Surface and Subsurface types
Which type of mining is safer for the miners?
Surface mining
Pencils are made of what mineral
Graphite
What is reclamation in the context of mining?
The restoration of the land to its original state after mining
Which mining activity can lead to large displacement of plants and animals in the area?
Surface mining
In what way can geopolitical interactions impact the equitable distribution of mineral resources? Think of the interactions between countries in which mining occurs and countries that
They often lead to monopolization of resources by powerful nations
What is surface mining?
Mining that occurs on the Earth's surface
Which of the following is a challenge associated with electronic waste (e-waste)?
It often contains both valuable and hazardous materials
Type of mining has the least disturbance of soil
Subsurface mining
What is the most significant cause of water contamination as a result of mining activities?
Water picking up toxic substances from mining areas
What is a common outcome of inequity in access to mineral resources?
Heightened conflict and imbalance of power
Which type of surface mining involves digging a large hole to extract ore deposits?
Open-pit mining
Which is true of coal?
Burning it does not cause pollution
It is a liquid fossil fuel
The US gets more than half of its energy from burning it
The US gets more than half of its energy from burning it
What is soil degradation, which occurs as a result of mining?
Removing beneficial nutrient levels
What are two harmful effects of mining?
Air pollution and water contamination
How do the geographic locations of minerals influence geopolitical interactions?
Countries may engage in trade wars to control access to resources
Type of mining has the least disturbance of soil
Subsurface mining
What is the main difference between renewable and nonrenewable resources?
Nonrenewable resource will run out, while renewable resources will not
What type of pollution is caused by the smelting process in mining?
Water Contamination
Which of the following is NOT an environmental impact of mining?
Air and Noise Pollution, Displacement of Wildlife, Land Preservation, Soil degradation
Land Preservation
What is the economic impact of mining regions rich in resources like lithium or cobalt?
Mining provides dangerous, low pay jobs and increases wealth in other places
What is subsurface mining?
Mining that takes place more than 50 meters below the Earth's surface
Which of the following best describes the positive impact of scarcity of minerals on human activity?
It encourages overconsumption of available resources
How does erosion and sediment impact the environment during mining?
By increasing turbidity of water sources
What is the major environmental concern associated with lithium mining in the Atacama Desert?
Overuse of freshwater in a drought-prone area
How can scarcity of a particular mineral affect technological advancements?
It results in reduced investments in research and development