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 constructiongypsum 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.