1. Minerals and the Environment
Chapter 26
Minerals and the Environment
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

2. How Mineral Deposits Are Formed
Ore Deposits – formed when metals are concentrated in anomalously high amounts by geological processes
Mineral resources are usually extracted from ore deposits
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

3. Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

4. Resources and Reserves
Minerals are classified as:
1. Mineral Resources
Elements, chemical compounds, minerals or rocks that can be extracted to obtain a usable commodity
1. Mineral Reserves
The portion of the resource that is identified and from which usable materials can be legally and economically extracted at the time of evaluation
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

5. Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

6. Availability of Mineral Resources
When the availability of a mineral becomes limited, there are 4 possible solutions:
1. Find more sources
2. Recycle and reuse what has already been obtained
3. Reduce consumption
4. Find a substitute
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

7. Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

8. Impacts of Mineral Development
Environmental Impacts
Depends on many factors – mining procedures, climate, rock type, etc.
Social Impacts
Increased demand for housing and services in mining areas
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

9. Minimizing Environmental Impact of Mineral Development
Environmental regulations at the federal, state and local levels
On-site and off-site treatment of waste
Practicing the 3 R’s of waste management
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

10. Minerals and Sustainability
R-to-C Ratio
A measure of the time available for finding the solutions to depletion of nonrenewable resources
R = known reserves
C = rate of consumption
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e

11. Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e