Chapter 23 - Minerals and Mining Flashcards
rock
a solid aggregation of minerals
mineral
a naturally occurring solid element or inorganic compound with a crystal structure, a specific chemical composition, and distinct physical properties
mining
(1) in the broad sense, the extraction of any resource that is nonrenewable on the timescale of our society (such as fossil fuels or ground water). (2) in relation to mineral resources, the systematic removal of rock, soil, or other materials for the purpose of extracting minerals of economic interest
ore
a mineral or grouping of minerals from which we extract metals
smelting
a process in which ore is heated beyond its melting point and combined with other metals or chemicals, in order to form metal with desired characteristics. steel is formed by smelting iron ore with carbon, for example
tailing
portions of ore left over after metals have been extracted in mining
surface impoundment
(1) a disposal method for hazardous waste or mining waste in which waste in liquid or slurry form is placed into a shallow depression lined with impervious materials such as clay and allowed to evaporate, leaving a solid residue on the bottom. (2) the site of such disposal
strip mining
the use of heavy machinery to remove huge amounts of earth to expose coal or minerals. which are mined out directly
subsurface mining
method of mining underground deposits of coal, minerals, or fuels, in which shafts are dug deeply into the ground and networks of tunnels are dug or blasted out to follow coal seams
acid drainage
a process in which sulfide minerals in newly exposed rock surfaces react with oxygen and rainwater to produce sulfuric acid, which causes chemical runoff as it leaches metals from the rocks, it is a naturally occurring phenomenon, but mining greatly accelerate it by exposing new surface
open pit mining
a mining technique that involves digging a gigantic hole and removing the desired ore, along with surrounding waste rock
placer mining
a mining technique that involves sifting through new and ancient river deposits, generally using water to separate lightweight mud and gravel from heavier minerals of value
mountaintop removal mining
a large-scale form of coal mining in which entire mountaintops are removed. causes huge environmental impacts on local species and communities
reclamation
the act of restoring a mining site to its pre-mining condition. to reclaim, companies are forced to remove all structures used for mining, replace overburden, fill in shafts, and replant area with vegetation
general mining act of 1872
U.S. law that legalized and promoted mining by private individuals on public land for just $5 per acre, subject to local customs, with no government oversight
