Minerals
What is a mineral?
A naturally-occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical compounds and internal structure, found within the Earth's crust.
Mineral deposits can often form when ______________ cools
magma
Surface mining typically is used for mineral deposits located here
At or close to the Earth's surface
Subsurface mining is typically used for mineral deposits located here
Greater than 100 meters (300 feet) below Earth's surface?
The process of restoring a mine site to its original state (or as close as possible)
reclamation
A mineral which is a good insulator and are often used in building or construction
nonmetallic minerals
Hydrothermal solutions require warm water underground, therefore they often form near these structures
volcanoes
Two examples of surface mining
Open-pit mining, Strip mining, or Mountaintop removal, Quarrying
A type of subsurface mining that involves a shearer removing rock from a wall in an underground mine, and removing it from the mine on a conveyor.
Longwall Mining
A federal law that protects certain species from being affected by mining operations.
Endangered Species Act
Copper, iron, and aluminum are all examples of this type of minerals
metallic minerals
The method of mineral formation that would occur in very dry climates. Halite & Gypsum are formed this way.
evaporites
A type of surface mining that involves blasting the top of a mountain before removing rocks and minerals.
Mountaintop removal
A type of subsurface mining where entries are dug underground, while beams of rock are left to support the ground above.
Room & Pillar Mining
Subsidence (sink holes).
Hydrothermal solutions contain dissolved minerals which eventually cool in the cracks in rocks, forming these
veins
Three types of pollution caused by surface mining.
Air pollution, noise pollution and water pollution
A common method for exploring the location of mineral deposits located underground involves three steps.
1. Data Collection
2. Rock Testing
3. Test Drilling
The method of purifying metallic mineral ore by extremely hot temperatures, creating great amounts of air pollution and requiring a large amount of fossil fuels
smelting
The clear/colorless mineral is found in drywall and plaster, is nonmetallic, and is an evaporite.
Gypsum
Minerals forming when erosion moves rocks to the bottom of a body of water, and minerals crystallize here.
Sedimentary formation
The rocks and soil removed from the mining site that are located above the mineral deposit
Overburden
An example of a health impact to miners in subsurface mines
black lung disease, asbestosis, or silicosis (lung diseases)
States issue _______ to mining companies that specify certain standards for mine design operation, and reclamation. While mining is occurring, states can come perform ________, or check-ups, to ensure the mining companies are still abiding by the laws.
Permits, inspections.