EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 1

EARTH SCIENCE
Quarter 1 - Module 6
MINERALS AND ITS IMPORTANCE TO SOCIETY

WHAT IS THIS MODULE ABOUT?

Welcome to the module that explains the importance of minerals to society and how these mineral ores are
found, mined and processed for human used. Several studies have found that the common Tao have always
used mineral resources from the earth since time immemorial. Ores and gems are minerals mined from the
Earth to provide humans advantages. Each of these minerals are described well to give the reader information
with regards to its usage and importance to civilization. Likewise, a portion of this module will discuss where
we can find these ore minerals, how to extract them from the ground and in what manner it will be converted
into products that would benefit mankind. Indeed, this module will truly rock your brainpowers for it contains
activities solely crafted to let you stay on the hook and enjoy. Moreover, this Module contains the most
essential competencies of the subject Earth Science in which the most reasonable, adequate, and lifelong ideas
are developed. This is aimed in identifying concepts related to minerals indispensable to humans and
discussing processes of how these mineral ores are found, mined and processed for human use. Basic concepts
and terminologies will be presented as we go along in the module.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the minerals important to society; and
2. explain the uses of the minerals that are important to society.

WHAT I KNOW
Multiple Choice.
Directions: Read carefully each item and WRITE the letter of your answer beside the numbers.
1. ____ Which of the following statements is true?
a. All rocks contain minerals but minerals do not contain rocks.
b. All minerals are rocks, but not all rocks are minerals.
c. There is no relationship between rocks and minerals.
d. Rocks and minerals do not go together.
2. ____ Which of the following minerals is considered the hardest on the Earth?
a. Talc b. Gold c. Iron d. Diamond
3. ____ Which of the following minerals is considered as the softest?
a. Fluorine b. Talc c. Gypsum d. Halite
4. ____ What mineral is used to make cement, concrete, pottery, and bricks?
a. Halite b. Gypsum c. Clay d. Corundum
5. ____ A process of ore genesis that happen on the surface of Earth, like erosion.
a. Internal process c. Surficial process
b. Hydrothermal process d. Fragments from solar system

LESSON 1 IMPORTANT MINERALS TO SOCIETY

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
Minerals have different properties thus, offers various applications. Almost all ingredients of the
products we use at home and the various improvements in infrastructures have used minerals. Its utilization
has given ample benefits to humanity and the society as a whole. Moreover, there are certain minerals that
our body need so we can grow healthy and strong. Indeed, life would not be comfortable and pleasant in the
absence of minerals due to its significance to our daily life.
As a senior high school student, you know that the facilities around you need minerals specially in
constructing durable buildings and asphalts in building roads. But have you tried asking yourself these
questions? What are concrete and asphalt made of? How people exactly used crashed stone, gravel, and
sand to make concrete? What are the minerals needed in my body for me to function normally and for me
to become a functional member of the society?
In your previous lessons in Science, you have learned that minerals are ore, solid, naturally formed by
inorganic process, has specific chemical composition and has crystalline structure. Likewise, you know that
these minerals are most commonly connected with rocks due to the presence of minerals within the rock
though they are not equivalent to rocks.
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Rocks as you knew it are clear aggregates of one or more minerals and constitute the basic unit of
which the solid Earth is composed (Carmichael, 2019, 3). Moreover, you also learned that ore minerals,
industrial minerals and gems are the classifications of minerals.
At this time, we will be learning about the list of important minerals as well as its importance to
society. Thus, a thorough discussion will be provided in this lesson for us to identify and understand its uses
and significance to the community we live in. It is imperative to learn the lesson because minerals play a very
important role in ensuring our world’s demand for energy, building infrastructure, advancing science and
technology, sustaining the global food supply, predicting and reacting to natural disasters and everything in
between.
Regardless of your economic status in the society, gaining such information is critical to both your future
and your survival.

