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Pearson 8: Science B > Natural Resources: Rocks and Minerals (Unit 4) > Flashcards

Natural Resources: Rocks and Minerals (Unit 4) Flashcards

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1
Q

Luster Definition

A

The way light interacts with the surface of a rock or mineral

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2
Q

Vitreous Definition

A

Glassy

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3
Q

What types of luster may different rocks and minerals used in jewelry have?

A

Metallic, vitreous, or pearly luster

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4
Q

Why do we analyze the properties of rocks and minerals in order to determine usage? What are some properties that we analyze?

A

Rocks and minerals have several properties that can be analyzed to determine how useful a resource is for different applications. Some of these properties are hardness, density, luster, magnetism, cleavage, and fracture.

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5
Q

Hardness Definition

A

A mineral’s ability to resist scratching

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6
Q

Density Definition

A

The ratio between a mineral’s mass and its volume

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7
Q

Magnetism Definition

A

How a mineral reacts when placed within a magnetic field

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8
Q

Cleavage Definition

A

Tendency of a mineral to break along smooth planes

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9
Q

Fracture Definition

A

Tendency of a mineral to break along surfaces that are not smooth

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10
Q

Hardness can be measured using which scale? What are the properties of this scale?

A

Hardness can be measured using the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, developed by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs. He assigned the values 1−10 to various minerals, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Other minerals are ranked based on their ability to scratch one another.

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11
Q

What is the hardness of a human fingernail?

A

2.5

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12
Q

True or False: Density refers to how tightly an object’s atoms are packed together

A

True

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13
Q

What is luster based on? What is it related to?

A

Luster is based on the appearance of the sample. Luster is related not to the color or shape of the sample, but rather its transparency and light reflection or refraction.

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14
Q

What is the mineral property of transparency?

A

Transparency refers to the amount of light that passes through a sample. Transparent means that all light passes through. Translucent means that some light passes through. Opaque means that no light passes through.

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15
Q

What does reflective and refraction refer to?

A

Reflective means that light bounces off of a sample. Refraction refers to how light bends as it passes through the sample.

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16
Q

What are the two main types of luster?

A

metallic and non-metallic.

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17
Q

What is the appearance of a rock or mineral with a metallic luster?

A

A rock or mineral that looks like a shiny metal has metallic luster.
A rock or mineral that has metallic luster is opaque and reflective.

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18
Q

What is submetallic luster?

A

Some rocks and minerals are submetallic. A sample with submetallic luster has the appearance of a dull metal.

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19
Q

What is non-metallic luster?

A

A rock or mineral with non-metallic luster doesn’t look like a metal at all. Non-metallic luster is divided into several sub-types.

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20
Q

How many subtypes is nonmetallic luster divided into?

A

9

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21
Q

Adamantine Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Translucent with a sparkly appearance

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22
Q

Adamantine example:

A

Diamond

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23
Q

Dull Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Opaque, no reflection

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24
Q

Earthy Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks like soil or clay

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25
Q

Greasy Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks to be coated in oil

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26
Q

Pearly Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Has the sheen of a pearl

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27
Q

Resinous Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks like amber; not guide glassy

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28
Q

Silky Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks like silk: fine parallel fibers of mineral

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29
Q

Vitreous Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks like glass

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30
Q

Waxy Definition (Nonmetallic)

A

Looks like wax

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31
Q

What magnetic properties can a mineral have?

A

Minerals can have no magnetism, be attracted to a metallic field, or be repelled from a magnetic field.

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32
Q

What does magnetic attraction refer to?

A

Magnetic attraction refers to the object moving towards a magnet when placed nearby.

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33
Q

True or False: Only one mineral, bismuth, is known to repel from a magnetic field

A

True

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34
Q

What are minerals?

A

Minerals are inorganic solids that occur naturally. They have an exact chemical makeup and a specific structure.

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35
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of quartz?

A

Quartz is the most abundant mineral and is found all over the world. Quartz is extremely resistant to weathering and heat. It is often used in glassmaking and electronics and as a gemstone.

