Mineral Resources Can You Dig It?
Definition & Types Mineral Resources: Different types: “Inorganic, naturally occurring, solid, crystalline substances” Different types: Metals (Iron, Lead, Copper, Nickel) Industrial Minerals (Aluminum, Gypsum, Titanium) Gem Minerals (Gold, Silver, Diamond, Emerald) Energy minerals (Graphite, Fluorite, Quartz)
Location Mineral resources are found in: California (gold) Kentucky (coal) Washington (aluminum) Arizona (copper) Texas (sulfur)
Benefits Coal provides about 50% of electricity for U.S. Aluminum is very light weight, strong, recyclable Copper has roles to help maintain a healthy body Sulfur is a key component in gunpowder and matches Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity
Environmental Consequences Mining: - “The process or industry of obtaining coal or other minerals from a mine” Subsurface Room & Pillar Mining Long-wall Mining Solution Mining Surface Strip Open-Pit Solar Evaporation Contamination from leakage of chemicals Affects the health of the local population Causes erosion, formation of sinkholes and loss of biodiversity Mining can cause contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water
Uses of resources Gold: Sulfur: Copper: Aluminum: Coal: Jewelry, coinage, awards, &dentistry Sulfur: Steel, rubber, cement, explosives, adhesives & sulfuric acid Copper: Sheathing of ships, heating/air conditioning systems, &wiring Aluminum: Baseball bats, golf clubs, pop cans & automobiles Coal: Energy in creating heat or electricity
Costs Equipment: Rock Breaker- $29,800 Drill- $1,861 Tunneler- $2,500,000 Excavator- $2,000,000 Underground Diesel Truck-$81,000 Conveyer-$10,500 Grader-$200,000 Loader-$70,000 Long Wall coal mine- $74,400,000
Applicable legislation Laws: Federal Land Policy and Management Act - Prevents undue and unnecessary degradation of fertile lands Toxic Substance Control Act - Requires regulation of chemicals that present risk to a health or environment Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Regulates coal mining operations and reclamations Clean Air Act Sets air quality standards Safe Drinking Water Act - Directs standards for quality of drinking water
Extra Facts A telephone contains about 40 different mineral materials There are over 4,000 different types of minerals Only around 30 of these are commonly found Sometimes made up of one element (Gold) Most the time is made of two or more (Aragonite) A telephone contains about 40 different mineral materials A television has about 35 minerals and an automobile has about 15 minerals
Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5s9ugeAoDY
literature Cited http://minerals.usgs.gov/west/factfaq.htm http://topcultured.com/top-15-most-expensive-minerals -in-the-world/ http://www.economonitor.com/blog/2010/06/how-much- does-a-mine-cost/ http://www.lkconsult.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=3 9 http://www.nma.org/index.php/federal-environmental-laws-that-govern-u-s-mining