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    Chapter One

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    diwopi8540

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Chapter One

    Uploaded by

    diwopi8540
    12 views16 pages

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    12 views16 pages

    Chapter One

    Uploaded by

    diwopi8540

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    You are on page 1of 16

    Rocks & Minerals and their exploitation

    Chapter One
    Formation of rocks
    • The earth was formed about 4.5 billion years ago.
    • The force of gravity pulled the heavier elements together
    first, forming the core.
    • The lighter elements then formed the Earth's crust about
    3.3 billion years ago.
    • The mantle developed as a layer between the dense core
    and the light crust.
    Types of rocks Video
    The rock cycle
    A representation of the changes between the three rock types
    and the processes causing them
    Extraction of rocks and minerals
    There are two steps for extraction of minerals

    1 - Prospecting (Searching)
    A process of searching for minerals by examining the surface of the rocks

    2 - Mining
    Extraction of rocks and minerals
    Video

    1 – Methods of Prospecting

    • Remote sensing
    • Radiation detection
    • Satellite signals
    • Satellite images
    • Geochemical analysis
    • Geophysics
    Extraction of rocks and minerals
    Video

    2 – Mining : Methods of extraction


    * Surface mining , open-cast (open-pit , open cut) and strip mining
    • The vegetation is cleared and topsoil removed
    • The rocks are broken up and loosened with explosives
    • The loose rock is removed using diggers
    • The rock or mineral is tipped into trucks or railway wagons
     Open-pit mining is used when a valuable deposit is located near the surface
     Strip mining is used to mine a seam of mineral
     The overburden (overlying rock and soil) is removed as a thin strip
     It is mainly used to (mine coal)

    Quarries
    Building materials such as sand, gravel and stone are removed from open pits
    Open pit mining Shaft mining
    Extraction of rocks and minerals
    2 – Mining : Methods of extraction
    * Sub -surface mining

    • Includes deep and shaft mining


    • A vertical shaft is sunk down to the rock layer containing minerals
    • A horizontal tunnel is made, following the mineral layer
    • The minerals are extracted by digging (by machines and miners).
    • The loose rock is brought from the mine and piled up on waste heaps
    on the surface.
    • The minerals are brought to the surface and transported in trucks or trains.
    Factors affecting the viability of extraction of minerals

    1) The costs of exploration and extraction


    2) Geology
    3) Climate
    4) Accessibility
    5) The environmental impacts
    6) Supply and demand
    Impact of rock and mineral extraction
    Impact of rock and mineral extraction
    Managing the impact of rock and mineral extraction
    Sustainable use of rocks and minerals

    Sustainable resource:
    A resource that can be continuously replenished e.g. agriculture, forestry…etc.

    Sustainable development:
    Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the
    ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
    Sustainable use of rocks and minerals

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