mining + coal

surface minign

The ground = blasted so ores near Earth’s surface can be removed and carried to refineries to extract minerals.

Underground mining

Ores = removed from deep within earth. Miners blast tunnels into the rock to reach ore deposits.

steps im rock extraction - mining

Exploration - extraction - processing - use

qurries

• places where stone is extracted

sacred, carefully managed for sustainably with access approva

Wilgie Mia Ochre Mine (Wajarri Yamatji Country)

What it is

• Largest and deepest underground ochre mines in Aus

Key facts

• Ochre is a natural pigment and it is found in different colours at this mine (red, yellow and green)

use

• O = used 4 body decoration, ceremony, rock art

Mount William Greenstone Quarry (Wurundjeri Country)

• An ancient stone axe open cut quarry.

key facts

• Boulders were heated to break away pieces of rock then shaped into a roughed-out hatchet.

Use

• Greenstone axe heads = used 4 hunting + were traded across south-eastern Aus.

coal

• has been part of human life 4 thousands of years.

formation of coal

plants die in swampy forests. When the plants died, - sank into oxygen-poor water + decayed very slowly

• Over time, layers of mud + sand built up on top + compress plant material,→ coal

coal = cheap + location

coal = close to surface,- easy + cheap to extract.’

coal eneryg

important bc one of the cheapest energy sources in Victoria

• transport costs are low

• brown coal is simple to dig out.

coal downside

when burn it 4 electricity production, carbon = released into atmosphere as carbon dioxide, which drives climate change.

→heat waves, food shortages, + disease. Rising sea levels + ocean acidification also damage coastlines + marine life