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36
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of turquoise?

A

Turquoise is one of the most recognizable minerals because of its coloring. Turquoise is often used as a gemstone in jewelry.

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37
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of diamond?

A

Diamonds are one of the hardest known substances. They are chemically resistant and conduct a high level of heat. Because of their strength, diamonds have many industrial uses, such as cutting, drilling, and grinding. Diamonds are the world’s most popular gemstone.

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38
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of copper?

A

Copper is a mineral that is rarely found in large amounts. Copper is very malleable. Prehistoric people used it to make tools. Copper is a great conductor and is used in electrical wiring and cooking utensils.

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39
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of talc?

A

Talc is the softest mineral. Soapstone, a form of talc, can be easily carved to make objects. Talcum powder absorbs moisture and odor. Talc is also used in roofing materials, plastics, and rubbers.

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40
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of hematite?

A

Hematite is an abundant mineral. It is the most important ore of iron. The luster can vary from earthy to metallic, yet it always produces a reddish streak. Hematite is used to produce pigments, radiation shielding, and more.

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41
Q

What are the characteristics and qualities of asbestos? Why has its use been limited?

A

Asbestos is a mineral with thin fibers that are strong, flexible, and resistant to heat and chemicals. Asbestos was mainly used in the construction of homes and commercial buildings. The use of asbestos has declined as it has been linked to lung disease.

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42
Q

Element Definition

A

a naturally occurring substance that cannot be broken down further through chemical processes

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43
Q

True or False: A mineral is made of one or more elements that can be broken down through chemical processes

A

True

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44
Q

True or False: A rock is made of two or more minerals.

A

True

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45
Q

What is an ore?

A

An ore is a substance from which metal or valuable minerals can be extracted.

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46
Q

What properties have made gold a prominent mineral in a human history?

A

Gold has held importance for most of human history. Its properties have something to do with that—it doesn’t rust or corrode.

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47
Q

How did the discovery of gold in 1849 affect family life?

A

The discovery of this mineral affected the makeup of the surrounding towns. Most of the people traveling to California to mine for gold were men. The women who stayed behind took on new responsibilities, such as farming and running businesses.

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48
Q

What are rare-earth elements, such as yttrium, used for? Why are they considered rare? Why are people looking for ways to reuse these elements?

A

Rare-earth elements, such as yttrium, are used in many technologies, including smartphones, car batteries, and wind turbines. Rare-earth elements are vital to these technologies but are dangerous to mine. Their rarity comes not from the amount available but from the difficulty in extracting them. Their extraction can produce radioactive materials which are hazardous to human health and the environment. Because of the risks involved in mining rare-earth elements, people are looking for ways to reuse them and for ways the technologies can work without these elements.

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49
Q

Why were diamonds thought to be rare?

A

Diamonds are considered rare because one company had a monopoly on diamond mines for decades. This allowed the company to advertise that diamonds were rare, thus controlling the price. However, diamonds are relatively abundant.

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50
Q

How does the discovery of minerals impact local economies? What was the boomtown of Bodie, California? What is its history?

A

Discoveries of mineral resources have a large impact on local economies. In the 1800s, boomtowns like Bodie, California, expanded rapidly as people relocated there to take advantage of the discovery of gold. Mining provided employment opportunities, and other industries expanded in order to service the growing population. At its height in 1879, Bodie was home to about 8,500 people and hosted stores, saloons, churches, and a bank. Once the gold mines were depleted, however, people moved on to new towns. In just seven years, Bodie’s population had decreased to 1,500 people. By the 1950s, Bodie was a true ghost town with a population of zero.

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51
Q

How has a mining boom been helping Australia? How does the abundance of minerals affect the time the boom lasts?

A

Mining booms continue today as demand for certain minerals increases and as mineral deposits are discovered. Western Australia experienced booms in the 1800s and 1900s as it mined and exported minerals like gold, iron, and diamonds. As new technologies have developed that rely on minerals like tantalum and lithium, Western Australia is experiencing a new mining boom. Mining these resources has provided a boost for the Australian economy in the short term, but people are mindful that the boom can only last as long as the mineral resources do.