WHAT IS IT
Ore minerals, industrial minerals, and the gems are the classifications of minerals that have been
giving people in the community an unending list of benefits. Ore minerals such as bauxite, rutile, hematite,
and chalcopyrite are the sources of our most important metals. Metallic minerals such as aluminum, copper,
and magnesium are extracted from these ores. On the other hand, clays, gypsum, potash, mica, calcium
carbonate, talc, halite and zeolite are a few well known industrial minerals that offer a wide array of domestic
and industrial applications.
Industrial minerals are defined as rocks or resources from the Earth that are utilized because of their
physical and chemical characteristics and not because of their metal content and which are energy sources
Clays, gypsum, potash, phosphates, mica, calcium carbonate, talc, and zeolite are a few well known industrial
minerals.
Gems on the other hand like diamond, corundum varieties (ruby and sapphire), beryl varieties
(emerald, aquamarine, and kunzite) and many other semiprecious gems are unearthed and valued for their
sparkle, beauty and its contribution to jewelry, cosmetics and medicine.
Presented in a table below is the list of important minerals that includes ore minerals and their metals,
industrial minerals and the gems. Read closely so you can learn something new from it.

Table 2. LIST OF IMPORTANT MINERALS TO SOCIETY

ORE MINERAL AND THEIR METALS INDUSTRIAL MINERAL GEMS

Metal Ore Mineral
Aluminum Bauxite Alumina Garnet
Chromium Chromite Kaolin Amethyst
Copper Chalcopyrite Feldspar Aquamarine
Bornite
Chalcocite
Gold Native Gold Titanium Dioxide Diamond
Iron Hematite Soda Ash Sapphire
Magnetite Limonite
Lead Galena Phosphates Emerald
Magnesium Magnesite Limestone (Marble) Agate
Dolomite
Mercury Cinnabar Petalites Opal, Mother of Pearl,
Alexandrite Emerald
Molybdenum Molybdenite Sepiolite, Bentonite Onyx
Nickel Pentlandite Gypsum Peridot, Spinel Carnelian
Platinum Native Platinum Halites Sapphire Chrysolite
Silver Native Silver Zeolites Tourmaline Beryl
Argentite
Tin Cassiterite Bentonite Yellow Topaz, Citrine
Titanium Ilmenite Titanium dioxide Turquoise, Blue Topaz,
Rutile
Tungsten Wolframite Graphite
Scheelite
Uranium Uraninite Sand, Silica
Zinc Sphalerite Rare Earth Elements(Lanthanum, Cerium,
Praseodymium, Neodymium, Europium)
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IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS TO SOCIETY

