CH15 Mineral Resources - EVR 1001

mineral

inorganic solid, occurring naturally in or on the Earth's crust

rock

naturally formed aggregate of minerals

ore

rock that contains enough of a mineral to be profitably mined and extracted

igneous rock

when magma rises from the mantle and cools

sedimentary rock

when small fragments of weathered, eroded rocks are deposited, compacted, and cemented

metamorphic rock

when intense heat and pressure alter igneous sedimentary

abundant minerals in crust

aluminum and iron

scarce mineral in crust

copper, chromium, and molybdenum

magmatic concentration

as magma cools, heavier elements settle

hydrothermal processes

minerals are carried and deposited by water heated deep in Earth's crust

sedimentation

weathered particles are transported by water and deposited as sediment on sea floor or shore

evaporation

salts are left behind after water body dries up

surface mining

-mineral and energy resources are extracted near Earth's surface
-open pit (hole is dug)
-strip mine (trench is dug)

subsurface mining

-mineral and energy are extracted from deep underground deposits
-shaft mine
-slope mine

smelting

process in which ore is melted at high temperatures to separate impurities from the molten metal

mining and environment

-disturbs large area
-prone to erosion
-use large quantities of water

acid mine drainage

pollution caused when sulfuric acid and toxic dissolved materials wash from mines into nearby lakes and streams

restoration of mined lands

to prevent further degradation and erosion of land

derelict lands

degraded land due to mining

created wetlands

trap and filter pollutants before they get into streams

phytoremediation

use of specific plants to absorb and accumulate toxic materials in soul

minerals in highly developed countries

-rely on mineral deposits in developing countries
-have exhausted country's own supplies
-industrialization depletes domestic mineral reserves

minerals in developing countries

-increase use of nonrenewable mineral resources
-greater risk of acid mine drainage, air and water pollution due to lack of financial resources

mineral reserves

mineral deposits that have been identified and are currently profitable to extract

mineral resources

any undiscovered mineral deposits or known deposits unprofitable to extract

minerals from the ocean

may provide us with future supplies

biomining

using microorganisms to extract minerals from low-grade ores

mineral substitutes

-using plastic, glass, or aluminum in place of tin
-using glass fibers instead of copper wiring in telephone cables

mineral conservation

-reuse and recycling of existing mineral supplies

reuse

using items over and over again

recycling

converting item into new product

source reduction

using fewer and less material to make a product

changing mineral needs

must change "throw away" mentality