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52
Q

How can human activity shape rocks and minerals?

A

Rocks and minerals shape human activity, but some human activity shapes rocks and minerals, too. For example, andersonite crystals form on the walls of uranium mines, while abhurite forms when bronze artifacts react with seawater. You may even see artificial rocks like plastiglomerate, a mixture of lava rock and melted plastic.

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53
Q

What are the properties of silica sand? How would you describe its impact?

A

Silica sand is one example of a mineral that has a large impact on human activity due to its many uses. You may have seen silica gel packets, which rely on silica’s moisture-absorbing properties. This mineral is also abrasive, meaning it is rough and can be used to polish a surface.

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54
Q

How is silica sand used in fracking?

A

Now, scientists have found a way to use silica’s ability to withstand high pressures. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a method of extracting oil and gas by injecting rocks with a liquid at high pressure. Frac sand is pure silica and is used as a proppant in fracking—it props open the fractures within the rock. While using frac sand enables companies to recover more oil and gas, it comes at an environmental cost. Some groups seek to protect the sand dune ecosystems that are affected by silica sand mining.

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55
Q

True or False: glass is made from melting sand that has a high silica content. One property of such sand is that it has a very high melting point, but once it cools, it does not revert back to its original granular opaque appearance. The melted silica is transparent glass. The other minerals in the sand will give the glass its color.

A

True

56
Q

What happened to the sand dune Hoosier Slide?

A

With a two-mile circumference and at 200 feet high, Hoosier Slide was the largest sand dune. That’s a mountain of sand! People loved to visit and picnic on its peak. Starting in 1890, it took only 30 years to completely wipe out this dune.

57
Q

How is phosphorus influential to agriculture?

A

Phosphorous is another example of a mined mineral that has greatly influenced human activity. Phosphorous is a necessary nutrient for all living things. Phosphorous is found in every cell in the human body, especially in bones. Plants also depend on phosphorous in order to grow, and phosphorous is a key ingredient in fertilizers. As the human population continues to increase, phosphate fertilizers are crucial to growing enough food to feed all people.

58
Q

What effects have phosphorus mining caused in Nauru?

A

While phosphate used to be derived mainly from bones, people now rely on mining phosphate rock for this important mineral. The United States, China, Morocco, and Russia are the four largest producers of phosphate, and phosphate mining provides jobs and economic benefits for people in these areas. However, it comes with environmental costs. For example, after decades of phosphate mining, 80 percent of the island nation of Nauru was strip-mined. The phosphate reserves ran out by the year 2000, and the island is not able to grow enough food for its population due to the environmental damage.

59
Q

Why is marble often used for sculptures?

A

Marble is often used for sculptures because of is translucence and ability to be highly polished

60
Q

Why is Aluminum used in aircraft?

A

Aluminum is used in aircraft because it is both strong and lightweight

61
Q

Why is stainless steel used for appliances?

A

Stainless steel is used for appliances because it is durable and resists corrosion

62
Q

What are the two types of mining?

A

Surface mining and underground mining

63
Q

What is surface mining?

A

Surface mining involves stripping surface vegetation, dirt, bedrock and other layers of the earth to reach ore deposits underneath.

64
Q

What is underground mining, or deep mining?

A

Underground mining, or deep mining, involves drilling deep below the surface to extract ores.

65
Q

Surface Mining Definition

A

The practice of stripping layers of the Earth to reach ore deposits underneath

66
Q

Underground Mining Definition

A

The practice of drilling deep below the Earth’s surface to extract ores

67
Q

In what two categories do the impacts of mining fall in?

A

Land impacts and water pollution

68
Q

True or False: Approximately 30 percent of all energy in the United States is derived from coal.

A

True

69
Q

How are the effects of Underground mining seen with the first coal mine in Ansted, West Virginia?

