Minerals as Non-Minerals as Non-Renewable Resources in Renewable Resources in

BCBC

Balancing Economic and Balancing Economic and Environmental Concerns--A Grade Environmental Concerns--A Grade

Five Social Studies/Science Five Social Studies/Science Resource Package about Minerals Resource Package about Minerals

as Non-Renewable Resourcesas Non-Renewable ResourcesBy Mr. G. Gray

Natural Resources -

B.C.’s Non-Living Resources

Copper Molybdenum

Open-pit mining is a method used to mine ore that is lying close to the surface. The soil and rock that covers the ore body, or overburden, is first removed. Explosives are used to break up the rock that contains the ore. Heavy machinery is used to remove the ore. Trucks haul the ore up out of the pit to the crushing and grinding area.

Two examples of open pit mining. The one on the right is a molybdenum mine like the one in Endako.

These are quarries. The one on the right is a sandstone quarry in Egypt.

Dredging is often used to extract sand and gravel.Dredging is often used to extract sand and gravel.

Courtesy of Reson

A shaft mine is a system of passageways in A shaft mine is a system of passageways in which ore is removed and hauled to the surfacewhich ore is removed and hauled to the surface.

Underground miningUnderground mining

Environmental damage in Kentucky

A coal slurry pond

Mining can cause environmental damage by changing the landscape and creating toxic waste.

Land Reclamation at Kimberley - Cow Creek

.

Before--Tailings disposal prior to reclamation.

Land Reclamation at Kimberley - Cow Creek

During--Excavating tailings and contaminated soil from creek.

Land Reclamation at Kimberley - Cow CreekLand Reclamation at Kimberley - Cow Creek

After--Cow Creek and re-vegetated land bordering the creek.

Quick Facts

• In BC, generates over $3 billion in revenue and $89 million in

government taxes per year

• A leading employer in BC with substantial potential to do more

• 10,000 direct jobs & 20,000 indirect jobs

• Pays highest wages and benefits of any industry - $81,100 per

year

• An environmentally and socially responsible industry

• Less than 28,000 Hectares currently being used by mining which

is less than 0.03% of BC's land base and mining lands

are reclaimed

• Annual amount of road/trail building for mineral exploration

in 1993 = 103 km.

• Total hectares used by mineral exploration in 1993 - 157 hectare

• Total hectares harvested by forestry in 1993 - 221,599 hectares

• 2001 Exploration expenditures totalled $10 Million or less than 10% of

1990 levels

• In past 10 years, 2 mines closed for every 1 opened

• At end of mine life, land can be put to other uses:The mining of an ore body represents the highest value use to which a

hectare of land can be put:Mining - $150,000 per hectareForestry - $5,700 per hectareAgriculture - $1,400 per hectareParks - $42 per hectare

Quick FactsQuick Facts