - photosynthesis, parts of the plant, absorption Health Nutrition Extension Activities Write down the ingredients and nutritional information from a box of cereal. Compare. Are any of these cereals enriched with calcium, iron, zinc, etc.? What other foods do you eat that are enriched with minerals? (bread, rice, orange juice, etc.) What mineral nutrients are essential for human health? Define these terms: macronutrient, micronutrient. Related MEC resources Role of Minerals in Life Processes Vinyl and paper periodic table posters for purchase Elements Comprising the Human Body poster

Bicycle or Skateboard? Definition
Alloy - A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements; an alloy of nickel, bronze, and zinc *Source: Google Free Dictionary Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on the raw materials used in bicycles and skateboards. Discussion Questions Why are alloys used? What is the benefit of using two or more elements? (to increase strength, to decrease corrosive properties, to control cost, etc.)

Car? Curriculum Connections History Basic needs of Man Space
Literature Geology Discussion Questions What would we do for transportation without the rocks and minerals used to manufacture cars, planes, helicopters, metro systems, trains, motorcycles, buses, ships, etc.? Pioneers used horses, carriages, wagons and stagecoaches among other types of transportation. Were any rocks and minerals needed to produce any products related to these forms of transportation? What about medieval times? Were rocks and minerals used to produce anything then? What sort of things? Does the space program need rocks and minerals to make shuttles and other space craft or equipment? Why or why not? Speaking of space, do rocks from the moon or Mars contain any of the same minerals as Earth rocks? Why do you think that information might be important? Astronauts are also scientists. Have any astronauts been geologists? (Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, James Reilly) Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find: videos and information on the raw materials used to build a car. videos and information on how astronauts trained in geology for the moon landing. Related MEC resources Hybrid Car Fact Sheet

Alarm Clock? Curriculum Connection History Material Engineering
Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on The History of Time Keeping. Discussion topic: Quartz Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on how quartz clocks work. Extension Activities What is quartz? Why is quartz used in some clocks and watches? Mohs Hardness Scale Crystalline Structure

Pencil or Computer? Curriculum Connection History
Basic Needs of Man (Communication) Technology Discussion Questions What are pencils made of? They used to be made of lead. What are they made of now? (graphite, clay) What do the numbers on pencils mean? (ratio of graphite to clay; hardness of the graphite) Why do some pencils write darker than others? (amount of graphite determines darkness) Why do pencils have a wood or plastic casing around the graphite? Why not just hold the graphite? (properties of graphite: messy and brittle)

Stove, Microwave, Cupboards, Countertops?
Curriculum Connection Reading Science Social Studies Economics Research Writing Critical Thinking Extension Activities Choose one item in your kitchen (stove, microwave, refrigerator, counter top, coffee maker, etc.). Research the raw materials that are used to manufacture it. Create a timeline showing how many businesses are involved from start to finish to make, deliver and sell this product?

Coins? Curriculum connection Science Math History Economics
Social Studies Links What materials are used to make a penny? Discussion Questions Why has the composition of the US penny been changed over time? (See above link) Discuss: Material cost, WW II, antimicrobial properties Mineral Photos and Information: Copper, Tin, Zinc Videos Copper in Our Electrical World

Video Games? Curriculum connection Careers Art Geometry
Computer Programming Logic Physics Marketing Economics Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on the raw materials and technology behind video games and how to program video games. Activity Idea For those students interested in video games, ask them to create a business plan to make their own. Related MEC resources DVDs and CDs Fact Sheet

Musical Instruments?

Toothbrush and Toothpaste?

Cellphone Related MEC resources
Cellphone Fact Sheet Cellphone MiniLesson

Flatware or Television?
Discussion Questions: Silverware Some flatware is made from steel. Steel is an alloy. What combination of minerals/metals make steel? What makes stainless steel stainless? Why is Superman called the Man of Steel? Why is flatware sometimes called silverware? Discussion Questions: Television Many rocks and minerals compose the raw materials that are used to make a television. How would you spend your time if those rocks and minerals were no longer available to produce televisions? What happens to your old television when you upgrade to a larger one? Can old televisions be recycled? Related MEC resources Television Mini-Lesson

Do the items in the photographs have anything in common?
Activity Record commonalities and differences. Can the commonalities and differences be grouped under specific headings? (For example: The basic needs of man; food, shelter, transportation, communication, defense, etc.)