A

In the 1800s, the first coal mining in Ansted was done in underground mines. This occurred beneath the water table. Water flowed into the mine and had to be pumped out. As the water was pumped out of the mine, the water table was lowered. This caused the water supply of nearby streams to decrease. Underground mining can be very unsafe. If there is not enough oxygen, or explosive gases are released, lives are in danger. After all of the coal had been extracted, the mines collapsed. This created a depression in the land and caused sinkholes.

70
Q

Why did surface mining replace underground mining in Ansted? What does this show about the benefits of surface mining?

A

Surface mining gradually replaced underground coal mining in Ansted during the 1990s. This occurred because it was cheaper, safer for people, and more efficient.

71
Q

How are the effects of Surface mining seen in Ansted, West Virginia?

A

Before the area was mined for coal, large areas of land were completely cleared of all trees and topsoil. The habitats of animals were eliminated. Removal of topsoil caused soil erosion and landslides. As workers dug to retrieve the coal, particulates were released, causing air pollution. Harsh chemicals were used to extract the precious resource underground. These chemicals contaminated the groundwater as well as local streams and creeks. The contamination extended miles from the mining site, affecting wildlife and polluting drinking water.

72
Q

Today, for every ton of coal that is mined through surface mining, how many tons of Earth have been removed? Where is this Earth dumped? How has mountaintop removal effected Appalachia? How do these factors effect the environment?

A

Today, for every 1 ton of coal that is mined, 16 tons of earth have been removed. This earth is dumped into stream valleys. Mountaintop removal has buried over 2,000 miles of streams in Appalachia. Heavy metals and other toxins are released from the rocks into the environment.

73
Q

What condition is land left after surface mining?

A

Land left after the mining is so degraded it is not fit for vegetation. Though federal laws now require that the land be revitalized, there are many issues around accomplishing this.

74
Q

True or False: often, the most ore will be taken out during surface mining

A

True

75
Q

True or False: surface mining is “messier” but easier

A

True

76
Q

True or False: underground mining is less destructive

A

True

77
Q

What are the effects of surface mining?

A
  • Soil erosion and possible landslides

- Land degradation

78
Q

What are the effects of underground mining?

A
  • Lowered water table

- Depression of land and sinkholes

79
Q

What effects do both underground and surface mining share?

A
  • Water pollution

- Deforestation and loss of habitats

80
Q

Surface Mining — Soil erosion and possible landslides

A

Land left after the mining is so degraded it is not fit for vegetation. Though federal laws now require that the land be revitalized, there are many issues around accomplishing this.

81
Q

Surface Mining — Land Degradation

A

Land left after the mining is so degraded it is not fit for vegetation. Though federal laws now require that the land be revitalized, there are many issues around accomplishing this.

82
Q

Underground Mining — Lowered Water Table

A

Because underground mining takes place beneath the water table, water will flow into the mine and must then be pumped out. This process ultimately lowers the water table. This leads to a reduction of water in nearby rivers and streams.

83
Q

Underground Mining — Depression of land and sinkholes

A

Underground mining involves extracting mineral deposits from deep within Earth. When the mining is finished, the mines will collapse. This leads to land depression, or sinking land, which can affect nearby buildings. It can also cause major sinkholes.

84
Q

Surface and Underground — Water Pollution

A

In both surface and underground mining, chemicals used to extract minerals seep into the soil and eventually reach and contaminate the groundwater. Loosened soil and other sediments may also pollute local streams and rivers, harming wildlife and perhaps sources of drinking water.

85
Q

Surface and Underground — Deforestation and loss of Habitats

A

Deforestation occurs with both surface and underground mining. Prior to mining for metals, the land must be cleared. Forests are destroyed, and animals’ natural habitats are decimated. Entire ecosystems are disrupted.

86
Q

What are the two main types of surface mining? What is done and used in each? What is the overburden? Where is it dumped?

