ES - Lithosphere

• What geological process produces mineral resources through hot water deposits?

  Hydrothermal deposition
• How does hydrothermal deposition form mineral veins?

  Hot mineral-rich water cools along faults
• What is a rock containing a useful metal element called?

  Ore
• What is chalcopyrite an example of?

  Copper ore
• What is cassiterite known as?

  Tin ore
• What happens during fractional crystallization?

  Minerals crystallize based on density/melting point
• What occurs as an igneous intrusion cools?

  Different minerals separate and crystallize
• How do metamorphic processes affect sedimentary rock?

  They recrystallize it into metamorphic rock
• What happens when two tectonic plates collide?

  Rocks recrystallize due to high temperature and pressure
• What does limestone become through recrystallization?

  Marble
• What does mudstone become through recrystallization?

  Slate
• What was the first oxygen produced by?

  Cyanobacteria
• What did the oxygen produced by cyanobacteria create in the oceans?

  Iron oxide with free iron
• What is Banded Iron Formation (BIF)?

  Iron oxide produced from cyanobacteria activity
• What do sedimentary processes cause in terms of mineral deposits?

  Minerals to be deposited and concentrated
• What are Alluvial Deposits?

  Deposits where dense minerals settle as water energy decreases
• What valuable salts were left behind after the Permian ocean evaporated?

  Gypsum, calcite, halite, potassium salts
• What is Secondary Enrichment in mineral deposits?

  Metals transported in solution precipitate out due to oxygen changes
• What are biological sediments?

  Mineral deposits created by living organisms
• What is the definition of a mineral deposit?

  Any rock containing at least one mineral
• What is the definition of ore?

  A rock containing a mineral that can be exploited commercially
• What does grade refer to in mineral deposits?

  The percentage of metal in the ore
• What is the cut-off grade?

  The minimum percentage of metal for economic viability
• What do reserves include?

  The amount of material that can be exploited economically
• What do resources include?

  All material that could be exploited economically
• What is stock in terms of mineral resources?

  All material in the lithosphere, including unexploitable
• How can reserves increase?

  With an increase in market price or new technologies
• What happens to reserves if market prices drop?

  Reserves may decrease
• How do reserves increase as cut-off grade falls?

  Lower grade ores become economically viable
• What is Lasky's principle regarding mineral purity?

  Lower purity requires exponentially more ore for the same volume
• What is the major problem with future mineral supplies?

  Need to exploit low-grade deposits cost-effectively
• What factors affect the viability of a mine?

  Ore purity, energy costs, and geological surveys
• What is COOG?

  The lowest purity that can be mined economically
• What is the impact of overburden on mining costs?

  Large overburden increases removal costs
• How does hydrology affect mining operations?

  High water tables require frequent drainage
• What factors affect transport costs in mining?

  Distance to market and bulk transport methods
• What is the environmental impact of mineral exploitation?

  Land damage, air pollution, and habitat loss
• What is land take in mining?

  Area damaged by mining operations
• How does open cast mining compare to deep mining?

  Open cast mining causes more habitat damage
• What are some methods to mitigate dust pollution in mining?

  Using water sprays