APES unit 6

Ore

Commercially valuable deposits of concentrated minerals that can be harvested and used as raw materials.

Metals

Elements that conduct electricity, heat, and have structural properties for building, found within ores.

Reserve

The known amount of a resource left that can be mined, usually measured in years left of extraction.

Overburden

Soil, vegetation, and rocks that are removed to access an ore deposit below.

Tailings and Slag

Leftover waste material separated from the valuable metal or mineral with ore, often stored in ponds at the mine site.

Surface Mining

Mining method that requires removing the overburden to access ore near the surface.

Mountaintop Removal

A surface mining method that is most damaging to landscapes and habitats, involving the removal of vegetation and soil.

Subsurface Mining

Mining method that involves digging deeper into the ground, which is more dangerous and expensive.

Acid Mine Drainage

Rainwater leaking into abandoned mine tunnels that mixes with pyrite, forming sulfuric acid and contaminating water sources.

Methane Release

The process by which coal mining releases methane gas, contributing to climate change.

Mine Reclamation

The process of restoring land to its original state after mining has finished.

Renewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption.

Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Energy sources that exist in fixed amounts on earth and cannot be easily replaced or regenerated.

Fossil Fuels

Fossilized remains of ancient biomass that take millions of years to form, including coal, oil, and natural gas.

Depletable Renewables

Renewable energy sources that can run out if overused, such as biomass and ethanol.

Nondepletable Renewables

Renewable energy sources that do not run out if overused, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric.

Global Energy Consumption

The measurement of energy use across different countries, highlighting differences between developed and developing nations.

Nuclear Energy

Energy generated from uranium or other radioactive fuels.

Energy Source Availability

The dependence of fossil fuel use on discovered reserves and accessibility.

Government Regulations

Rules that can mandate certain energy source mixes or provide incentives for renewable energy development.