If you guessed “rocks and minerals,” you are right!
Thousands of things you use every day are made from rocks and minerals. Activity Look around the classroom. Find three things that were made from rocks and minerals. Find three things that were not made from rocks and minerals. Extension Activity Natural fibers in clothing come from plants. The plants were grown in soils made of rocks and minerals. The plants were then harvested with machinery made from rocks and minerals. The machinery used to weave cloth and sew clothing are made from rocks and minerals too. Can you think of something that could be made without rocks & minerals? Related MEC Resources: Coloring Pages: Natural Resources K – 5 Activities/Teaching Ideas 6 – 8 Activities/Teaching Ideas

Mineral Uses The foundation of a building is made from concrete. Sand and gravel operations provide the materials to produce concrete and cement. Wallboard is made from gypsum. Granite and other natural stone make countertops and statues. Your body needs salt, copper and zinc to be healthy. Discussion Questions In your lifetime, how many houses will you live in? How many minerals can you list that are needed to build and furnish a house? How many light switches will you turn on? Each one is wired with copper. Where else do you find copper wiring? Why is copper used for wiring and not another mineral? Think about all the sidewalks you will use, all the roads you will travel, all the parking lots you will need during your lifetime. Do you think the above number of Stone, Sand, Gravel and Cement is accurate? Extension Activities Students choose a particular rock or mineral and report on it. How is this rock or mineral used? Mineral studies can be integrated with lessons on the rock cycle, Mohs hardness scale, crystalline structure, properties of the elements, etc. Related MEC resources Mineral Database Copper in Our Electrical World Video Iron in Our Electrical World Video Elements Comprising the Human Body poster Rock & Mineral Newspaper Activity

That’s a lot of rocks and minerals!
How do you think we get all those rocks and minerals? This is the end of Part One. Initiate discussion about how students think massive amounts of rocks and minerals are obtained from the Earth in order to create so many products. Create a list of student ideas. This will help the students move into Part Two. You can continue to Part Two or you can expand this lesson using some of information provided in the Presentation Notes and Related MEC Resources from the slides you have just viewed.

MINING 101 Estimated days needed to teach Part 2: 1 class period Grade level: 5-12 Students will understand: Definition of a mine. The first phase of mining is called Exploration. The decision of where to mine is determined by location of desired mineral deposits, economic feasibility of opening a mine, and laws. Communities/towns often grow up around mining operations. The mining industry is committed to community involvement. Reclamation and sustainability plans are part of the mining operation long before a mine is opened. Modern mining involves a high degree of knowledge and education. Professions in the mining industry provide excellent pay, stability and travel opportunities. Vocabulary mine exploration geologist mineral deposit Geiger counter core sample geologic map economic feasibility reclaimed environmental study sustainability Part 2

If you said “Mining,” you are right!
Introduction Part 1 ended asking, “How do you think we get all those rocks and minerals?” Review the answers you recorded. Ask students to give their personal definitions or descriptions of mining. Note the students’ perspective of mining. (After completing the presentation, note if the students ideas about mining have changed or remained the same.) Move through the following slides. After going through the slides you may want to expand the lesson using the Presentation Notes and MEC Related resources found throughout the presentation.

A mine is a place where rocks and minerals of value are extracted.
How does this definition differ from the students’?