With the advent of modern technologies, ore minerals and their
metals, industrial minerals and gems are carefully studied and
converted into products to provide society with more than a
handful of benefits. In medicine, minerals and metals are important
elements and components in making advancements in today’s
biomedical enterprise. The elements like calcium (Ca), iron (Fe),
sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), aluminum (Al) and titanium oxide (TiO) are utilized to create
drugs and devices. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), is a dietary supplement to be used when the amount of
calcium in the diet is not enough. We know that calcium is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles,
nervous system, and heart. Heartburn, acid indigestion and an upset stomach can be relieved using calcium
carbonate. Copper, was used in MRI scanners. Likewise, it also kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi on contact
thus, hospitals utilize it for critical surfaces like door handles, bed rails, and chair armrests. Another mineral
with significant medical benefits is silver, an active ingredient in some topical antibiotics, wound dressings,
and medical devices. Silver prevents bacterial growth and promotes healing. A small amount of silver
makes E. coli bacteria significantly more sensitive to commonly prescribed antibiotics like penicillin.
Moreover, the metal titanium is a critical component in artificial joints because it is strong yet light and
works well as a substitute for bone. This metal is preferably used in the field of dentistry specially in
performing oral implants due to its biocompatibility, resistance to corrosion and mechanical properties.
In AGRICULTURE a lot of minerals like gypsum (CaSO4), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), phosphate (PO43-),
potash (KOH), and sulfur (S) are commonly utilized as fertilizers to help crops yield better. Similarly, some
of them are used as micronutrients in tissue culture and researches in biotechnology.
Clay mineral is also important in agriculture because it enriches the soil by holding nutrient elements
like potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous, which are necessary for plant growth. In addition, clay was
utilized in medicine because of its antibacterial properties. In COSMETIC INDUSTRIES, talc
(Mg3Si4O10(OH)2), bentonite, steatite are the usual used minerals. These minerals are needed in making
talcum powders, lotions, creams, and other products. Talc which is the softest mineral, adsorbs
microorganisms and other proteins. Bentonite adsorbs heavy metal. Steatite provides luster required for
a shiny skin. In in the Middle East, Far East and North Africa, eye kohl, an ancient eye cosmetic has been
used by girls and mature women cosmetically for eye makeup and eye treatments against some diseases.
Most of these eye cosmetics that were sold from came the Libyan markets comes from Africa, Asia and
Middle East and all are made from stones containing elemental substances such lead, nickel, cadmium,
and sulfur.
METAL-EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIES have used metals to make many automobile devices and machineries
that helped everyone in the society. Metals are chosen due to their properties like hardness, ability to
resist temperature and easily gets cold. These metals include copper (Cu), gold (Au), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni),
silver (Ag), aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti). Moreover, metals are environmentally friendly. In the GLASS-
MAKING INDUSTRIES, minerals like antimony, feldspar, lead, lithium, quartz, silica, sodium carbonate,
tantalum, calcite, gypsum, muscovite mica and orthoclase are the raw materials to be used. Sand is
primarily composed of quartz or silica is the main ingredient of glass.
At present, the energy needs of the First World countries are becoming a challenge for they entirely rely
on one energy source, the nuclear power. Radioactive minerals like uranium (U) and plutonium(P) are
utilized to GENERATE NUCLEAR POWER. Increasingly, physicians are opposing the mining of uranium
because it has a potential to cause a spectrum of adverse health effects like renal failure, weaken bone
growth and damage.
Plaster of Paris, granite, marble stone, rocks, sand and gravel and some other native metals are used in
HOME CONSTRUCTION. The glass in windows is made up of a mineral called quartz and the tiles are
made up of clay minerals. Cement on the other hand, is made up of various minerals like clay and gypsum.
Gypsum is needed to harden the cement and stay intact with pressure. Also, the use of by-product gypsum
is an important alternative in concrete design. The plumbing systems have used copper instead of lead
because of the potential hazards and poisons given off by the lead. Also, copper is used in electrical
installations at home. Likewise, a lot of household items are by products of minerals. For example, a can
opener is made up of ore minerals called hematite, chromite, galena, and chalcopyrite.

The earliest finding of jewelry was dated around 25,000 years ago in a cave in Monaco. Jewelry in the past
was made of feathers, bones, shells, and colored pebbles and was worn as amulets to protect oneself from
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 4

failures and diseases. These colored pebbles were called gems and have been esteemed and prized in the
JEWELRY business because of their beauty and durability. Several jewelry items that are manufactured
today began as functional objects. Clasps that held clothing together the clasps that held clothing together
give rise to the creation of pins and brooches. A person’s identification, rank and authority in the
community were made known to society because of rings and pendants. Diamonds were not well-known
until people in Europe in the year 1300’s l earned how to cut them to show their brilliance. Ruby
(corundum), sapphire and emerald (beryl) and diamond are some of the traditional list of gemstones that
were considered precious. Diamond (C) is a hardest well-known gem that is a solid mineral form of pure
carbon. Ruby and sapphire tie for the second hardest precious stone with a hardness of 9.0 as measured
on Mohs scale. Both ruby and sapphire are made from the mineral corundum. Many people believed that
the gem’s beauty possesses an ounce of miraculous power. With the hope of conquering love, gaining
wealth and power, achieving emotional stability and regaining back health, some people all over the world
need to own gems.
These are few of minerals that have contributed much to the society. With this tremendous list of
importance, we can infer how vital the minerals are in sustaining societal progress and development.
Indeed, these minerals have made modern urbanization, industrialization and communication systems
very simple.
Now that you have gained ample information about the list of important minerals and some details of
its uses to medicine, agriculture, cosmetics, metal-equipment industries, glass production, power
generation and home construction, let us again rock your brain powers by learning further.
Let us explore and mine more!

