1. LITHOSPHERE

2.   Precious as well as base metals are mined in SA.  Precious metals : metals with a high monetary value; relatively rare e.g. gold, silver and platinum.  Base metals : not as expensive or rare e.g. copper, lead, iron, zinc and tin.  Non-metals e.g. coal and asbestos are also mined. South Africa is rich in minerals

3.  Mining in SA https://www.youtube.c om/watch?feature=play er_detailpage&v=FHIsa 550plM

4.   Scientists think that the Late Bombardment took place about 3 900 millions of years ago. Many huge bodies (meteorites etc.) hit the earth.  Meteorites contain metals such as gold and platinum, and therefore increased the amounts of these metals on earth.  Diamonds were formed under great pressure during the formation of the continents. Why does SA have so many different types of minerals in abundance?

5.  Mineral ores  Minerals are mined as ore, rock containing enough of a certain mineral to make it commercially valuable. Gold – reef gold Copper ore Iron ore

6.  Mining methods  Some mines are open mines e.g. some coal mines in SA. The Big Hole at Kimberley was an open pit diamond mine.  https://www.youtube. com/watch?feature=pl ayer_detailpage&v=gzt -45ePI7w https://www.youtube. com/watch?feature=pl ayer_detailpage&v=gzt -45ePI7w Open copper mine at Palaborwa

7.  Kimberley  The history of mining in South Africa is closely bound to the diamond mines at Kimberley.  Did you know that Kimberley was the first town in SA to have electric street lamps?

8.  Underground mining  If the mineral is buried deep underground, then miners have to go underground. If the mineral is buried deep underground, then miners have to go underground.  https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Bk- jrbCi7Sc&feature=playe r_detailpage https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Bk- jrbCi7Sc&feature=playe r_detailpage

9.  Iron ore and mining for iron  Iron ore is blasted from open mine and  then brought to surface by huge trucks.  https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=xAa979cdiT0&feature=player_d etailpage Sishen is one of our biggest iron ore mines. Crushed ore is taken by train to Saldanha to be exported and then turned to steel.

10.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6BI yQJZdTg&feature=player_detailpage

11.  Extracting iron from iron ore

12.  Diamonds are forever!

13.  Diamond mining Diamonds are pure carbon with a crystal structure. Diamonds are found in rock known as Kimberlite pipes. Diamonds can have colours, due to other elements found inside. Diamonds are also made artificially to be used in industrial processes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feat ure=player_detailpage&v=M8gE40tmh G8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feat ure=player_detailpage&v=- y35seGFVqA