SES 4UI: Mineral Resources & Mining Project
Due date: ____________________
In this project students will be asked to follow the following outline:
1) Introduction
Basic atomic/chemical information about the element (Atomic number, atomic mass, location on the
periodic table, chemical family, chemical/physical properties, discovery date, etc)
2) Minerals Mined and Geological Environment
List the commonly mined minerals that are a source for your metal/mineral. Discuss the rock types that
commonly host your metal/mineral. Discuss the geological environment (igneous, sedimentary,
metamorphic, hydrothermal, continental, etc.) Provide maps and pictures.
3) Mining Method
Open pit, underground, dredging, etc.
4) Processing the Ore (Method of separating ore from host rock and/or separating element from mineral)
Discuss the refining techniques that are used to separate a pure element from the mineral and the mineral
from its ore. (Ex. Crushing, flotation, smelting, electrowhinning, etc.)
5) Alloying (other metals mixed with the element to improve its physical qualities)
Most metals are mixed with other metals to improve their physical properties. Discuss alloys that involve
the metal you have chosen and the advantages of these alloys. Students selecting non-metallic minerals do
not need to complete this section.
6) Uses of the metal/mineral (products)
Discuss the most important uses of the element you have chosen. Provide pictures to support your text.
7) Location of Mines, Mineral Refining and Processing
The use of maps would improve the quality of this section. Focus on Canadian mineral deposits, mines and
processing if possible.
8) Economic Information
This is a difficult section - What is the value of your element (price per ton, price per ounce, etc.)? Is this
price fluctuating? What is the total annual value of production of this element? What countries are the
major producers? What percentage of world production occurs in Canada? Which countries are the major
consumers? Is your element becoming more or less important economically?
9) Environmental and ethical considerations
Discuss the environmental problems associated with mining and processing your element. Problems such
as mining wastes and pollutants, air pollution resulting from processing, energy demands, acid rain,
reclamation of open pit mines could be discussed. Can your metal/mineral be recycled (if so – how?)?
10) Interesting Facts
Other information that does not fit into the above section. For example interesting historical information or
interesting anecdotes/stories about the element would improve the quality of your presentation.
RESEARCH PROJECT CHOICES:
Students will choose an element and conduct research using a variety of sources. The report must be 1000 - 1500
words in length and should include illustrations and diagrams. Most students will actually find it difficult to stay
under the 1500 word limit. Focus your information and choose the most vital data. Hand in rough work (point
form notes, highlighted pages, etc.).
Suggested Choices:
Titanium
chromium
manganese
Copper
zinc
molybdenum
Silver
tin
tungsten
Diamonds
coal
salt
nickel
uranium
aluminum
mineral or metal of your choice (discuss with teacher)
iron
cobalt
platinum group minerals (PGM)
gold
lead
potash
gypsum
sulfur
phosphates
Format (Research Report)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
All information is to be included on 8 ½ x 11 pages
A title page must be included.
The project should be broken into short sections/chapters based on the outline.
A bibliography is required.
Rough copies and research information (point form notes or copies of information downloaded from the
internet or computer encyclopedias) must be handed in with the good copy.
PROJECT CONTENT
Introduction
Basic atomic/chemical information about the element (Atomic number, atomic mass, location on the periodic table, chemical family,
chemical/physical properties, discovery date, etc)
Minerals Mined and Geological Environment
List the commonly mined minerals that are a source for your metal/mineral. Discuss the rock types that commonly host your metal/mineral.
Discuss the geological environment (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic, hydrothermal, continental, etc.) Provide maps and pictures.
Mining Method
Open pit, underground, dredging, etc.
Processing the Ore (Method of separating ore from host rock and separating element from mineral)
Discuss the refining techniques that are used to separate a pure element from the mineral and the mineral from its ore. (Ex. Crushing,
flotation, smelting, electrowhinning, etc.)
Alloying (other metals mixed with the element to improve physical qualities)
Most metals are mixed with other metals to improve their physical properties. Discuss alloys that involve the metal you have chosen and the
advantages of these alloys. Students selecting non-metallic minerals do not need to complete this section.
Uses of the metal/mineral (products)
Discuss the most important uses of the element. Provide pictures to support your text.
Location of Mines, Mineral Refining and Processing
The use of maps would improve the quality of this section. Focus on Canadian mineral deposits, mines and processing if possible.
Economic Information
This is a difficult section - What is the value of your element (price per ton, price per ounce, etc.)? Is this price fluctuating? What is the total
annual value of production of this element? What countries are the major producers? What percentage of world production occurs in Canada?
Which countries are the major consumers? Is your element becoming more or less important economically?
Environmental and ethical considerations
Discuss the environmental problems associated with mining and processing your element. Problems such as mining wastes and pollutants, air
pollution resulting from processing, energy demands, acid rain, reclamation of open pit mines could be discussed. Can your metal/mineral be
recycled (if so – how?)?
Interesting Facts
Other information that does not fit into the above section. For example interesting historical information or interesting anecdotes/stories about
the element would improve the quality of your presentation.
Making Connections (Overall Mark)
R or Inc
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4