WHAT’S MORE
ACTIVITY 1: Let’s Connect Minerals to its Importance in Modern Society
Direction: Match the mineral in column A to its importance to society in column B.
Connect column A to column B using a line.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

1. ___ Copper A. Firefighters used this in face shields of fire fighters, medical and dental equipment.
2. ___ Zinc B. This is used for electrical conductors, motors, appliances, piping and in metal alloys.
3. ___ Nickel C. Utilized in steel making procedure
4. ___ Silver D. Used as electrical conductors and photography
5. ___ aluminum E. To prevent sunburn and coating for steel,
6. ___ Borax F. Used in fiberglass, high temperature glass, ceramics, and fertilizers
7. ___ Titanium G. Used in many high strength, low weight metal alloys.
8. ___ Talc H. Used in insulation, food processing, domestic utensils
9. ___ Clay I. Used to manufacture stainless steel
10. ___ Phosphates J. Carbonate of potassium that is used in fertilizers, medicines and the chemical industry.
11. ___ Potash K. utilized to create cement and concrete, which is used to build roads, buildings
, housing foundations and even driveways
12. ___ Rare Earth elements L. Used in paper manufacture, in paint manufacture and in plastics industry.
13. ___ Iron M. Used in petroleum refining, computers, televisions, metallurgical applications.
14. ___ Gold N. Used to produce phosphoric acid for fertilizers, feed additives for livestock for slag
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 5

SOME IMPORTANT MINERALS IN THE SOCIETY

Minerals played a wide array of uses in the society because they are used to process materials to
generate products. Bentonite (Al2H2Na2O13Si4) is important in well drilling. Fluorite is important in making
steel. Barite (BaSO4) is used in oil drilling, filler in paint, glass and toothpaste.
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is used to make electrical wiring, motors, appliances, piping and in metal
alloys. The important source of silver is natural mineral form of lead (II) sulfide, galena (PbS). This mineral is
used in automotive batteries, paint and additive in gasoline. Industrial minerals have helped a lot in the
homes and manufacturing companies. Water purification processes have used zeolite (Ca2Al4Si8O24.13H2O).
Limestone (CaCO3) is used as building stone, for kitchen surfaces, sculpture and cement. Sand (SiO2) has
domestic and industrial application. Halite, normally branded as rock salt, is a type of salt with the mineral
form of sodium chloride (NaCl). Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is primarily used in making wallboard and an
ingredient in cement Borax (Na2B4O7 • 10H2O) also known as sodium borate is used to make fiberglass, high
temperature glass, cleaning agents, ceramics, wood preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and fertilizers. Our
appliances, gadgets and smartphones have used the rare Earth elements like Lanthanum (La), Cerium
(Ce), Praseodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd) and Europium (Eu). Corundum (Al₂O₃) is most highly desired
jewelry stone. Diamond(C) on the other hand is useful in jewellery, industry, and cosmetics.
REFERENCES:
https//www:mine-engineer.com/mining/mine2.htm
https://www.gemsociety.org/article/corundum-jewelry-gemstone-information/ https://theteachersinstitute.org/curriculum_unit/minerals-in-society/

