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P1 Environmental Science Aqa A Level > Mineral Resources (P1) > Flashcards

Mineral Resources (P1) Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the lithosphere made up of?

A

The lithosphere is made up of the crust and the upper layer of the outer mantle.

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2
Q

What is the primary composition of the Earth’s crust?

A

The crust is mainly made up of rocks.

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3
Q

What is the thickness range of the Earth’s crust?

A

The thickness of the crust varies between 5 & 100 km.

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4
Q

What are the primary physical resources provided by the lithosphere?

A
  • Mined metal ores
  • Non-metal minerals
  • Fossil fuels
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5
Q

Define an ore.

A

An ore is a rock that has enough of a mineral deposit to make it viable to be exploited commercially.

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6
Q

What are the consequences of unsustainable exploitation of lithosphere resources?

A
  • Exhaustion of reserves
  • Increased production of harmful waste
  • Land degradation
  • Lower quality of life for current and future generations
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7
Q

What are some geological processes that produce localized concentrations of recoverable mineral deposits?

A
  • Hydrothermal deposition
  • Metamorphic processes
  • Proterozoic marine sediments
  • Physical sediments
  • Biological sediments
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8
Q

What are the three categories of rocks produced by geological processes?

A
  • Igneous rocks
  • Sedimentary rocks
  • Metamorphic rocks
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9
Q

What are intrusive igneous rocks?

A

Intrusive igneous rocks are formed by magma cooling beneath the surface.

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10
Q

What are extrusive igneous rocks?

A

Extrusive igneous rocks are formed by magma cooling above the surface.

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11
Q

What is fractional crystallization?

A

Fractional crystallization is a process that sorts minerals for mining.

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12
Q

What minerals are commonly deposited through hydrothermal processes?

A
  • Tin
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Arsenic
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13
Q

What is metamorphic rock formed from limestone called?

A

Marble.

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14
Q

What is the process by which sedimentary rocks are formed?

A

Sedimentary rocks are formed by the deposition and cementation of rock particles.

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15
Q

What are Proterozoic marine sediments?

A

Iron ore deposits formed when dissolved iron compounds became oxidized.

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16
Q

What defines a placer deposit?

A

Minerals carried as sediments in flowing water are deposited as the water slows down.

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17
Q

What are evaporites?

A

Minerals that crystallize when water evaporates from mineral-rich solutions.

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18
Q

What is secondary enrichment in mineral deposits?

A

Formation of economically important metals that may change solubility based on conditions.

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19
Q

What are biological sediments?

A

Sediments created when organisms use materials dissolved in air or water to build their tissue.

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20
Q

What is Lasky’s Principle?

A

As the linear purity of a deposit decreases, there is a logarithmic increase in the amount of material included.

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21
Q

What is the difference between a stock and a resource?

A

Stock includes all material in the lithosphere; resource includes materials that can be exploited technically and economically now or in the future.

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22
Q

What are inferred reserves?

A

The presence of the mineral can be predicted, but not enough is known to estimate the amount that can be economically extracted.

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23
Q

What are proven reserves?

A

Sufficient exploration has been carried out to accurately estimate the amount of the mineral that can be economically extracted.

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24
Q

What is a key limitation in mineral exploitation?

A

The financial cost of exploitation may be too great.

