Study Notes - Minerals, Coal and Mining

A comprehensive vocabulary review of core mining concepts, essential definitions, key minerals in South Africa and their uses, and the 300-million-year-old process of coal formation.

Mineral

A substance formed in the Earth. Minerals were formed at the same time as the Earth.

Ore

A rock that contains large amounts of a certain mineral.

Non-renewable resource

Something that we can only use once.

Renewable resource

A resource that is replaced naturally and can be used again. Examples include oxygen, fresh water, solar energy and wind.

Coal

Rock made from the remains of plants that died millions of years ago.

Open-pit mining

Mines that remove large areas of soil and rock from the surface.

Shaft

A hole that goes deep down into the ground.

Ventilation pipes

Pipes that take air around the mine tunnels and shafts.

Pollution

Causing damage to air, water and soil with dirt and/or chemicals.

Mining

The process of digging rocks out of the ground.

Mine

A place where mining happens.

Miners

People who work in mines.

Gold

A mineral whose main applications and uses include jewellery, dentistry (to fill teeth), coins and medals.

Platinum

A mineral whose main applications and uses include car industries, jewellery and electrical industries.

Chrome

A mineral used for making other metals and shiny parts of machines.

Copper

A mineral used for pipes to carry water, electrical wiring and jewellery.

Diamonds

Minerals used for jewellery and cutting machines, which cut through glass.

Silver

A mineral used for jewellery, trophies, medicines, aeroplane industries, computers and cell phones.

Iron

A mineral used in buildings, vehicles and machines, as well as making other metals, steel and stainless steel.

Manganese

A mineral mixed with steel to make it harder and stronger, used for colouring glass, mixed with aluminium to prevent damage from rain and sun, and used in batteries and cans.

Coal Formation (Step 1)

Millions of years ago, thick forests grew in wet areas called swamps. Each year, some trees died and fell into the swamps.

Coal Formation (Step 2)

The swamps filled with dead trees. Rivers washed sand and soil into the swamps, burying the dead trees.

Coal Formation (Step 3)

More sand and rock piled on top, squeezing out the water. Over a long time, the buried sand, soil and trees were compressed into rock, and the trees became coal.