A

Two common types of surface mining are open-pit and mountaintop removal. For either of these types of mining, huge areas of land are completely cleared, destroying entire ecosystems. Digging is done in the open by various types of heavy machinery. The vast amounts of material dug up to expose the seam of ore that is being mined, called the overburden, needs to be disposed of. Sometimes this is dumped downhill from the mine itself, further destroying land ecosystems. The overburden may also be dumped on areas or strips that have already been mined.

87
Q

Overburden Definition

A

The rock or soil that needs to be removed to expose seams of ore

88
Q

What effects does releasing the overburden from surface mining have on water?

A

Releasing the overburden into the environment often has severely negative effects on water. Local waterways suffer from the impact of increased sediment runoff. In many cases, contaminants like acids or heavy metals leach from the overburden into groundwater or become part of runoff into local waterways.

89
Q

How does underground mining effect water? What happens to the water used in underground mining? What would happen if it were released?

A

Water is important for clearing underground mine tunnels and for processing the ore being mined. In some cases, acids or other chemicals are added to water to separate the ore from the surrounding rock. The storage and cleanup of this contaminated water is a major issue. Often the water is stored in large, above-ground lakes, dammed off to prevent runoff from contaminating the area. In some cases, the breakdown of such a dam causes an environmental catastrophe that results in significant loss of life and severe environmental destruction.

90
Q

True or False: Underground mining has the highest probability of reclamation success

A

True

91
Q

True or False: Underground mining can release dangerous methane gas

A

True

92
Q

Are surface mining operations statewide? Approximately how many acres of land have been surfaced mined in the United States?

A

There are surface mining operations in every state. Approximately 8.4 million acres of land have been surface mined in the United States.

93
Q

How were surface mines treated before land reclamation? What is land reclamation? What is it intended to do?

A

For many years, mines were simply abandoned, leaving huge scars on local landscapes. Land reclamation is the effort to restore the land from a mining site. Land reclamation is intended to mitigate the environmental damage caused by surface mining.

94
Q

Land Reclamation Definition

A

To restore land degraded from mining operations

95
Q

Mitigate Definition

A

To offset, make less serve, or alleviate

96
Q

Before the 1970s, what problems did states run into when attempting to regulate surface mining and recover degraded lands? In 1977, what was the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act? What did it state? How did it change the permitting process?

A

Before the 1970s, states attempted to legislate and regulate efforts to recover environmentally damaged lands. However there were many issues with setting standards and measuring results. In 1977, the federal government got involved by passing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA). Though this legislation was applicable to just coal mines, it became the foundation for setting standards for all surface mining reclamation. Now a mining company must get a permit before mining can begin. As part of that permitting process, the company must present a detailed reclamation plan for the area when the mine is closed.

97
Q

True or False: reclaimed land might be transformed into a ski resort or even an amusement park

A

True

98
Q

Despite underground mining being here for hundreds of years, when did surface mining start?

A

Underground mining has been around for hundreds of years, but surface mining started in the mid-1900s

99
Q

Why was it hard for U.S. States to enforce their own Reclamation laws?

A

Various U.S. states enacted laws that mandated mining companies returned the land to its natural state after mining. Interpreting and enforcing these laws was difficult. Many mining companies still simply abandoned the land. Others did a minimum of reclamation work by dumping overburden back into the mined area.

100
Q

True or False: The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was enacted in 1977. This was the first federal action toward mitigating the ill-effects of surface mining.

A

True

101
Q

Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, what must the plan for reclamation include?

A

Under this federal act, mining companies are required to plan for land reclamation before receiving a permit for mining. The plan must include possible-use scenarios.

102
Q

Although much land has been reclaimed, what issues remain from prior to the 1977 regulations? What is being done to fix this?

A

Though much land has been reclaimed, there are still issues of discarded soil and acid mine drainage from prior to the 1977 regulations. Efforts are underway to reclaim these abandoned mining lands and to restore the natural habitats of animals.

103
Q

True or False: Land reclamation can help mitigate the limp act, but it does not solve all problems

A

True

104
Q

What are the three major components in reclaiming land from surface mining operations?

