Download Mineral Resource Report

AP Environmental Science: Mineral Resource Report
Procedure:
After you have picked a specific mineral resource, you will gather information from about the following aspects
of that mineral resource. Organize your information in the outline format shown below. When finished, drop
your work into the “Levy” drop folder in the “O” Drive Folder.
a. Geological Occurrence – How does it form naturally in the Earth’s crust?
b. Location (Mining Regions)
1. U.S. (specific states or everywhere)
2. World (specific countries or everywhere)
c. Exploration Techniques – How does the industry find new mineral deposits?
d. Mining Techniques - How does the industry extract the mineral deposits?
e. Milling (processing) Techniques - how is the mineral deposit refined into a more pure form?
f. Uses – Identify six separate and specific uses for your resource.
g. Environmental Problems – Are there any problems associated with either the extraction or the use of
the mineral resource?
h. Future Outlook - based on current use trends and population growth, how much of the mineral
resource is left in the Earth’s crust AND at the current rate of use, what is the approximate
timeframe for complete exhaustion of the resource?
Topics:
Salt
Silver
Platinum
Nickel
Silica (quartz)
Sulfur
Lead
Garnet
Aluminum
Gypsum
Copper
Diamond
Gold
Graphite
Iron ore
Coal
Bauxite (aluminum)
Oil