Government Permits are needed before and during all mining processes
Introduction Question How long do you think the mining process takes? 1 – 5 years?, 6 – 10? The entire process can take more than 50 years! This slide shows the basic process of mining. The time required to find, plan, and build a working mine can take decades. Sometimes, no deposit is even found. Here are just a few of the laws and regulations that mining operations must abide by before, during and after mining. Extension Activity Further research the following: Clean Air Act – permits Clean Water Act – permits Wetlands permits issued by Corps of Engineers Storm water permits National Pollutant Discharge Elimination permits (Individual federal or state issued water discharge permits) Endangered Species Act National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessments Environmental Impact Statements Surface Mining & Reclamation Act – Federal law for activities on Public Lands State reclamation laws for activities on private lands Resource Conservation and Recovery ACT (RCBA) permits for non-hazardous solid waste disposal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (Superfund Law) for cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances Local business licenses State and local zoning permits Federal or state issued mining permits/permits to operate State issued land disturbance permits State or federal bonding requirements – money put up by mining companies to guarantee that disturbed lands will be reclaimed

The first phase of mining is called EXPLORATION.
Definition Exploration is the searching, sampling, mapping, drilling and other work involved in locating new, mineable ore deposits. In the past, exploration was called prospecting, but the days of pick ax and mule are long gone. For many years people were able to find useful mineral resources on the Earth’s surface. Today, most mineral resources are buried deep beneath the Earth’s crust and are difficult to find. Locating new mineral resources takes new exploration techniques. Discussion Questions We learned that the entire mining process can take more than 50 years. How long do you think the exploration phase take? Exploration takes many years and costs millions of dollars. Some mines may take up to 20 years before they can be opened. Many laws and regulations must be followed during this process. All of these must be considered during the exploration phase. Extension Activities Create a timeline of the mining industry in your state. How has the mining industry changed over time? How important is the mining industry to the economy of your state? How important is the mining industry to today’s lifestyle?

What happens during exploration?
Definition Explore to examine or investigate, especially systematically 2. to travel to or into (unfamiliar or unknown regions), especially for organized scientific purposes Extension Activity Ask the students to further define the terms ‘explore’ and ‘exploration’. Discuss why geologists and other scientists explore. What are they looking for?

Satellites, airplanes or helicopters are made from a wide variety of rocks and minerals. They are used to help locate substantial mineral deposits. Discussion Question How can something so high in the air locate minerals located deep in the Earth? High tech equipment is used including advanced gravity and magnetic measuring equipment (gravimeters), photogrametric digital cameras and imaging sensors among others. Of course, this equipment is also made from the very rocks and minerals they help scientists discover. Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on satellites, airplanes and helicopters being used to help find mineral deposits. Satellites, airplanes and helicopters can be used to help find mineral deposits.

A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth and it’s processes.
Definition Geologist - A scientist who studies the origin, history, structure and composition of the Earth and it’s processes. Geologists explore and survey land and rock formations in search of mineral deposits. mineral deposits – Aggregate of a mineral in an unusually high concentration. Activity Ask the students to write a definition for mineral deposits in their own words.

Radioactive minerals like uranium may be found with a Geiger counter.
Geologists use many tools. Some are as simple as a pick ax while others are very high-tech. One of the tools they use is the Geiger counter. The Geiger counter was developed in 1909 by Hans Geiger with Walther Müller. The Geiger counter is a type of particle detector that measures ionizing radiation. It is only useful in finding radioactive materials like uranium. Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on Hans Geiger and the Geiger counter. Related MEC resources Minerals Database - Uranium

If an area looks promising, a drill is moved to the site.

The drill goes deep into the Earth’s crust removing long cylinders of rock called cores.
A core sample is a piece of rock, soil, or ice that is carved, or cut, from the ground using a piece of equipment that works a lot like an apple-corer. If you have ever scooped the core out of an apple you would get an idea of how a core sample is cut. The reason scientists cut core samples is to get a piece from the interior, or underlying, layers of rock/ice/soil and look at the parts they couldn't otherwise see. By studying core samples scientists can get clues about events that happened in the past at the time the rock/soil/ice was being formed. Core samples are organized according to the area and depth where they were drilled. This information is useful in creating geologic maps, determining the presence/grade/depth of desired rocks and minerals and whether or not it is economically feasible to open a mine in the area. Hands-on Activity Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on Layer Cake Core Drilling activity. Related MEC resources For more details on responsibilities of geologists, visit

Geologic maps are created.
A geologic map is a map upon which geologic information is plotted. The distribution of the formations is shown by means of symbols, patterns, or colors. Deposits at or near the Earth’s surface may or may not be mapped separately. Folds, faults, mineral deposits, etc., are indicated by appropriate symbols.

