mineral resources Flashcards
how are minerals formed?
Most formed underground when heat and pressure transform one form of a rock into another. Some are formed from hot magma which contains minerals. When magma cools, mineral crystals appear
Some formed near or on the surface, when mineral rich fluids such as silica-bearing water evaporate. They can also be formed when volcanic rocks are broken down by the action of wind and water
Many minerals form crystals. Shape of crystals is determined by the arrangement of its atoms. If crystals form slowly, they may become gemstones.
mining processes
Mining = process of digging rocks and minerals from earth
Minerals = found at diff depths
Three main methods:
Open cast mining
Scoops minerals up from near surface (like coal and iron)
Mineral bearing rocks are stripped off by giant excavators and power shovels, which then load the material into lorries or railway wagons to be carried away
Adit mining
For underground
Adit = opening or passage
Used in hilly areas where mineral seam is exposed on hillside eg coal
Mineral dug out of opening = miners create passage as they go deeper into the hill to reach more minerals
Passage = horizontal
Horizontal tunnels dug into hillsides to reach minerals e.g Soar coalfield near Quetta
Shaft mining
For underground
Vertical shafts dug down to mineral seams, esp for coal
Tunnels then dug horizontally to the seams and the mineral is carried back along the tunnels and up the shaft
Method = expensive & dangerous
For both adit and shaft mining consideration must be given to the problems of ventilation and underground transport
Dangerous gases underground = risk of explosion and poisoning = tunnel roofs collapse
Another hazard in some areas is flooding
Miners have been trapped deep underground on many occasions
metallic and non metallic minerals
Ores: chemical compounds containing high proportion of a metal
Minerals can be classified into metallic and non metallic
Metallic ores are cut or blasted from the surrounding rock. The ore is then crushed and the worthless rock is removed
Metallic minerals:
economically more valuable compared to non metallic
Generally hard, tough, shiny
Can change shape w out breaking
Can be stretched and compressed
Many r good thermal and electrical conductors
More reactive w water and acid
Non metallic:
Economically less valuable except for power resources
Soft, rough and may not shine
Breaks away when shape is changed (except oil and natural gas)
Cannot be stretched or compressed
Poor thermal and electrical conductors
Less reactive w water and acid
Pak’s mining industry
Few deposits of metallic minerals
Substantial deposits of non metallic minerals
Mineral production contributes only abt 2.8% GDP
mining and economic development
Industrial uses
Metallic minerals = more precious as they are raw materials in high value industries
Non metallic minerals = used in construction industry (boosts country’s infrastructure)
Agricultural uses
Promote agricultural sector
Uses of cement..
Metallic minerals used for making agricultural implements, tractors etc
Improving balance of payment
Export of metallic minerals and mineral products = high value in international market, increasing foreign exchange earning
Employment in mining industry
Provides employment opportunities
Generation of electricity
Some non metallic minerals help to produce thermal electricity
If country makes max use of its minerals, electricity crisis can be avoided
Thar coal fields in Pak
Development of remote areas
Extraction of minerals promotes economic development of remote areas
Increase in GDP
Increased domestic income = improve country’s financial position
minerals and their uses
Metallic:
Chromite:
Used for bridges and railway carriages
Gives hardness and electrical resistance to steel
Iron ore:
Steel making
Construction and transport industry
Copper:
Making electrical wires and other electrical appliances
Making water pipes and tanks
Manganese:
Making dry batteries
Making paints
Bauxite:
Chief source of aluminum, a valuable metal used in utensils, cans etc
Celestite:
Used in tracer bullets
Used in fireworks
Non metallic:
Rock salt/brine:
Cooking and preservative purposes
Chemical and fertilizer industry
Limestone:
Manufacture of bleaching powder
Used to aerate soil and treat salinity
Coal:
Making coke and coal briquettes
Used in brick kilns
Mineral oil:
Power source
Lubricant for machines
Gypsum:
Manufacture of paints
Fetilizers
Marble:
Making buildings
Making chips for flooring and decorative pieces
Clays:
China clay in ceramic industry
Fire clay for fire bricks
Magnesite:
Manufacture of cement & paper pulp
Sulphur:
Used in chemical industries for sulphuric acid, paints etc
problems of the mining industry
Lack of financial resources: Pak doesn’t have enough money to invest in exploration of minerals. Many institutions are working for the development of mining resources but their efforts arent v successful due to lack of financial resources
Lack of technical experts: mining requires high tech experts with in depth knowledge of geology, computerised mining operations etc. however Pak has v few technical institutions that produce such experts, thus technical experts from other countries have to be hired
Inaccessible mineral deposits: most of the minerals in pak are in areas where transport links are poorly developed. E.g coal, sulphur, natural gas etc are found in Balochistan where the infrastructure is poorly developed and population density is low.
Security of mining companies: issue arisen since 9/11; due to increased terrorist activities in Pak, foreign mining companies are reluctant to carry out operations in Pak due to risks of terrorist attacks.
Low priority given to mineral excavation: Pak is primarily an agricultural country, development of the mining sector requires infrastructure development (transport, electricity etc), high cost mining mahinery, hi-tech knowledge, large industrial market to exploit minerals and training of miners on modern lines. It is much easier to develop the agricultural sector and thus mining sector is somewhat ignored by the higher authorities
Institutional mismanagement: like most departments in Pak the mineral offices are also victims of corruption and low standards of work. Thus has resulted in low productivity in the mining sector.
effects of mining on the environment
Minerals are a part of the physical environment but when ppl take them from earth and use them they cause changes to the physical environment and if human activities are not planned and environmental concerns are not taken into consideration it can cause gradual environmental degradation
If environmental losses are kept to minimum then economic benefits could be enormous for ppl and economy of Pak
When minerals are extracted:
Vegetation is cut down =soil exposure & natural landscape is deformed
Infrastructure facilities for miners =roads and houses constructed
During mining process: rocks blasted = vibration and noise pollution
Underground mining: earth is dug. Depressions not filled = flooded by heavy rainfall
Tradition mining = hazardous for miners health bec no hygienic or safety standards are taken into consideration
Minerals extracted = heaps of mineral waste pollute lands and sometimes enter rivers/lakes and pollute water supply
Smoke & dust = air pollution
protection of environment from mining hazards
Mining should be done on scientific lines to maximize benefits and minimize negative effects
Special precautions to avoid environmental damage
Land should be leveled and depressions should be filled after mining to avoid deformation
All waste should be properly treated before its final deposition
Workers should be given proper clothing and masks so that they are not affected by gases and dust
Area around a mine should be planted w trees so that when workers come out of a mine the wil have fresh air to breath
Water treatment plants for ppl living near mines
Health and education facilities near mines to improve living conditions of miners and their families
Compulsory afforestation programmes near mining centres
Proper disposal of mining waste
Improved working conditions for miners
