And Mineral Resources Chapter 16 Section 1 Mining and Mineral Resources.
Mining and Mineral Resources. Minerals and Mineral Resources Objectives 1. Define the term mineral....
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Transcript of Mining and Mineral Resources. Minerals and Mineral Resources Objectives 1. Define the term mineral....
Minerals and Mineral ResourcesObjectives1. Define the term mineral.2. Explain the difference between a
metal and a nonmetal, and give two examples of each.
3. Describe three processes by which ore minerals form.
•A lot of what you use comes from minerals
•Minerals are mined so can harm the environment
•Resources will not last indefinitely
•What is a mineral?–A naturally occurring, usually inorganic solid that has a characteristic chemical composition, and orderly internal structure, and a characteristic set of physical properties
Table 1. Average Composition of the Crust
Element (Symbol) Weight percent Oxygen (O) 46.Silicon (Si) 27.7 Aluminum (Al) 8.1Iron (Fe) 5.0 Calcium (Ca) 3.6 Sodium (Na) 2.8 Potassium (K) 2.6Magnesium (Mg) 2.1 98.5
–Atoms are arranged in regular repeating patterns
–Most are compounds but some exist as native compounds (gold, silver, copper, …)
•Ore Mineral–Minerals that are valuable and economical to extract•Mining process removed the valuable minerals and the gangue (no commercial value) from the host rock
Common Elements and Their Ore Minerals
Aluminum Gibbsite, boehmite, bauxite
Beryllium Beryl
Chromium Chromite
Copper Bornite, cuprite, chalcocie, chalcoprite
Iron Goethite, hematite, magnetite, siderite
Lead Galena
Manganese Psilomelane, pyrolusite
Mercury Cinnabar
Molybdenum Molybdenite
Nickel Pentlandite
Silver Acanthite
Tin Cassiterite
Titanium Ilmenite, rutile
Uranium Carnotite, urainite
Zinc sphalerite
•Types of Minerals–Metallic
•Conduct electricity, shiny, opaque
–Nonmetallic•Good insulators, shiny or dull surfaces, and transparent or translucent
•Mineral Formation–Depends on the environment determine type of mineral•Metallic min. form below ground when magna cools and hardens
•Hydrothermal Solution. Hot water under ground brings flow through cracks in rocks, dissolving minerals they come in contact; minerals crystallize out and fill cracks. Deposits become veins
•Evaporites. Rivers and streams dissolve salts and carry them to seas and lakes. When the water evaporates the salt is left behind
Uses of important Metallic and Nonmetallic ElementsAl Cans, foil, windows, doors, siding, autos,
aircraft
Cu Cables, wires, electrical, plumbing, coins
Au Computers, communication, spacecraft, dentistry, jewelry
Fe Steel
Lead Batteries, ammunition, glass, ceramics
Si Computer chips, glass, ceramics
Ag Photography, electrical, mirrors, chemistry
Su Sulfuric acid, gun powder, rubber
Ti Jet engines, aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, pigments
Zn Steel coatings, brass, rubber, paints
Mineral Exploration and MiningObjectives1. Describe the manner in which mining
companies explore for new mineral deposits.
2. Describe three methods of subsurface mining.
3. Describe two methods of surface mining.
4. Define placer deposit, and explain how placer deposits form.
5. Describe the steps that take place in smelting an ore.
•Mineral Exploration–Mining companies won’t mine unless the minerals deposit is 100-1000x the concentration of the ordinary rock
•Use instruments that identify gravity, magnetism, radioactivity
•Aircraft, satellites, aerial photos
•Types of Mining–Subsurface mining – mining 50 m or more below the surface•Longwall mining- uses a rotating shearer to remove mineral
• http://www.comalco.com/freedom.aspx?pid=260
–Placer Mining•Surface deposits concentrated by wind and water–Along coastlines–Mined by dredging
–Undersea Mining
–Smelting•Crushed ore is melted at high temperatures in furnace to separate impurities from molten rock
Mining Regulations and Mine ReclamationObjectives1. Describe seven important
potential environmental consequences of mining.
2. Name four federal laws that relate to mining and reclaiming mined land.
3. Define the term reclamation. 4. Describe two ways in which state
governments regulate mining.
•Environmental Impacts or consequences of Mining–Air and noise pollution–Water contamination
•Acid mine drainage – when oxygen and water react with minerals to form sulfuric acid
•Mining Regulations and Reclamation–Mines are regulated by state and federal laws•Clean Water Act•Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act
•Endangered Species Act
–Reclamation – the process of returning land to its original or better condition after mining is completed•Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
–State Regulation of Mining•permits