LESSON 2 HOW ORE MINERALS ARE FOUND,

MINED AND PROCESSED FOR
HUMAN USE

WHAT’S IN
In lesson 1, we have learned the list of important minerals in the society and its significant
used in our lives. We also begin to appreciate its critical role in making advancements in various areas of
the society. The developments made in the field of information technology, modern medicine, agriculture,
commerce, jewelry, industries and many others have created a wonderful influence on the country’s
economy. With the various benefit that these minerals have given, one could not help himself thinking of
how comfortable life is at present. However, the information on how ore minerals are found, mined and
processed are still vague thus, it will be discussed for us in this lesson.
WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
Inside the Earth’s crust are ore deposits containing minerals of great economic advantage. Ore
minerals such as bauxite, rutile, hematite, pentlandite and chalcopyrite are the sources of our most important
metals. Aluminum, a metal that is used in aluminum foil, in medicine containers and other products, is
extracted from an ore called bauxite. Copper which is used as electrical wire because it is an excellent
conductor of electricity, is taken-out from ore called chalcopyrite. Titanium, the strongest metal that is used
in aircraft, armor plating, naval ships, spacecraft and missiles is extracted from an ore rutile.
With this information, the intelligent Tao is driven by his quest to find the exact depot of these
materials. Though there are many resources that have helped him improved his ways of living, his future
depends on the way these ore minerals are mined, processed and used. Have you ever visited a mine or a
place where ore minerals are processed? What do you think you will do when you find a rock- containing ore
during a mountain trip with your friends? Will you rushed directly to a nearby processing plant for this ore to
be checked and analyzed?
In this lesson you will be learning some facts about mining and processing these ore minerals from
rocks. Thus, at the end of the lesson you are expected to discuss and explain how these ores are found,
mined, and processed for human use.
However, before we will mine deeper, you need to answer the first activity.

WHAT’S NEW
ACTIVITY 1: Situational Simulation
You need at least TWO people from your community who have experienced working
in a mining site or in the gold-buying business. In this situation, you need to ask these
questions;
1. Can you share the standard operating procedure (SOP) that you have been doing in the work
place?
2. If given a chance to choose a job, what do you think is the job that you will choose? Why?
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 6

You can tap assistance from your parents or family members to accomplish this task. Break
a leg!
WRITE THE ANSWERS BELOW
PERSON 1 PERSON 2
1. ____________________________________________ 1. ________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________
WHAT IS IT?
Ores are natural rocks or sediments that hold one or more valuable minerals, mostly metals, that can
be mined, processed and sold at a great price. They are contained inside the Earth in a limited quantity
because its creation and deposition would take millions of years. Ore genesis, the process by which a deposit
of ore is created has three major types: internal processes, hydrothermal processes, and surficial processes.
Internal processes include geologic activity such as when volcanoes bring ore from deep in the planet to
the surface. Hydrothermal process happens when seawater circulates through cracks in Earth’s crust and
deposits minerals in the areas around hydrothermal vents. Hydrothermal vents are cracks on the seafloor
where seawater meets magma. Finally, ore can accumulate through processes that happen on the surface
of Earth, like erosion. This type of ore genesis is referred to as surficial process.
Aside from ore genesis, ore minerals can also be deposited to the Earth because of the rocky
fragments or debris from the solar system that fall. These pieces of fragments, that enter the Earth’s
atmosphere are called meteorites or what we known as “shooting stars”. Countless meteorites contain
large amounts of iron ore where we could extract metallic iron for industry and infrastructure purposes.
Moreover, ore minerals can be found in the Earth's surface or to its crust and at the ocean floor. Quarts,
mica and olivine are some of the silicate rocks that are frequently found on the
surface of the Earth. Likewise, igneous rocks (granite, gabbro and basalt),
metamorphic rocks (gneiss, schist and amphibolite) and sedimentary rocks
(sandstone, shale, and limestone) can also be found on the Earth’s crust.
In the ocean floor or the “seabed”, the presence of various ore
minerals can also be found since the ocean floor itself is made up of
crystallized matter from silicate magma known as mafic rocks. Moreover,
numerous Volcanic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits can be observed in the ocean
floor which are rich in ore that can be mined for its resources. Minerals found
under the seabed include gabbro, basalt, serpentine, peridotite, olivine and ore
minerals from Volcanic Massive Sulfide deposits.
Now that we have learned new inputs, let us try to answer the activity below.
WHAT IS IT?
Ore is a NONRENEWABLE RESOURCE and since modern societies rely so much on its use in infrastructure
and industry, miners need to find new ore deposits to withstand its increasing demand. With this, mining
enthusiasts have trekked every part of the world and even explore the ocean’s depth, in search for these ores.
MINING is the process of extracting the valuable materials from the Earth. In the Philippines, mining is a
growing and promising industry. According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s (MGB) Mining Facts and
Figures, our country is acknowledged as the largest copper-gold deposits of the world and the fifth mineral-
rich country of the world for gold, copper, nickel and chromite. In 2018, our country was the world’s second-
largest producer of nickel ore and sold most of its output to its top buyer China. The Northern Central and
Southern part of Mindanao were identified as rich in chromium, copper and gold deposits. Also, there are
about 40 metallic mines and 62 non-metallic mines operating in the Philippines, however, only 1.4% of these
were covered by mining permits according to the 2016 record of the bureau. These mining companies have
used the two main mining methods; surface mining and underground mining.
In SURFACE MINING, minerals are extracted
near the Earth’s surface. This includes six (6)
processes; strip mining, placer mining, mountain top,
hydraulic mining, dredging and open pit. In an
UNDERGROUND MINING, ores are taken out from
the ground by digging. This includes five (5) processes;
slope mining, hard-rock, drift mining, shaft and bore-
hole process.
These mining techniques have unearthed a lot of
mineral deposits from the Earth and have given man
countless benefits. A fact that an ore is always mixed
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 7

