Chapter 16: Mineral Resources and Mining Mr. Manskopf Notes also at

MAIN IDEA Modern societies depend upon a large number of a variety of minerals. Mining of those minerals has a great impact on our environment.

GOALS for Chapter 16 Notes Investigate what minerals are, why they are important. Describe how we find minerals in the ground and how we mine them. Analyze the environmental impact of mining.

Identifying Mineral Around You What are the walls made from? What are the windows made from? What is your desk made from? What is this computer made from? What is inside all those wires around the room? What is all of my jewelry made from?

Minerals Mineral: a naturally occurring solid that has a fixed chemical make up and set properties Nonrenewable! Aluminum Gold Salt Lead Copper

Average US person in a lifetime

Ore Minerals Ore Minerals: valuable and economically extractable Gangue: no commercial value found in mineral “Waste Product” Gold Ore

Copper Ore Copper Mine in Arizona Pure copper

Metallic vs. Nonmetallic Metallic Conduct electricity Shiny Opaque Copper, lead, gold, silver, nickel, titanium, iron Nonmetallic Good insulators May be shiny or dull May allow light to pass Salt, clay, gypsum, silica, quartz,

Sand mine Coal Mine

How do they form? Magma cooling Evaporation Many other ways

The many ways they form…coal

How are they used? (cooper as example)

Copper Usage Worldwide

Where in the U.S. are they found?

How are they found?

Subsurface Mining Ore usually found below 50 meters More dangerous Some mines 2-3 miles deep Lower impact at surface

Subsurface Mining

Surface Mining Ore deposits located close to surface More land impact “safer” More water pollution

Surface Mining

Environmental Impacts of Surface Mining

Smelting Process by which ore is melted at high temperatures to remove impurities

Mineral Life Cycle

Environmental Impacts of Mining

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Air

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Water

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Wildlife

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Soil

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Subsidence

Environmental Impacts of Mining: Underground Fires

Mining Laws In the U.S. there are several laws that impact mining Clean Water Act Clean Air Act Endangered Species Act Safe Drinking Water Act Superfund (CERCLA) Surface Mining Control Reclamation Act

Reclamation Process of restoring land to it original condition when mining is completed

Review Chapter 16 Mining and Minerals Investigate what minerals are, why they are important. Describe how we find minerals in the ground and how we mine them. Analyze the environmental impact of mining.

How can our actions lesson impacts like this?