Introduction to the Mineral
Exploration Activity
Do Now!
Minerals & Mineral Resources
What is a mineral?
How are mineral resources
obtained?
 What is the importance of
minerals? What are some of
their uses?
Write down your
thoughts in your journal. Be
ready to share your answers
What is a mineral?
• A naturally occurring,
inorganic solid
• Atoms arranged in an orderly
arrangement
• Elements or compounds
• Fixed chemical formula
• Characteristic physical
properties
SiO2 Quartz
The Formation of Mineral Deposits
Geological and biological processes
selectively dissolve, transport, and
deposit rocks and minerals.
• The Rock Cycle
• Plate Tectonics
• Biological
Processes
The Formation of Mineral Deposits
Geological and biological processes selectively dissolve,
transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.
The Rock Cycle
• The ongoing process
of rock formation &
breakdown.
•
3 types of rock
o Igneous
o Sedimentary
o Metamorphic
The Formation of Mineral Deposits
Geological and biological processes selectively dissolve,
transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.
Plate Tectonics
• Responsible for the
formation of some
mineral deposits
• Metallic ores are
deposited in the
crust at divergent
and convergent
plate boundaries
The Formation of Mineral Deposits
Geological and biological processes selectively dissolve,
transport, and deposit rocks and minerals.
Biological Processes
• Organisms can form many kinds
of minerals
o Minerals of biological origin
contribute significantly to
sedimentary deposits.
o 31 different biologically
produced minerals identified,
some of which cannot be
formed inorganically in the
biosphere.
o Ex. Ca in shells and bones.
The Distribution of Mineral Deposits
• During the formation of the Earth, gravitational attraction of
matter, increase in mass, & heating caused heavier metals (Fe,
Ni) to sink to the center.
• Therefore, the crust consists of generally lighter elements.
• Elements in the crust are not uniformly distributed because of
geologic processes and some biological processes that
selectively dissolve, transport, and deposit elements and
minerals.
• The result of geologic activity (over geologic time) concentrating
minerals in high amounts produced ore deposits, which humans
have exploited.
• Mineral deposits are nonrenewable resources from our geologic
past.
The Distribution of Mineral Deposits
Earth’s Crust
– Primarily rock of silica and oxygen (silicates)
– 8 elements account for ~99% of the crust by weight
– O2, Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K
Oceans
– Cover 2/3 of Earth’s surface, and is a reservoir for many
elements and compounds (cycles unit).
– Most are weathered from crustal rocks and carried to the
oceans by rivers; some by wind or glaciers (cycles unit).
– Concentrations of most minerals, except Salt and Mg, are
low and so are not economical to extract.
Mining and the Significance of
Mineral Resources
 What is mining?
*Process of extracting minerals from the Earth.
Why is it necessary?
*Everything we use/purchase is made from minerals &
they have important functions in human health.
*Modern society depends on minerals and availability
of mineral resources is a measure of the wealth of a
society.
Mineral Exploration Activity
In assigned groups of 3-4 you will rotate to each lab table and
observe the minerals at each station.
• Fill in the handout as you travel to each station.
– You may carefully touch/handle all except one- Realgar, which is in the 4th
group of minerals. It is clearly identified and in a Ziplock baggie inside a
plastic container- it needs to remain this way.
– Add Aluminum (Al) and (C) to the 1st group of minerals.
– Add Pyrite (FeS2) to the 4th group of minerals.
– Note the appearance of the “unknown” Actinolite, the last mineral,
compared to the crystalline appearance of the other minerals observed.
What chemical group would you place it in?
– Talk with your lab partners- Look at the chemical the composition of each
group of minerals. Discuss why are they grouped this way and what you
think each of the minerals is used for. Your lab handout must be filled in!
• Return each station to its original condition before rotating.
• After viewing all stations, return to your seats for class discussion.
Minerals and their uses
Classification of Minerals Based
on Commercial Value:
Ore minerals- minerals that are valuable
and economical to extract
•Gangue minerals- minerals that have
no commercial value
Resource versus Reserve:
•Resource- minerals concentrated in a form that we
can extract to obtain something that can be bought
and sold. Can be extracted economically. Exploited.
•Reserve- portion of a resource whose location and
amount are known and which can be legally and
economically extracted at the time of evaluation.
Potential.
*Note: Resources are NOT reserves. Estimating
future resources (reserves) is important for planning purposes.
Use & Availability of Mineral
Resources
• In addition to commercial or economic value, minerals
can be classified by use and availability.
• Nonmetal minerals are the most widely used.
• The Earth’s geologic history as well as the cost of mining
determines availability.
• Solutions to limited mineral supplies include:
–
–
–
–
Finding new sources
Recycling & reusing what has already been obtained
Reducing consumption
Finding a substitute
Mineral Consumption in the US
• A mineral resource can be
used in 3 ways
• Increase population &
standard of living increases
consumption
• The US exceeds its own
supplies of many minerals
• A lot of what we throw
away is still useful
Minimizing Environmental
Impacts of Mineral Development
• Generation of waste is a major issue
• Minimizing environmental effects of mineral
development:
– Regulate the environment at the federal, state,
and local levels
– On-site and off-site treatment of waste
– Reduce, reuse, recycle