A

To reclaim land from surface mining operations, there are three major components. A first step is replacing and reforming land where digging has been done. Another component is the cleanup of environmental hazards and contamination, particularly of water. Lastly is either revitalizing ecosystems through appropriate vegetation and wildlife introduction or development of land for appropriate use.

105
Q

What are the goals of land reclamation?

A
  • removal of hazardous materials or environmental dangers to the public
  • restoration of local wildlife and environmental engineering to promote local ecosystem health
  • repurposing land to add economic value to local communities
106
Q

True or False: there remain millions of acres of land scarred by mines that are no longer operational

A

True

107
Q

Land Reclamation Issues — Standards and Measurements

A

During the permitting process, a detailed plan for reclamation is agreed to. A challenge to developing this plan is arriving at agreements about exactly how successful reclamation will be defined and monitored. To establish standards and measurements of success, the advice and skill of a large range of experts, including soil scientists, hydrologists, engineers, aquatic biologists, and water quality specialists, is sought.

108
Q

Land Reclamation Issues — Conflicts of Interest

A

The mining company’s main interest is to profit from the mining of a resource. The role of the mining company in reclamation is imposed by government via setting permit requirements. This is a basic conflict of interest. Certainly it is more profitable for a mining company to keep reclamation efforts to a minimum when there is no profit to be had.

109
Q

Land Reclamation Issues — Cost

A

Reclamation can be very expensive, often running to more than $1.5 million for a small site. Funding for reclamation can come from a variety of sources. The primary source is the mining company itself. Other sources of funds include federal grants, government-collected mining fees, partnerships for development (if the land will have a commercial use), and environmental nonprofit organization grants. A particular challenge is finding the funding for reclaiming mines long ago abandoned by the original mining company.

110
Q

What do mining companies claim about mining and reclamation? Are they correct?

A

Mining companies claim that mining is a temporary impact on the environment, that reclamation does successfully mitigate these impacts and that there are many success stories. In many cases, large areas of land have been successfully restored to thriving ecosystems or repurposed to other uses.

111
Q

Does land reclamation successfully mitigate the environmental impacts of surface mining?

A

Certainly any effort to reclaim land is better than simple abandonment. However, analysis of the success of land reclamation efforts should inform decisions about permitting new mining operations.

112
Q

About 90% of the mined phosphate is used for what? What is the other 10% used for?

A

About 90 percent of the phosphate rock mined is used to create fertilizer. The rest is used by the chemical industry for beverages, fire fighting products, medicines, dental products, batteries, paint, porcelain products, cleaning agents, and cosmetics.

113
Q

Why does the farming industry need phosphate?

A

The farming industry needs phosphate to fertilize crops, which are needed for food.

114
Q

True or False: The reclamation rules include removing mining debris, contouring the land to remove steep slopes, and establishing vegetation to prevent erosion.

A

True

115
Q

What is wetland mitigation?

A

Wetland mitigation is an action taken to replace a wetland that has been impacted by mining.

116
Q

What are the effects of phosphate mining?

A

Phosphate mining produces large amounts of waste that includes toxic metals and radioactive elements. The runoff from the mining site contaminates local waterways.

117
Q

What are phosphate mining’s effects on water?

A

In our county, studies show that waterways downstream from the phosphate mine have increased levels of metals like lead. Our aquifers feed underground wells that provide drinking water for me and others in my community. If these studies are true, the mining company is intentionally poisoning our community.

118
Q

What do we use silica sand for, in terms of devices?

A

Smartphone screens

119
Q

How did the Copiapó mining incident in 2010 highlight the need for mining safety?

A

In 2010, a gold and copper mine collapsed in Copiapó, Chile. Thirty-three miners were trapped 2,300 feet underground for a record 69 days. Rescuers drilled a narrow borehole to provide needed supplies to the trapped miners then worked to drill a wider shaft and a special capsule to bring the miners back to the surface. People all over the world followed the story of the men, who sent video messages to the surface and worked together to keep up their morale. All 33 miners survived the ordeal, but the Copiapó incident highlights the real risks that must be managed in mining.

