QUIZ #3 - Mining - on 2/8

Question 1

Crustal abundance

Answer 1

average concentration of an element in Earth’s crust

Question 2

what 4 elements constitute over 88% of the crust

Answer 2

oxygen, silicon, aluminium, and iron

Question 3

ores

Answer 3

concentrated accumulations of minerals from which economically valuable materials can be extracted.

Question 4

metals

Answer 4

elements with properties that allow them to conduct electricity and heat energy and to perform other important functions

Question 5

The lower the concentration and accessibility of an ore is, the

Answer 5

greater the energy expended and disturbance created, leading to more air pollution, waste, and soil disturbance and erosion.

Question 6

reserve

Answer 6

the known quantity of the resource that can be economically recovered

Question 7

What metal has never been mined in the United States

Answer 7

tantalum

Question 8

surface mining methods

Answer 8

strip mining
mine tailings
open-pit mining
mountaintop removal
placer mining

Question 9

strip mining

Answer 9

the removal of overlying vegetation and “strips” of soil and rock to expose underlying ore

-makes area susceptible to erosion

Question 10

mine tailings

Answer 10

unwanted waste material created during mining including mineral and other rock residues that are left behind after the desired metals are removed from the ore

Question 11

open-pit mining

Answer 11

a technique that creates a large visible pit or hole in the ground

Question 12

mountaintop removal

Answer 12

a mining technique in which the entire top of a mountain is removed with explosives

Question 13

placer mining

Answer 13

the process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediments

Question 14

subsurface mining

Answer 14

mining techniques used when the desired resource is more than 100 m (328 ft) below the surface of the Earth.

-more economically expensive than surface miing

Question 15

Where can you find one of the largest open-pit mines, Kennecott Bingham Canyon

Answer 15

Salt Lake City, Utah

Question 16

Where was one of the most popular places for the Gold Rush

Answer 16

Placer County, California

Question 17

Surface mining effects: air

Answer 17

significant dust and particulate matter from earth-moving equipment

Question 18

Surface mining effects: water

Answer 18

contamination of water that percolates through tailings

Question 19

Surface mining effects: soil

Answer 19

most soil removed from site; may be replaced if reclamation occurs

Question 20

Surface mining effects: biodiversity

Answer 20

habitat alteration and destruction over the surface areas that are mined

Question 21

Surface mining effects: humans

Answer 21

minimal in the mining process, but the air quality and water quality can be adversely affected near the mining operation

Question 23

Subsurface mining effects: air

Answer 23

minimal dust at the mining site, but emissions from fossil fuels used to power mining equipment can be significant

Question 24

Subsurface mining effects: water

Answer 24

acid mine drainage as well as contamination of water that percolates through tailings

Question 25

Subsurface mining effects: soil

Answer 25

N/A

Question 26

Subsurface mining effects: biodiversity

Answer 26

road construction to mines fragments habitat

Question 27

Subsurface mining effects: humans

Answer 27

occupational hazards in mine; possibility of death or chronic respiratory diseases such as black lung disease