What about the environment?
How will a mine affect the environment? Mining inevitably disturbs land. Modern mines reclaim the surface during and after mining is completed, returning the land to useful purposes. A complete plan for reclamation needs to be submitted at local, state and federal levels. The plan must be approved before a mine ever opens. Reclaimed mine lands are often more attractive to wildlife and human uses than before mining started. Related MEC resources

Before a mine can be opened, a complete environmental study is done so the land can be rehabilitated during and after mining. More about this in Part Three.

Environmental protection throughout the mining process
Review Government permits are needed throughout all steps of the mining process to ensure that the environment is protected. Exploration Feasibility Studies Development & Construction Production

What about people? What about people?
Historically towns have grown up around a mine. As people came for jobs, they brought families. Businesses and services grew to provide for the needs of the population and towns became established. Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos and information on how mining helped settle the West in the United States.

Mining provides resources to remote locations:
Mining Towns Ketchikan, Alaska Mining provides resources to remote locations: New deposits are sometimes discovered in locations so remote that roads need to be built. Towns may need to be created to provide housing, schools, medical care, grocery stores, churches, libraries and many other businesses that mine employees will need to raise their families. Mining companies are actively involved in these activities. Working relationships are developed where communities are already established. Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) Research the beginnings of cities or towns in your state. What drew people to settle in these locations? Transportation Education Housing Jobs

For Example Battle Mountain Trades Program Newmont Mining Corporation High school students learned building and selling skills. The modern mining industry is known for community support whether the community is located in the United States or another country. Scholarship programs, job training, hospitals, health and literacy programs have been established or assisted by the mining industry all over the world. This slide shows an example of that involvement at a local high school in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Newmont Mining Corporation is very involved in all the communities where it operates. For example, the Battle Mountain Trades Program. Newmont Mining Corporation bought a parcel of land and provided building materials. High school students learned building and selling skills. Sale profits from the house renewed the program for the following year. For more information, visit their website at to learn more. Link checked July 2014

An African Project AngloGold Ashanti Create medical programs improving the quality of health for people living in areas near their mining operations. Community involvement extends to mining communities outside of the United States. Culture and traditions of the local people influence how the mine is developed. Partnerships are developed with government and community leaders. Schools, medical clinics, vocational programs, literacy and other programs are developed where needed. Homes may be built according to the wishes and needs of local people. Roads are built or improved. Companies purchase local products. Companies train and hire local people who are interested in working at the mine. Scholarships are offered to those individuals who want to advance into careers in engineering and the sciences. This slide is an example of AngloGold Ashanti’s involvement in Africa. To learn more go to and click on “Case Studies” on the left. (linked checked July 2014) Extension Activities Research other American companies to see what kind of social commitment they demonstrate. This is the last slide in Part Two.

MINING 101 Estimated days needed to teach Part Three: 1-2 class periods Grade Level: 5-12 Students will understand that: There are two basic types of mining. Safety is the primary concern of mining companies. An overview of mining methods and processes There are many well-paying careers in the mining industry. Mining land use in the U.S. Reclamation is an ongoing process in mining. Vocabulary Underground hard rock mining Crushing Solution mining Flotation Surface mining Milling Placer mining Leaching Quarrying Electrowinning Sand and Gravel operations Smelting Extraction Gangue Drilling Blasting Part 3

There are two basic types of Mining.
This slide is the beginning of Part Three. Other Resources For a more comprehensive lessons on mining than the overview provided here go to: You will find a free video and many hands-on activities and lesson plans that include grade level, standards and everything else you will need to incorporate the information.