with unwanted rocks and minerals known as gangue, these two can still be separated by mechanical or
manual processes (Hassan 2010,2).
METALLURGY is a process used to extract metals in their pure form. A substance called flux is added to
remove the gangue (impurities). There are classifications under the METALLURGICAL PROCESS. The first
process in metallurgy is CRUSHING AND GRINDING OF ORES into a fine powder (pulverization) in a crusher
or ball mill. Second process is called ORE DRESSING or the process of removing impurities from ore. Third is
doing the HYDROLYTIC METHOD wherein ores are poured over a sloping, vibrating corrugated table with
grooves of which a jet water flowed over the surface. This allows the denser particles to settle in the grooves
and washed away the impurities. Fourth is to do MAGNETIC SEPARATION in which the crushed ore is placed
on a conveyor belt with two wheels. One of the wheels is magnetic and therefore attracts magnetic particles
and those non-magnetic particles just fall apart. The fifth classification is called FROTH FLOATATION in which
the crushed ore are placed in a large tank that contains oil and water, then a current of compressed air will
passed through to wet the ore and separates the impurities in the form of froth. Because the ore is lighter, it
floats and left the impurities behind. ROASTING AND CALCINATION is the last method in which a concentrated
ore is heated in the presence of oxygen (roasting) and is usually applied to sulfide ores. For ores containing
carbonate or hydrated oxides, heating is done in the absence of air to melt the ores, and this process is known
as calcination. Chalcocite, galena and sphalerite and other metals combined with sulfur were exposed to this
process to yield copper, zinc and iron (Gill 2018, 1-5) After all these processes UTILIZATION follows. Man,
further purified or mixed these metals with other metals like what happened in a copper refinery or steel mill.
Others are utilized by people in jewelry business using the gold ores. Majority of these gold ores were converted
into jewelry and only small percentages were processed into electronic equipment, coins and dental fillings.
Likewise, since these ore minerals generate valuable metals, they were considered a big help in infrastructure,
trade and industry that in turn have boosted the country’s economic health status in the world.

WHAT’S NEW
ACTIVITY 3: Let’s Do SEE-quencing of Thoughts
Direction: The sentences are disorganized and it is all about the PRINCIPLES OF METALLURGY. Use
the numbers 1-6 to arrange the process in chronological order. To tickle the brain neurons, the first one is
done for you.
__ Ores are heated using oxygen in the case of sulfide ores and heated in the absence of oxygen for
ores containing carbonates or hydrated oxides.
___ The crushed ore is placed on a conveyor belt with two wheels; one of which is magnetic to attract
magnetic particles and those non-magnetic ones will fall apart.
_1_ The extracted ores are pulverized in a crusher or ball mill.
___ The crushed ores are placed in a large tank that contains oil and water that makes the ore floats and
separates impurities in the form of froth.
___ Impurities from the ores are removed.
___ The ores are poured over a sloping, vibrating corrugated table with grooves of which a jet water
flowed over the surface to wash away the impurities. The denser particles settle in the grooves.

