Mining for Minerals

Question 1

How are rocks used in everyday life

Answer 1

They are mostly used as a building materials for roads, cars and pathways

Question 2

Mineral Ore

Answer 2

A special type of rock containing large amounts of a particular mineral

Question 3

How do they find mineral ores

Answer 3

Geologists use satellites, radars, and other sensors to search for geological features indicating minerals. Drilling is also used

Question 4

How are mineral ores extracted

Answer 4

Through open cut mining and underground mining

Question 5

Open cut mining

Answer 5

This usually happens when mineral deposits are close to the surface. It involvesblastingand removing surface layers of soil and rock to reach the mineral deposit

Question 6

Underground Mining

Answer 6

Involves creating tunnels from the surface into the mineral seam, which can be hundreds of metres below the surface.

Question 7

Overburden

Answer 7

Is the natural rock and soil that sits above and around the ore body.

Question 8

Advantages and Disadvantages of Open-Cut mining

Answer 8

Advantages: A coal recovery rate of 90%, is much safer Disadvantages: Much more overburden, groundwater requires draining and is damaging to the environment

Question 9

Advantages and Disadvantages of Underground mining

Answer 9

Advantages: Doesn’t damage the environment, quicker access to coal, can reach deeper seams, Disadvantages: More dangerous, more expensive, lower coal recovery rate

Question 10

How are mining sites rehabilitated

Answer 10

Before mining seeds of the natural vegetation are collected so that seedlings can be cultivated afterward. In open-cut mining, overburden is used to fill in the hole and fresh topsoil is applied.

Question 11

How is the mineral seperated from the ore