Underground Mining Definition
Underground mining - various underground mining techniques used to excavate hard minerals (hard rock mining), mainly those containing metals such as gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, nickel and lead, but also involves using the same techniques for excavating ores of gems such as diamonds. In contrast soft rock mining refers to excavation of softer minerals such as salt, coal or tar sands. Underground mining extracts mineral resources lying deep below the Earth’s surface. In this slide you can see an entrance called a portal and tracks where ore is moved out of the mine for processing. The pipes overhead are part of the ventilation system that moves clean air throughout the mine. Solution Mining - In-situ leaching (ISL), also called in-situ recovery (ISR) or solution mining, is a mining process used to recover minerals such as copper and uranium through boreholes drilled into a deposit. The process initially involves drilling holes into the ore deposit. Explosive or hydraulic fracturing may be used to create open pathways in the deposit for solution to penetrate. Leaching solution is pumped into the deposit where it makes contact with the ore. The solution bearing the dissolved ore content is then pumped to the surface and processed. This process allows the extraction of metals and salts from an ore body without the need for conventional mining involving drill-and-blast, open-cut or underground mining. Wikipedia Free Dictionary, July 2014 Related MEC resources Find various mining videos here:

Surface Mining Definition
Surface mining - method of extracting minerals near the surface of the Earth. The three most common types of surface mining are open pit mining, strip mining, and quarrying. Placer mining is also a type of surface mining although it is not listed in this definition. July 2014

Surface Mining Two-story high haul trucks can carry hundreds of tons of ore. Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine Other Resources (This is a comprehensive program on mining that includes standards, lesson plans and hands-on activities.) Link check July 2014

Surface mining Albert Frei & Sons Sand Quarry in Idaho Springs, Colorado Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in Barre, Vermont Aggregates operations, including sand and gravel, are a type of surface mining. The sand and gravel obtained from these operations are used in sidewalks, buildings, roads, bridges, foundations, homes, etc. Definition Quarry - a kind of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are normally utilized for extracting building materials, like dimension stone. Quarries are normally shallower than other kinds of open-pit mines. The type of material extracted from quarries include chalk, clay, granite, gypsum, limestone, marble, slate and sandstone among others. Related MEC resources

Underground Mining Nickel Miners Underground Drill Mine Safety
The mining industry takes safety very seriously. Every shift at the mine starts with a “Safety Share” meeting. These meetings help every employee focus on safety before starting the job. Employees share safety tips and alerts from home and on the job. These tips run the gamut from reminding folks to wear safety glasses while mowing the lawn at home, driving safely through a new construction area, to reminders about maintenance on mining equipment. Every employee is required to attend regular safety classes and become certified in mine safety. Safety gear and equipment must be used at all times. Although rare, mining accidents do happen and are widely reported in the media. Mining can be a dangerous job if safety measures are not followed. Related MEC resources Find various mining videos here:

Underground Mining Longwall coal mining cuts a slice from the long wall. Notice the safety gear that these miners wear everyday. Related MEC resources Find various mining videos here:

Miner Safety All mining companies have extensive safety training. No one can go underground without it. Miners must be certified and demonstrate safety knowledge. Definitions Hard hat – The hard hat will protect Stan’s head from falling objects (rocks, tools, etc.) in the workplace. Light – The light provides improved illumination so Stan can see better in what can be a dark workplace. Safety glasses – Protect Stan’s eyes from dust or any objects that are thrust towards his eyes while performing work. Snug Coveralls – Heavy duty snug coveralls keep the miner warm and help prevent cuts and scratches. Self-rescuer – The self rescuer is a breathing apparatus that supplies Stan with oxygen for up to 1 hour in the case of a mine fire, smoke, smog or any other incident that would deprive him from breathing fresh air. Ankle strap – The ankle strap keeps Stan’s coveralls tight to his legs to avoid loose and floppy clothing that could get caught in moving machinery or cause him to trip and fall. Steel-tipped boots – The steel tip of his work boots protect Stan’s toes from injury due to heavy falling objects. Battery for light – The battery supplies power to Stan’s light for a good 8 to 10 hours. Methane detector – detects dangerous levels of methane gas in the mine and allows the miner to get to a safe place. Methane is a colorless, odorless gas that is very explosive. Methane gas is often encountered in coal mining. Related MEC resources Print mine safety poster here:

is the process of removing mineral resources from the Earth’s crust.
Extraction is the process of removing mineral resources from the Earth’s crust. The following slides show the basic steps in extraction.

