Resource Futures-Ore minerals Flashcards
Technological
Exploration - strategies for finding minerals are improving, e.g. using remote sensing and 3D imaging. However, an increase in the number of mines will have an environmental impact.
Extraction more efficient machinery and developments in robotics could allow minerals to be extracted more quickly and effectively, e.g. using driverless vehicles. Phytomining is when plants are grown to absorb copper compounds from the soil, then burnt to extract the copper. This can allow low-grade ores to be exploited.
Economic
If supply falls or demand increases, price will increase this will increase the price of goods, and may hinder some countries’ economic development if they can’t afford the minerals they need.
Recycling of minerals is sometimes limited by economic cost, but it may become more common as ore reserves are depleted.
Some mineral reserves have not yet been exploited for economic reasons. However, as more accessible reserves are depleted, it may be necessary to invest in mineral extraction at more difficult sites.
Environmental
Resource frontiers - depleting resources may mean that resource frontiers are exploited. This could have environmental impacts, e.g. deep sea mining could disrupt marine ecosystems and pollute oceans.
Fragile environments-environmentally sensitive areas are being exploited. E.g. China is investing in large-scale mining operations in the Tibetan plateau. This has led to degradation of the local environment, and is negatively affecting local people’s livelihoods and quality of life.
There may be conflict between TNCS and governments pushing for economic development and environmental groups who are concerned about the impacts of mining.