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25
What is remote sensing in mineral exploration?
Techniques that give information about the lithosphere without taking direct samples.
26
What is gravimetry?
A satellite and aerial survey technique that detects variations in gravity caused by variations in density and mass.
27
What is the cut-off ore grade currently considered mineable?
25g kg-1.
28
What are seismic surveys?
Surface-based surveys using sound waves from controlled explosions or seismic vibrators to gather information about rock strata ## Footnote They provide details on depth, density, and shape of rocks.
29
What is resistivity in geological surveys?
Measurement of the difficulty with which electricity passes through a material ## Footnote Igneous rocks generally have high resistivities due to higher water content; sedimentary rocks have low resistivity.
30
What is trial drilling?
The most expensive sampling technique that produces actual rock samples from underground ## Footnote It is a land-based survey method.
31
What is the purpose of chemical analysis in geological surveys?
Laboratory tests to confirm the chemical composition and purity of minerals in rock samples
32
What is the function of satellite surveys in mineral exploration?
Utilize different wavelengths of infrared radiation to identify various minerals ## Footnote Different minerals emit infrared radiation at different wavelengths.
33
What does gravimetry measure?
Detects variations in gravity caused by differences in density and mass of rocks
34
What do magnetometers detect?
Rocks that are more magnetic, such as iron ore magnetite and ores of tungsten and cobalt
35
What factors affect mine viability?
1. Ore purity 2. Chemical form 3. Overburden and hydrology 4. Depth 5. Economic viability 6. Transport costs 7. Market economics
36
How does ore purity affect mining?
Low ore purity requires more rock to be mined, producing more waste, consuming more energy, and generating more pollution
37
What is the cut-off ore grade (COOG)?
The lowest ore purity that can be mined economically using existing technology
38
How does depth affect mining costs?
Deeper reserves increase extraction costs; decisions must be made whether to quarry or mine, both of which have high costs
39
What are the environmental impacts of mineral exploitation?
1. Amenity loss 2. Land take 3. Habitat loss 4. Air and water pollution 5. Traffic congestion 6. Spoil disposal 7. Flooding
40
What is land take in the context of mining?
Mineral extraction can cause conflicts with other local land uses, requiring more land than just the mine void
41
What is habitat loss due to mining?
The unavoidable loss of species in areas where minerals are extracted
42
What measures can reduce dust pollution in mining?
Water spraying can significantly reduce dust caused by blasting and vehicle movements
43
What is the impact of toxic leachate from spoil heaps?
Toxic metals can dissolve in acidic conditions created by rainwater percolating through spoil heaps
44
What are some methods to manage pollution from mining?
1. Sedimentation lagoons 2. Leachate collection 3. Spoil compaction 4. Landscaping
45
What is the importance of mine site restoration?
It allows for new uses of previously mined areas, such as wildlife reserves or urban development
46
What is a sedimentation lagoon?
A facility used to settle particles in drainage water to prevent turbidity
47
What are the benefits of exploiting deposits in regions with existing mining activities?
Access to existing transport infrastructure, energy, equipment supplies, and a trained workforce
48
What role does remote sensing play in mineral exploration?
Collects information about topography and surface deposits without direct contact
49
What is the relationship between resources and reserves?
Reserves are profitable deposits, while resources include both reserves and uneconomic deposits
50
True or False: Mining is a renewable resource.
False ## Footnote Minerals are non-renewable resources with a finite supply.
51
What future challenges does the mining industry face?
Rising costs of extraction, exploration, and environmental value; limited reserves
52
What is the general density comparison of igneous rocks to sedimentary rocks?
Igneous rocks are usually denser than sedimentary rocks.
53
What technique uses the strength of magnetism to detect magnetic rocks?
Magnetometry.
54
What do seismic surveys provide information about?
Depth, angle, density, and thickness of rock strata.
55
What is core sampling used for?
To guarantee the presence of a mineral deposit.
56
How can remote sensing improve exploration techniques?
By providing better image resolution and detecting a greater range of wavelengths.
57
What is the largest open cast mine in the world and its depth?
Phalaborwa, which is 450m deep.
58
What is a method to extract copper from low grade copper sulfide spoil heaps?
Using Thiobacillus bacteria.
59
What is bioleaching?
The use of live organisms to extract metals from ores.
60
What is phytomining?
A method where plants absorb metal ions from soil or water.
61
Fill in the blank: The use of another material to do the same job as a metal is called _______.
Substitution.
62
True or False: Recycling can alleviate the pressures to extract more reserves from the ground.
True.
63
What are polymetallic nodules and where are they found?
Metal-rich nodules found on the seabed of Earth’s oceans.
64
What is the environmental impact of recovering polymetallic nodules?
It disturbs the seabed and kills benthic organisms.
65
What is one advantage of using mechanised mining techniques?
They allow for more rapid and cost-effective mineral extraction.
66
What are rare earth metals used in?
Electrical and electronic appliances.
67
What is the challenge associated with exploiting rare earth metals?
Chemical separation is complicated and produces toxic wastes.
68
What does cradle to cradle design involve?
Designing products so that materials can be reused at the end of their useful lives.
69
What is one method of increasing the lifespan of mineral reserves?
Better exploration techniques.
70
What is the role of remote sensing in mineral exploration?
It allows for rapid aerial photography and precise identification of minerals.
71
What is the impact of deep mining on worker safety?
It allows mining in areas that may be too hot or dangerous for people.
72
What is the primary method of extracting metals from ores traditionally?
Smelting.
73
What is one disadvantage of recycling compared to extraction?
Recycling may involve higher transport costs for small quantities.
74
Fill in the blank: The process of collecting leachate from spoil heaps helps to _______ the concentration of metal ions.
increase.
75
What is the relationship between the purity of ore and energy required for extraction?
The amount of energy needed increases as the ore purity declines.
76
What is the significance of using portable field equipment?
It allows immediate results without waiting for laboratory tests.
77
What is a key challenge in recycling aluminum alloys?
They cannot easily be separated for reuse.
78
What is one strategy for extending the time period of mineral exploitation?
Improved extraction and processing methods.
79
What is the main use of synthetic and natural polymers in mineral extraction?
To adsorb metal ions from seawater.
80
What is the effect of rainwater percolating through spoil heaps?
It dissolves soluble metal ions.
81
What is one example of a method to reduce environmental damage from mining?
End-of-life strategies such as recycling.
82
What are some methods to improve extraction efficiency?
Geochemical methods, remote sensing, and improved technology.
83
What is the main drawback of using traditional smelting methods for low grade ores?
They are very expensive and require high energy inputs.
84
What is one characteristic of acidophilic bacteria used in bioleaching?
They can extract metals such as copper and zinc from low grade sources.

P1 Environmental Science Aqa A Level (19 decks)

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