1. Minerals: A Nonrenewable Resource Chapter 16

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

3. 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

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

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

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

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

8. 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

9. Environmental Implications of Minerals Environmental Impacts of Refining Minerals

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

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

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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

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

19. 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?

20. Increasing the Supply of Minerals Minerals from the Ocean Manganese nodules

21. Increasing the Supply of Minerals Minerals from the Ocean

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

23. 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

24. 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