Canada’s Mineral Wealth Geography 20F Unit 2: Natural Resources

Minerals Minerals are naturally occurring, pure, non-living substance found in the rock of the earth. Most minerals are of little or no economic value, but some are enormously valuable and very important to everyday life. Valuable Minerals? Important Minerals?

Finished Products a. Electrical wire b. glass & ceramics h. plastic CD cases c. electronic contacts g. heat in your home d. fertilizer f. stainless steel knives e. cement & forks Mineral Products Nickel 5.Gold Natural Gas 6. Oil Potash 7. Gravel Sand 8. Copper

A: 8 E: 7 B: 4 F: 1 C: 5 G: 2 D: 3 H: 6 Finished Products a. Electrical wire b. glass & ceramics h. plastic CD cases c. electronic contacts g. heat in your home d. fertilizer f. stainless steel knives e. cement & forks Mineral Products Nickel 5.Gold Natural Gas 6. Oil Potash 7. Gravel Sand 8. Copper A: 8 E: 7 B: 4 F: 1 C: 5 G: 2 D: 3 H: 6

Types of Minerals There are three types of minerals found across Canada Metallic Minerals Non-Metallic Minerals (Industrial Minerals) Fuel Minerals (Fossil Fuels) Each type of mineral is characterized by their composition and therefore their uses.

Metallic Minerals Metallic minerals when refined give us metals. Some metals are known for their rareness & beauty. Ex. Gold, silver & platinum Some for their strength. Ex. Iron & Titanium Some for their special properties. Copper, conductivity

Fuel Minerals Fuels minerals are essentially known as fossil fuels & provide the majority of energy used today. In the past, coal was widely used and the most important of these minerals. Oils & gas have replaced the use of coal for many uses such as transportation & heating.

Industrial Minerals Industrial Minerals are so widely spread in their characteristics that it is easier to say that they are minerals other than metallic minerals & fuel minerals. Common Industrial Minerals are: Asbestos : protects things from fire & heat Potash : salt like material used to make fertilizers (SK) Gypsum : makes drywall sheets & walls Diamonds : used to make cutting tools & jewellery Gravel : construction & landscaping

Examples of Minerals METALLIC MINERALS FUEL MINERALS INDUSTRIAL MINERALS Cobalt Copper Coal Asbestos Building Stone Gold Iron Oil Clay Products Diamonds Nickel Uranium Natural Gas Gravel Gypsum Zinc Potash Salt Sand Sandstone

Importance of Mining Canada ranks 3rd in the world in the productions of minerals Only the USA & Russia are ahead of us However, Canada is the largest exporter of minerals We export ~80% of what we produce due to the fact that we produce more than we can use In 2001, the total value of all mineral production was $83 billion.

Importance of Mining to the Economy Industrial Metals $7.6 Billion Metallic Metals $10.4 Billion Fuel Minerals $65 Billion

Mineral Reserves Minerals only become useful resources if it makes economical sense. Mineral deposits that are economical to mine are called Mineral reserves. These reserves are reduced everyday that they are mined. Geologists are always searching for areas that have the best chance of finding minerals as to not let Canada’s mineral stock deplete.

Types of Mining 3 Types of Mining is used to extract minerals 1) Strip Mining Is used to extract minerals, such as coal & oil sands that are located in the horizontal layers near the surface

Types of Mining 2) Open Pit Mining Is used to extract minerals that are located near the surface but may extend deep into the earth

Types of Mining 3) Underground or Shaft Mining Is used to extract mineral ores located deep in the earth

Issues: Canada’s Mining Acid Rain caused by the mining industry 6 out of 10 biggest polluters in North America are smelters & refineries in Ontario, Quebec & Manitoba Subdury, Ontario is home to the world’s largest source of sulphur dioxide. It is home to a smelting plant for Inco. Abandoned Mines allow for pollutants to seep into ground water (oil sands) Highest-quality reserves are close to exhausted.

Mining In MB Complete the Assignment, Mining in Manitoba.

Ekati Diamond Mine Read the story Ekati Diamond Mine and complete the Textbook Assignment.