Drilling to set charges for a blast.
All mining operations, surface and underground, require blasting to break up rock so that processing can occur. Drilling and blasting professions require specific training, including safety precautions. Good blasters are valued because they are able to eliminate flying rock during an explosion. There are many careers connected to mining. Many require degrees but other needed skills are learned in trade schools and on the job. Related MEC resources This link shows many job descriptions in the mining industry, the classes to take in high school to prepare for them, and what type of education or training is required.

Carefully controlled blasting breaks up the rock.
Blasting is done in well-thought out patterns in order to control the amount of rock and dust being displaced and safety. Blasters are highly trained and well paid. They are employed in the mining industry, tunneling, road construction, home and commercial construction and a number of other industries. Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find videos on blasting. Extension Activities What types of blasting are used to control the size and location of the blast? Related MEC resources Find specific blasting roles here

Blasted ore is hauled to the crusher.
Haul trucks are at least two stories tall and carry hundreds of tons of ore. A built-in ladder is required to access the cab. Drivers are specially trained to operate these vehicles.

Crushers/grinders break up the ore to the size of small pebbles or sand.
Minerals necessary to produce thousands of products are contained within the ore. It is necessary to grind and crush the rock to manageable sizes in order to extract the minerals. Grinders and crushers are huge, heavy-duty pieces of equipment. Many are run by computer operators who keep a close eye on the amount of ore being fed into the machines at one time. You might compare this equipment to blenders and food processors at home. If large chunks of ice are placed in either one, they are broken down into chunks or even slush-sized bits depending on the desired end product.

Processing Minerals are different so many different types of processing are needed to remove them from the rock. Following are just a few processes.

Milling This rock contains gold. Milling is the process of separating the desired mineral from the unwanted rock (called gangue.) See if you can find the specks of gold. Students can see the small gold specks in this photo, however, many rocks containing gold and other ores are completely opaque and the mineral cannot be seen with the naked eye. Extension Activities Search online (Google, Yahoo, etc.) to find “Cookie Mining”. This activity demonstrates how much waste or gangue is left when extracting the desired mineral(s). Much of the gangue will be used during the reclamation process. Related MEC resources

Concentration and Flotation
Some minerals are separated by washing, flotation or magnetic separation. Here a combination of water, chemicals, air and agitation make desired mineral particles float to the top of the bubbles. Extension Activity Materials Wood shavings Gravel Water Clear Jar Process Place one handful of wood shavings in jar. Add one handful of gravel. Add water to fill about 2/3 of jar. Shake. Let settle. What floats to the top? What sinks to the bottom? The gravel represents the waste. The wood shavings represent the minerals that are separated out from the rest.

Smelting Smelting uses high heat and chemicals to remove base metals and impurities from concentrates. Smelting furnaces can reach temperatures above 1064°Celcius. What would that number be in Fharenheit? 1064°Celsius = ° Fahrenheit. Smelting is one of the processes used in metal mining. Some metals can only be purified and separated from the rock through a pyrometallurgical process called smelting. Pyro is the Greek word for fire. Other Resources Link checked July 2014

Leaching Ariel view of a leach pad at a copper mine in Morenci, Arizona. These pads are the size of several football fields. This one is being stacked with crushed ore. The blasted and crushed ore is taken to the leach pad. In the case of this Arizona copper mine, a weak solution of sulfuric acid and water is sprayed or dripped onto the ore from plastic tubing distributed across the pad. As the liquid percolates down through the layers of ore, it gathers copper much like water in a drip coffee maker picks up coffee as it passes through ground coffee beans. However, unlike a coffee filter, the leach pad liner is lined with 2-4 layers of heavy duty plastic that prevents any kind of leaking into the Earth. The resulting solution is a mixture called pregnant leach solution that contains copper, sulfuric acid and water. The solution is collected in plastic holding ponds and pumped to the solution extraction plant. Extension Activities 1. Making Coffee Use a coffee maker to show how water turns into coffee as it “leaches” the coffee from the ground coffee beans. 2. Copper Leaching Activity You will need about ½ - 1 cup crushed chrysocolla. (Chrysocolla is a blue-green stone that contains copper. It can be found at local rock shops. If the owner has broken stones, they will work just fine. If not, get a larger stone, wrap it in an old towel, and crush it with a mallet or hammer.) You will also need a bottle of white vinegar, two clear quart jars, a funnel and a coffee filter. Place the funnel into the first jar. Line it with a coffee filter. Fill the filter with crushed Chrysocolla. Pour the vinegar over the crushed Chrysocolla (ore) until the jar is full. Move the funnel (with the filter and ore) to the second jar. Pour the contents of the first jar over the ore again. Continue pouring back and forth throughout the next two hours. You will see the vinegar turn deeper shades of blue as the process continues. The blue indicates that copper has been leached into the solution. The sulfuric acid used in copper leaching is only slightly stronger than vinegar.

