Mineralogy, Mining, and Historical Use of Metals Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic mineralogy definitions, mining concepts, historical eras of mineral use, metallic alloys, chemical formulas, and energy resources.

Mineral

A naturally occurring, solid, homogeneous substance formed by inorganic processes, possessing a defined chemical composition and an ordered atomic structure.

Mineralogy

The scientific discipline that studies inorganic mineral species, whether found isolated or grouped together in rock masses.

Rock

A mass formed by one or more minerals that lacks a fixed single chemical composition.

Alloy

A mixture of metals (or metals with non-metals) combined to improve specific mechanical or chemical properties.

ANFO

A mining explosive composed of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel.

Bench

A step or vertical working level within an open-pit mine excavation.

Electrolytic Cell

Equipment used in mining and metallurgy to purify copper using electricity.

Crushing

The process of reducing large rocks from a mine into smaller sizes.

Crucible

A high-temperature resistant ceramic container used for melting metals.

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost electron shell of an atom that determine its chemical bonding and reactivity.

Waste Rock (Estéril)

Mined rock that contains no economic value.

Gangue

Valueless mineral material attached to or associated with the targeted ore.

Granulometry

The study and measurement of particle sizes in a sample.

Gravimetry

A separation method based on differences in particle weight or density.

Cut-off Grade

The minimum mineral grade required for a mining extraction operation to be profitable.

Mineral Grade

The percentage concentration of a target metal contained within rock.

Open-pit Mine

A surface excavation mining operation structured with working benches.

Underground Mine

A subterranean extraction site consisting of underground tunnels.

Ore (Mena)

A naturally occurring valuable mineral from which metal can be extracted for economic profit.

Paleolithic Era

The Old Stone Age, during which early humans utilized naturally available, unpolished rocks.

Neolithic Era

The New Stone Age, characterized by the creation of cut and polished stone tools, such as polished arrowheads.

Gold Discovery

The first metal discovered by humans around $18{,}000$ years ago, found as native metal in river alluviums and exposed rock formations.

Copper Age

The historical era lasting from $5000\text{--}6500_\text{B.C.}$ to $1800_\text{B.C.}$, during which copper was first extracted from natural chemical compounds.

Malachite

A copper mineral used historically as a pigment between $10{,}500_\text{B.C.}$ and $8800_\text{B.C.}$ and exploited as a copper ore.

Bronze

An alloy created during the Bronze Age ($3000_\text{B.C.}\text{--}1500_\text{B.C.}$) consisting of $88\%$ copper and $12\%$ tin.

Cassiterite

A tin ore mineral represented by the chemical formula $\text{SnO}_2$.

Chalcopyrite

A copper ore mineral with the chemical formula $\text{CuFeS}_2$.

Malleability

The physical ability of a material to be hammered or rolled into thin sheets.

Ductility

The ability of a material to be drawn out or stretched into thin wires.

Brass

An alloy made of $60\%$ copper and $40\%$ zinc that is brighter, more malleable, and more ductile than bronze.

Meteoric Iron

Native iron derived from meteorites, used $5{,}500$ years ago to craft jewelry prior to the Iron Age.

Magnetite

An iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula $\text{Fe}_3\text{O}_4$.

Hematite

An iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula $\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3$.

Steel

An alloy of iron and carbon containing $0.008\%$ to $2.11\%$ carbon, valued for its high strength and hardness.

Mineral Coal

Fossilized carbon formed from plant matter in swamps $300{,}000{,}000$ years ago, which fueled the steam engine invented in $1765$.

Petroleum Era

The historical era beginning around $1834$ centered on petroleum use for lighting oil, paraffin, grease oil, tar, colorants, and gas.

Radioactive Minerals

Unstable minerals that emit heat energy and radiation due to an excess of protons and neutrons escaping the atomic nucleus.

Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant

Mexico's nuclear power facility located in Veracruz, linked to Mexican uranium deposits.

Naica Cave

A Mexican cave system known for giant gypsum crystals, mined by Industrias Peñoles for silver, lead, and zinc.