WHAT IS IT
There are five (5) existing mining sites in Region X as published by Mindanao Journal of Science and
Technology (Vol.13,2015). These mining places are situated at Gango, Libona, in Bukidnon, Barangay Tumpagon
and Barangay Pigsag-an in Cagayan de Oro City, Nangcaon, Opol, in Misamis Oriental, and Rogongon, Iligan City.
The miners in these sites have use various methods in mining. TUNNELING, PANNING /GOLD WASHING,
FLUSHING, PANNING and FLUSHING were used.
In the tunneling method, underground excavations are made to get the mineral ore. Panning, in
mining, is a simple method of separating gold from soil or gravels by washing in a pan with water. In flushing
method, crushed rocks are exposed to a high velocity water to removed impurities and obtained the valuable
element. Other miners used combination methods with the hope of increasing yield.
Miners from Gango, Libona in Bukidnon have practiced the tunneling method since the mining location
is not near the river system and the area’s geography ranges from flat to very steep hills. Mining site that are
located along the river system have practiced gold panning methods like Barangay Nangcaon, Pigsag-an,
Tumpagon, and Rogongon Veteran gold miners and the local folks generally used gold panning method as a
manual technique of separating gold from other materials. With this technique, the ground materials continue
to pollute the river system specially the Iponan River ecosystem with depositions of high loads of sediments
that have shallow the river beds and poses threat to other aquatic life since siltation lessen sunlight dispersion,
water temperature and water habitat productivity.
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 8

Also, majority of the miner-respondents practiced indigenous ways in their purification method.
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the miners in Gango, Libona have used leaves (tuog), soap, water and vinegar.
The use of mercury in their mining activities is strictly forbidden yet there are few miners who opted to use
mercury in their mining activities. For the other mining sites (other than Gang, Libona, Bukidnono), the use
of water and bilingan or panning were commonly used as strainer to removed impurities.
Moreover, other mining companies in Mindanao are using extensively the LEACHING PROCESS
because they believed that it is more convenient to do, needs less energy and less harmful because there
are no gaseous emissions involved in the process. In this process, the ore is treated with chemicals (cyanide,
ammonia, alkali and acid) to convert the valuable metals within into soluble salts while impurity remain
insoluble. Then, it can then be washed out and processed to get the pure metal and leave the tailings
(material left over). However, excessive leaching releases harmful chemicals to the water sources that may
affect the communities’ drinking water. There are four types of leaching: cyanide leaching (gold ore),
ammonia leaching (crushed ore), alkali leaching (bauxite ore) and acid leaching (sulfide ore). Additionally,
a method called ELECTROLYSIS uses electricity and acid to separate metal from the ore. A metal like
aluminum is extracted from bauxite by electrolysis. In this manner, bauxite is placed in a pool of acid and
run through it an electrical current leaving aluminum in the process.
Since mining industry is a promising business in the Philippines, the government has imposed
laws and stipulated in the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7942, generally acknowledged as the "Philippine Mining
Act of 1995. This act has given benefit to both the government and the contractor. Health and safety
measures for everyone have been given priorities for the success of the mining industry relies to this
protocol. Moreover, mining knowhow and safety habits have been advanced by innovative companies and
were encouraged by governmental legislation (Glover and Morse 2000, 18).
In connection with this, BIOMINING was introduced in the mining business wherein special
bacteria, prokaryotes and fungi are used to mine valuable metals from ore minerals without drilling and
blasting of rocks.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

