Unit 5: Mining

Question 1

Mine tailings

Answer 1

Unwanted waste material created during mining remaining after ore removal.

Question 2

Ore

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Metals

Answer 3

An element with properties that allow it to conduct electricity and heat energy and other important functions.

Question 4

What is a reserve?

Answer 4

In resource management, the known quantity of a resource that can be economically recovered (can be profitably mined).

Question 5

Strip mining

Answer 5

The removal of strips of soil and rock to reveal ore, used when it is close and parallel to the surface. Ex: Coal and sand

Question 6

Open-pit mining

Answer 6

Creating a large visible hole or pit in the ground, used when close to surface but extends horizontal and vertical. Ex: Copper mines

Question 7

Mountaintop removal mining

Answer 7

Miners remove the top of a mountain with explosives. Ex: Coal mining

Question 8

Placer mining

Answer 8

The process of looking for minerals, metals, and precious stones in river sediment. Ex: California gold rush

Question 9

Horizontal tunnels mining

Answer 9

A tunnel is dug into a mountain or other feature, then elevators are used vertically to the feature. Ex: Coal, diamonds, gold

Question 10

Overburden

Answer 10

Soil and rock that are on top of ore and must be removed.

Question 11

Spoils

Answer 11

Overburden once removed from the land in a pile.

Question 12

Fracking

Answer 12

Type of subsurface mining

Question 13

Acid mine drainage

Answer 13

The leakage of water containing toxic materials from coal and metal mines.