The lithosphere

Aerial survey

A method of collecting data on mineral

resources using airplanes, helicopters,

UAVs, balloons or other aerial methods.

Typical types of data collected

include aerial photography, Lidar, remote

sensing and also geophysical data (such

as aeromagnetic surveys and gravity)

Aggregate

Deposits of sand and gravel used for

making concrete, building mortar and

glass. Surface deposits on land are

quarried; they can also be dredged from

coastal waters.

Alluvial deposits

Material carried and deposited by flowing

water. The distance the material travels

before sedimenting out depends on the

mass of the material and the velocity of

water. Examples include gold, tin, sand.

Batholith

A large mass of intrusive igneous rock

that forms from cooled magma deep in

Earth's crust. They can be exposed at

the surface due to weathering and

erosion of the overlying rock. Formation

of a batholith often leads to

hydrothermal deposition of important

metal ores such as tin and copper which

forms metal rich veins or seams

Bauxite

A sedimentary rock rich in aluminium.

Often strip-mined as it is found near the

surface with little or no overburden.

Biggest produces are Australia, China

and Guinea

Biological sediments

Mineral deposits formed by the action of

living organisms. Found in sedimentary

rocks, the process often concentrates the

mineral. Examples are limestone, coal

crude oil and natural gas