Earth Science Daily Challenge, 11/30

There will be a TEST on Minerals and Mining this WEDNESDAY. What QUESTIONS do you

have about minerals and mining or the test?

Earth Science Daily Challenge, 11/19

As you watch “The Copper Connection” list and describe the steps required to mine and

purify copper. In other words, what processes are used to get ore out of the

ground and turn it into a useful pure metal?

Earth Science Daily Challenge, 11/20What are some impacts of

mining on the environment?

Mining VocabularyOre – rock with an economic amount of a useful

substance

Overburden / spoils – rock, soil, & vegetation overlying (in the way) of ore

Tailings – solid waste materials left over from ore processing

Refining – purifying the mineral resource (usually with chemical means)

Nonrenewable – a finite resource (will run out!)

Mining ActivitiesSurface Mining

Open Pit – for large near-surface ore bodiesStrip – for large area, thin, near-surface ores

also: auger / hydraulic – pump up oil, gas, salt brinessolution – for salts, gold (anything that can dissolve)

placer – for collecting dense water depositsSubsurface Mining

Shaft or long wall vein – for deep, thin veinsroom & pillar – for deep large ore bodies

Processingmilling – powdering ores (produces dust/noise)smelting – heating metal ores to remove themrefining – chemical processes for purification

RECLAMATION ?! – “repair” the environment

Potential Negative Mining Effects

Loss of wildlife habitat & other land usesDust & noise pollutionWater level drawdownsWater pollution (tailings chemicals, etc.)Acid mine drainageGround subsidenceFires, explosions, collapses - loss of human lifeAcid rain from smeltingIndustrial wastes from refining