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

2. 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?

3. 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 Gold
Natural Gas Oil
Potash Gravel
Sand Copper

4. 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 Gold
Natural Gas Oil
Potash Gravel
Sand Copper
A: 8 E: 7
B: 4 F: 1
C: 5 G: 2
D: 3 H: 6

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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.

17. Mining In MB
Complete the Assignment, Mining in Manitoba.

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