120
Q

What is used in longwall mines? (Underground Mining method)

A

In longwall mines, hydraulic supports are used to hold up the roof while miners cut away ore from rectangular block.

121
Q

What is used in room-and pillar mines? (Underground Mining Method)

A

In room-and-pillar mines, columns of ore are left in place to support the roof while ore in between the columns is removed.

122
Q

Regardless of the method used, what gas does underground mining release? What effects can this gas cause? What could happen to the oxygen in the mines if there is a poor ventilation system?

A

Regardless of the method used, underground mining can release methane gas. This gas can cause explosions underground if the gas ignites. Without excellent ventilation systems, gases like methane can build up and oxygen can become depleted.

123
Q

How does coal dust pose a threat in underground mining?

A

Coal dust is easily ignited, which creates another risk for mine
explosions and underground fires.

124
Q

What is rock burst? How does it pose a threat in underground mining?

A

Rock burst is also a threat in underground mines. Rock masses underground are under tremendous pressure. Drilling a mining shaft or removing material can cause rock to suddenly dislodge or explode away from the walls of the mine. Rock burst can lead to mine collapse.

125
Q

In the United States, what are most mining injuries and fatalities caused by? How does noise-induced hearing loss pose a threat?

A

In the United States, the majority of mining injuries and fatalities are not caused by falling rock or explosions, but by heavy machinery and transportation equipment. Noise-induced hearing loss is another occupational risk related to the use of heavy equipment.

126
Q

How is the overburden removed in strip mining and open-pit mining? (Surface Mining)

A

The overburden may be removed in a long strip (strip mining) or in a large pit (open-pit mining).

127
Q

How does the risk of ground instability compare between surface mining and underground mining?

A

Ground instability is a risk in surface mining, but it is not as dangerous in surface mines as in underground mines.

128
Q

In what ways is surface mining safer than underground mining?

A

Surface mining carries significantly less risk of mine collapse, fires, or explosions than underground mining. Surface mining also has fewer ventilation challenges than underground mining.

129
Q

How does the risk of noise-induced hearing loss compare between surface mining and underground mining?

A

Compared to underground mining, surface mining requires similar heavy equipment and comes with a similar risk of noise- induced hearing loss.

130
Q

How does UV exposure pose a threat in surface mining?

A

Workers in surface mines do have a greater risk of UV exposure from the sun compared to underground miners.

131
Q

What is black lung and silicosis? How does this effect mine workers?

A

Black lung, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis or CWP, is a respiratory disease. It is caused by breathing in coal dust in large quantities or over a long period of time. The dust particles cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs over the years and can even be fatal. A similar disease, silicosis, occurs in people who inhale large amounts of silica dust. CWP and silicosis can occur in both underground and surface mining if proper safety measures are not taken. There is no cure for these diseases, so patients may be treated with inhalers, oxygen, or lung transplants.

132
Q

What are tailings? What are Tailings dams? What happens if these dams break?

A

Tailings are the chemicals and dust particles left over from extracting valuable minerals from mined ore. Tailings dams hold in tailings ponds where these leftover toxic materials are stored. If these tailings dams break, the flood of toxic sludge can cause death and destruction.

133
Q

What happened when the tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil broke in January 2019?

A

When the tailings dam in Brumadinho, Brazil, broke in January 2019, three billion gallons of mining waste caused an environmental disaster and hundreds of deaths. Safety standards for mines therefore affect not only miners, but also surrounding communities.

134
Q

Tailings Dam Definition

A

Structure used to hold the chemicals and dust particles left over from extracting valuable minerals from mined ore

135
Q

True or False: Over 300,000 people in the U.S. work in the mining industry

A

True

136
Q

True or False: The risks they face have changed over time along with technology and safety standards.

A

True

Pearson 8: Science B (7 decks)

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