Types of Mining
True/False: The quarries left by open pit mining that fill with groundwater are always safe for swimming and drinking.
False
A mineral or grouping of minerals from which we extract metals.
Ore
The year of the famous California gold rush was __________________
1849
The country where tantalum (aka coltan) is mined at the expense of refugees, farmers, children, and civilians being forced to work the mines as the profits are skimmed by local militia.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Where is the largest diamond miner in the world located?
Russia
When shafts are dug with tunnels leading out, and minerals are extracted and shipped to the surface. The most dangerous form of mining.
subsurface
the portion of ore left over after metals have been extracted, can be leached into water and soil (ex: cyanide is used to extract gold from ore), kept in surface impoundments.
Tailings
true/false: Reclamation or restoration of land after mining was always a requirement in the history of mining in the USA.
False
The most dangerous form of mining is ________________________.
subsurface
The coal mine in West Viginia (on the video) has now been reclaimed as a __________________ farm.
Lavendar
Gigantic holes are dug, the ore is extracted, and the waste rock dumped outside the hole.
open pit mining
Finding large reserves of underground minerals (Remains difficult, even with visualizing equipment) is called _______________________.
Prospecting
The name of the job for boys who would work in the coal mines and open the trap door for the mules to pass through, as we learned in the article "Children in the Coal Mines"
trap boys
What is the nonmetallic mineral that is mined that is used in glass making? It is one of the most abundant minerals found in the earth.
Quartz
Some of the long term affect of subsurface mining include examples like the smoldering coal fires located under____________________, which has caused a complete desertion of the town.
Centralia, PA
Removes surface layers of soil and rock. Used when the mineral is near the surface
The holes typically left by pit mining that then fill with water are called ________________.
quarries
The name of the act still in use today in the USA that was enacted in response to the chaos of the 1849 California Gold Rush and that allows individuals to explore and stake claims on federal lands without a lease or payment of royalties.
The General Mining Act of 1872
The type of mining that has the least environmental impact is _________________.
solution
A baby born today will consume ________ pounds of minerals in its lifetime.
2.9 million
Uses running water to sift through riverbeds
placer
Heating ore beyond its melting point and combining it with other metals or chemicals is called ________________
smelting
What year was the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act passed in the USA?
1977
What are one of the reasons that tantalum (aka coltan) is used in cell phones.
-its ability to resist heat
-its ability to store energy
-its ability to readily conduct electricity
What is one of the factors that affects how long mineral deposits may last?
1) Discovery of new reserves
2) New Extraction Technologies
3) Changing social and technological dynamics
4) Changing consumption patterns
5) Recycling