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

http://www.golf.com/golf/courses_travel/coursefinder/course/0,28290,1517440,00.html

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.

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Resources and Reserves

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington

Use and Availability of Mineral ResourcesMinerals 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 EnvironmentalImpacts of Mineral Development

Lesson 15 / ESRM 100 / University of Washington

Recycling

UW recycling video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMPNiEzAkw

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? E-mail your TA.