M B G N I H S U L F
ACTIVITY 4 The Word Seeker
A E L E A C H I N G
Direction: You are task to seek words
relating to how ore minerals are found, mined C D T L A R E N I M
and processed for human use. Words in the Y A P A Y K L M N O
word box are cleverly concealed, ENCIRCLE A L A B L Y A E V P
them.
N K N C Z G B R U Q
Remember, miners are patient seeker.
Enjoy seeking! I A N A H R C O T R
D L I E A U D D S E
AMMONIA E I N E W L E L R S
BAUXITE ORE GOLD ORE A M G C A L F O Q T
PANNING S I A R X A E G R U
CYANIDE METALLURGY
I N E A E T G G P B
BIOMINING TUNNELING
L E B E I E H G I V
FLUSHING LEACHING
T E C X F M N O O W
SILT
B F U I G I M A N A
ALKALI
C A A X H I E N I C
METAL ACID MINE
B B B C N A I B M I
D C A I J B J K L D
T U N N E L I N G W
A G A M M O N I A A
 EARTH SCIENCE Q1 MODULE 6 | 9

INTEGRATION OF FAITH IN LEARNING

In learning the lesson, let us perpend what God wants us to learn from His Holy Writ. Let us
meditate on Genesis 2:11 and 1 Kings 10:10 KJV
The name of the first is Pison: that is, it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is
gold; Genesis 2:11
And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious
stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king
Solomon. 1 Kings 10:10

FAITH INTEGRATION: Cite a VERSE from the Bible that you can relate in our topic. Use the space
below. DESCRIBE its significance to our topic.

ASSESSMENT: (POST-TEST)
Multiple Choice. Read carefully each item. WRITE the letter of the correct answers beside the
numbers.
1. ____ Which of the following statements is true?
a. All rocks contain minerals but minerals do not contain rocks.
b. All minerals are rocks, but not all rocks are minerals.
c. There is no relationship between rocks and minerals.
d. Rocks and minerals do not go together.
2. ____Which of the following minerals is considered the hardest on the Earth?
a. Talc b. Gold c. Iron d. Diamond
3. ____Which of the following minerals is considered as the softest?
a. Fluorine b. Talc c. Gypsum d. Halite
4. ____What mineral is used to make cement, concrete, pottery, and bricks?
b. a. Halite b. Gravel c. Clay d. Corundum
5. ____ A process of ore genesis that happen on the surface of Earth, like
erosion.
a. Internal process c. Surficial process
b. Hydrothermal process d. Fragments from solar system
6. ____What mineral maintains a healthy immune system?
a. Zinc b. Copper c. Iron d. Calcium
7. ____What mineral does the window glass made of?
a. Halite b. Talc c. Chromite d. Quartz
8. ____What mineral is used in water purification process?
a. Zeolite b. Chalcopyrite c. Bentonite d. Borax
9. ____It is a process used to extract metals in their pure form.
a. mining b. bio mining c. metallurgy d. biotechnology
10. ____What do you call the process when ore minerals are created/ deposited?
a. ore genesis b. ore deposition c. ore demolition d. ore segregation
11. ____Ore is a ___________ resource.
a. renewable b. nonrenewable c. infinite d. limitless
12. ____A process of ore genesis that includes geologic activity such as when volcanoes bring ore
from deep in the planet to the surface.
a. Internal process b. Hydrothermal process c. Surficial process d. Fragments from solar system
13. ____What type of mining is characterized when minerals are extracted near the Earth’s surface?
a. surface mining b. underground mining c. roasting d. grinding
14. ____What method of metal extraction that uses heat to separate the metal from the rest of the ore
and requires another chemical, to separate metal from its ore?
b. a. smelting b. electrolysis c. hammering d. exploding
15. ____ What method uses electricity and acid to separate metal from the ore?
a. smelting b. electrolysis c. hammering d. exploding
 E A R T H S C I E N C E Q 1 M O D U L E 6 | 10

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 E A R T H S C I E N C E Q 1 M O D U L E 6 | 11

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