Formation, Mining, and Use of Minerals

Cornell Notes Page 143

REVIEW:• What do we know

about how minerals are made?– (Think about the

characteristics of minerals…)

• Naturally occurring

• Inorganic

• NOT made by humans, plants, or animals!

How do Minerals form?

• In Magma and Lava– Minerals crystallize

in the liquid rock.– Different Minerals

begin forming crystals at different temperatures- this causes them to separate out into pure samples.

How do Minerals form?

• In Magma and Lava– If magma cools

quickly, crystals don’t have time to grow.

– The slower the magma cools, the bigger the crystal can grow!

• In Water– Elements and

compounds dissolved in water crystallize as the water evaporates

Why do we need

minerals?• We eat minerals to stay

healthy- iron, calcium, salt• We use minerals for

building and construction- gypsum is used to make dry wall, iron is used to manufacture steel.

• Minerals like copper and gold are used in appliances and electronics.

How do we get minerals?

How do we get

minerals?

• Ore: mineral deposit large enough to be mined for profit.

• Surface Mining– Open pits, surface

coal mines, and quarries.

• Subsurface Mining– Passageways are

dug into the Earth to reach the ore.

– Minerals are located too deep to be mined with surface mines.