Electrowinning Starter sheets are lowered into a solution. An electrical charge passes through causing copper ions to stick to the sheets. Related MEC resources To see more on electrowinning and other steps in processing copper, view Copper in Our Electrical World video

How much land does Mining use in the US?
Land used by Agriculture USDA US – total land area = 2.3 billion acres 2007 671 million acres (30%) – Forestland 614 million (27%) – grassland pasture and rangeland 408 million (18%) – cropland 313 million (14%) – special uses (mostly parks and wildlife areas) 197 million (9%) - miscellaneous uses (like tundra and swamps) – does this number include mining? 61 million (3%) – urban land Less than 0.2% of the land area of the United States and Canada is used by mining to produce all of the mineral materials we use every day.* Land Use Acres Percent (in millions) 48 States USA 48 States USA Agriculture 1,171 1, Forests Parks and Wilderness Cities and Towns Transportation** National Defense Mining Other*** By contrast the total area impacted by mining is about 6 million acres. This is 0.32% for the 48 States and 0.27% for all the USA. Nearly half of this land has already been reclaimed and the remainder is producing the minerals and metals necessary to support civilization as we know it today. * Statistics from USDA paper entitled “Major Uses of Land in the Unites States,” 2002. ** Roads, Rail and Airports *** Includes miscellaneous uses not inventoried and areas of little surface use such as marshes, open swamps, bare rock areas, desert and tundra. Washington D.C. Land used by 80 Years of Mining Nearly 50% has been reclaimed.

Reclamation Modern mines reclaim and rehabilitate the land during and after mining is completed, returning the land to useful purposes. If an area has good mining potential, a complete environmental study is done. All the plants, animals, birds and insects of an area and their habitats are identified, researched and documented. Waterways are very carefully studied. Clean water and a healthy environment are as important to miners as they are to the rest of us. Plans are developed to keep the environment in healthy condition. It is no secret that in the distant past, mining has created problems for the environment. Today’s mining operators take the responsibility of being good stewards of the land very seriously. Technological advancements in rehabilitating and reclaiming the land are put in place every year by environmental engineers employed by the mining industry. Closed loop water systems are employed during active mining operations to prevent contamination. Local streams and waterways are monitored on a regular basis. Underground mines are backfilled whenever possible, and land is reseeded with natural grasses and foliage. When a mine site is closed, the land is reclaimed for useful purposes. Related MEC resources

Reclaimed by Starvaggi Industries in West Virginia.
Before After Related MEC resources

ForkCreek Coal Mining Co., West Virginia

Homestake Mining Company’s McLaughlin Gold Mine in California

MINING 101 THE END ASSESSMENT
Each student can write an essay about one aspect of mining and what they learned that was previously unknown. Compare the students’ perception of mining after section 1 and after the completed presentation. THE END

Resources AngloGold Ashanti, Colorado Mining Association, Mining Basics, Minerals Education Coalition, Mining Engineering Magazine, SME, National Mining Association, Newmont Mining Corporation, Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Women in Mining Education Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Geological Survey, Christensen, John W. and Teri L., Global Science: Earth/Environmental Systems Science, Kendall Hunt. Dubuque, Iowa. 7th ed. 2009

MINING 101 Grade Level(s): 5-12

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MINING 101 Grade Level(s): 5-12

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