Download - Mining and other extraction methods
Mining and other extraction methodsMining and other
extraction methods
Topic 17Topic 17
Important TermsImportant Terms Mineral Ore Reserve Surface mining Subsurface mining
Mineral Ore Reserve Surface mining Subsurface mining
Examples of commercially important minerals
Examples of commercially important minerals
Gold Tantalum (coltan) Diamonds Iron Lead Silicon Aluminum Coal*
Gold Tantalum (coltan) Diamonds Iron Lead Silicon Aluminum Coal*
Metal Global Years remaining
US years remaining
Iron 120 40
Aluminum 330 2
Lead 20 40
Gold 30 20
Nickel 75 0
Manganese 70 0
* Not technically a mineral, but mined like one
Surface mining: generalSurface mining: general Existing vegetation is cleared over burden Extraction Spoils
Surface mining is used to extract @90% of the nonfuel mineral resources and @60% of coal resources in the U.S.
Existing vegetation is cleared over burden Extraction Spoils
Surface mining is used to extract @90% of the nonfuel mineral resources and @60% of coal resources in the U.S.
Open-pit MiningOpen-pit Mining
Area Strip MiningArea Strip Mining
Contour Strip MiningContour Strip Mining
Mountaintop RemovalMountaintop Removal
Subsurface MiningSubsurface Mining
Advantages Only way to access
some resources Disturbs less than
1/10th as much land as surface mining
Usually produces less waste material
Advantages Only way to access
some resources Disturbs less than
1/10th as much land as surface mining
Usually produces less waste material
Disadvantages Dangerous
Collapse of roofs & walls Explosions of dust & natural
gas Lung diseases from mining
dust Leaves much of the resource
in the ground Acid Mine Drainage Subsidence
Disadvantages Dangerous
Collapse of roofs & walls Explosions of dust & natural
gas Lung diseases from mining
dust Leaves much of the resource
in the ground Acid Mine Drainage Subsidence
SubsidenceSubsidence
US Mining lawsUS Mining laws
US General Mining Law of 1872
US Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
US General Mining Law of 1872
US Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Fig. 15-10, p. 344
Natural Capital Degradation
Extracting, Processing, and Using Nonrenewable Mineral and Energy Resources
Steps Environmental effects
Mining Disturbed land; mining accidents; health hazards, mine waste dumping, oil spills and blowouts; noise; ugliness; heat
Exploration, extraction
Processing
Solid wastes; radioactive material; air, water, and soil pollution; noise; safety and health hazards; ugliness; heat
Transportation, purification, manufacturing
Use
Noise; ugliness; thermal water pollution; pollution of air, water, and soil; solid and radioactive wastes; safety and health hazards; heat
Transportation or transmission to individual user, eventual use, and discarding
Other extraction methodsOther extraction methods
Oil drilling Oil drilling
Hydraulic fracturingHydraulic fracturing
Traditional New
Traditional New
Associated water issues
•Groundwater contamination
•Surface water contamination
•Excessive water use
Other environmental issuesOther environmental issues
Habitat destruction Earthquakes Methane leakage Subsidence of land Soil salinization or heavy metal
build-up
Habitat destruction Earthquakes Methane leakage Subsidence of land Soil salinization or heavy metal
build-up
ANWR Case StudyANWR Case Study
Arctic tundraArctic tundra
What will happen if ANWR is developed by the oil industry?What will happen if ANWR is
developed by the oil industry?
Construction and use of: drilling sites, airstrips, Housing Pipelines and storage facilities
Increased air traffic Seismic surveying
Construction and use of: drilling sites, airstrips, Housing Pipelines and storage facilities
Increased air traffic Seismic surveying
Who has a stake in the future of ANWR?
Who has a stake in the future of ANWR?
Who would benefit from opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling?
Who might be harmed by it?
Who would benefit from opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling?
Who might be harmed by it?
What is another side to the story?
What is another side to the story?
Arctic Power, an organization that says opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling would provide jobs and energy, and would not harm the caribou herds, promotes drilling in the Refuge.
The following clip is narrated by an Inupiak man who lives in the small town of Kaktovik in the coastal area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.anwr.org/flash.htm
Arctic Power, an organization that says opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling would provide jobs and energy, and would not harm the caribou herds, promotes drilling in the Refuge.
The following clip is narrated by an Inupiak man who lives in the small town of Kaktovik in the coastal area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
http://www.anwr.org/flash.htm
Other extraction controversiesOther extraction controversies Pebble Mine Keystone Pipeline
In your group of four, decide which partner pair will learn about Pebble Mine and which will learn about the Keystone Pipeline.
Then you and your partner should read both sides. Summarize the goal of the project and the arguments for and against. One paragraph per argument.
Pebble Mine Keystone Pipeline
In your group of four, decide which partner pair will learn about Pebble Mine and which will learn about the Keystone Pipeline.
Then you and your partner should read both sides. Summarize the goal of the project and the arguments for and against. One paragraph per argument.