Mining

Rocks and The Undesirable Effects of Obtaining Mineral

Resources

The Rock Cycle

Environmental Effects of Using Mineral and Energy Resources

What Are the Harmful Environmental Effects of Using Mineral Resources?

Extracting and using mineral resources can; • disturb the land, • erode soils, • produce large amounts of solid waste, and • pollute the air, water, and soil.

Extracting Mineral Deposits

Surface mining

Subsurface mining

Overburden

Mining Methods

Open-pit mining

Strip mining

Area strip mining

Contour strip mining

Mountaintop removal

Open-pit Mining

Strip Mining

Contour Strip Mining

Mountaintop Mining

Harmful Environmental Effects of Mining

Disruption of land surface

Subsidence

Toxic-laced mining wastes

Acid mine drainage

Air pollution

Life Cycle of a Metal Resource

Electric power plant

Sulfuric acid producer

Surplussulfur

GreenhousesWasteheat

Cement manufacturer

Fly ash

Oil refinery

Waste heat

Surplusnatural gas

Area homes

Wasteheat

Fish farming

Wasteheat

Wallboard factory

Wastecalciumsulfate

Surplusnatural gas

Local farmers

Sludge

Sludge

Pharmaceutical plant

Wasteheat

Stepped Art