Mineral Resources Extracted From The Lithosphere

What is the lithosphere made up of?

- Solid crust

- Upper mantle

How iron is extracted each year and what is it used for?

- 1700m/t in global annual production

- Buildings : Girders, steel reinforced concrete

- Transport: Ships, road vehicles, rail tracks

- Appliance cases : Cookers, fridges, washing machines

How aluminium is extracted each year and what is it used for?

- 53m/t

- Packaging foil, vehicle window frames

How copper is extracted each year and what is it used for?

- 19m/t

- Electric cables, water pipes

How zinc is extracted each year and what is it used for?

- 14m/t

- Steel protection : Galvanising

- Batteries

- Alloys

How lead is extracted each year and what is it used for?

- 9m/t

- Lead-acid batteries

- Construction: roof and window flashing

- Radiation shielding

Industrial Minerals and construction materials:

- Aggregates - 40b/t - concrete, building mortar, glass

- Limestone - 600m/t - cement, building blocks

- Salt - 290m/t - Source of chlorine for manufacture of paper and plastics, de-icing roads

Why are mineral resources extracted being non-renewable bad?

They are reformed too slowly to be replaced within the timescales that would allow human use

What does long term use of mineral resources rely on?

- Understanding of scientific methods that will increase supplies

- Extend use

- Find alternatives for those in restricted supplies