Minerals

What is a Mineral? A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure and chemical composition 1.Naturally occurring - Found in the Earth’s crust 2.Inorganic - Made of materials that are nonliving 3.Solid - Has a definite volume and shape 4.Crystalline structure - Repeating pattern of mineral particles 5.Definite chemical composition - Contains certain elements in measurable amounts

Chemical Composition Element – A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by ordinary chemical means – All minerals contain one or more of the 92 naturally occurring elements – Examples: Carbon (C), Sodium (Na), & Chlorine (Cl) Compound – Substance made of two or more elements that have been chemically joined, or bonded – Most minerals exist in this form – Examples: Halite (NaCl)

Definition: Solid, geometric forms of minerals produced by a repeating pattern of atoms or molecules All minerals have a definite crystalline structure Crystals

The largest known gypsum crystals in the world are found in a cavern deep below northern Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert

Two Major Mineral Categories 1.Silicate Minerals - Compound consisting of silicon, oxygen, & one or more metals -Make up over 90% of Earth’s crust -Examples: Quartz, Feldspar, & Mica 2.Non Silicate Minerals - Do not contain silicon or oxygen Examples: Gold, Calcite, & Fluorite

Mineral Formation Two Major Methods: 1.Crystallization of melted materials (magma) 2.Crystallization of materials dissolved in water

Mineral Resources Metals – Valued for ability to be stretched into wire, flattened into sheets, and hammered/molded without breaking – Used in machinery, cell phones, and building materials Non Metals Used in concrete and other building materials, even computer chips Gemstones – Non metal minerals valued for color, durability, and rarity – Used in jewelry and mechanical parts Other Uses – Food, medicine, fertilizer, etc…

Mineral Mining Ore – A mineral deposit large and pure enough to be mined for profit Two Main Types of Mining: 1.Surface Mining - Used when deposits are near the Earth’s surface - Examples: Mountain top removal, Strip-mining, & Open-pit 2.Subsurface Mining - Used when deposits are deep within the Earth’s crust - Example: Shaft Mines

Mining Methods Strip Mining Mountaintop Removal Shaft Mining

Mineral Processing Smelting – Process of melting an ore and separating the useful metal from the other elements

Environmental Impacts of Mining Destroys habitat of plants & animals Pollutes rivers, lakes, & ground water Scars the Earth Before After