Ore Minerals: Formation, Exploration, Mining, Processing & Impacts

These flashcards cover definitions, processes, techniques, and impacts related to ore minerals—from formation and exploration, through mining and processing, to environmental considerations.

What is an ore mineral?

A naturally occurring mineral that contains valuable elements which can be mined, processed, and sold at a profit.

How do mineral deposits differ from ore deposits?

Mineral deposits are aggregates of minerals in high concentration, while ore deposits are mineral deposits that are economically valuable.

True or False: All minerals are ores.

False. All ores are minerals, but not all minerals are ores.

Name the four broad groups of mineral deposits.

Energy resources, metal resources, industrial mineral resources, and essential resources.

Define ore genesis.

The process by which a deposit of ore is created.

List the three major types of ore‐genesis processes.

Internal (magmatic/volcanic), hydrothermal, and surficial processes.

Which ore‐genesis process involves seawater circulating through cracks in Earth's crust?

Hydrothermal processes.

Why are ores considered non-renewable resources?

Because they form over geologic timescales and cannot be replenished within a human lifetime.

What is mineral exploration?

The search for valuable ore deposits, often involving remote sensing, geophysical, and geochemical techniques.

Define gangue minerals.

Minerals found with ore that have no commercial value.

Which exploration technique gathers information without physical contact with the target?

Remote sensing.

Give two examples of geophysical exploration methods.

Seismic refraction and electrical resistivity.

What are the two main categories of mining methods?

Surface mining and underground mining.

When is surface mining typically used?

To extract ore minerals located near Earth’s surface.

Name the five types of surface mining.

Strip mining, open-pit mining, dredging, mountain-top removal, and highwall mining.

Which surface mining method removes overburden to expose horizontal seams of coal?

Strip mining.

Describe open-pit mining in one sentence.

It extracts minerals from a large open pit excavated in the ground.

What is dredging mining primarily used for?

Underwater excavation of placer deposits using floating equipment.

Explain mountain-top removal mining.

A surface mining method where the tops of mountains are blasted off to access coal seams.

What distinguishes highwall mining?

It is a remotely controlled method that extracts coal from the base of an exposed highwall.

Why is underground mining employed?

To extract rocks and minerals located deep beneath Earth’s surface.

List the three types of underground mining presented.

Room-and-pillar, shrinkage stoping, and vertical crater retreat (VCR).

How does room-and-pillar mining support the mine roof?

By leaving pillars of coal between excavated rooms.

What is created after shrinkage stoping mining removes ore?

A large open space called a stope.

Which underground technique uses large-diameter holes and remote blasting?

Vertical Crater Retreat (VCR).

Identify the three primary ore extraction methods after mining.

Heap leaching, flotation, and smelting.

What chemical process does heap leaching rely on?

Adding solutions such as cyanide or acid to dissolve and separate valuable metals from crushed ore.

Briefly describe flotation in mineral processing.

A compound attaches to hydrophobic mineral particles, causing them to float and form a froth that is collected.

What happens during smelting?

Ore is roasted, causing it to segregate into layers so metals can be extracted.

Name the four main steps of mineral processing.

Sampling & analysis, comminution, concentration, and dewatering.

What is comminution?

The size-reduction process in which rock is crushed or broken into smaller pieces.

Define concentration in the context of mineral processing.

Separating valuable minerals from raw material to produce a concentrate.

Why is dewatering important?

It removes water from mineral concentrate, reducing weight and improving transport.

List the three categories of factors affecting mineral availability.

Geologic, economic, and environmental factors.

Give two environmental impacts of improper mining.

Water and air pollution, habitat destruction, erosion, flooding, or subsidence (any two suffice).