Download Mining - ClassNet

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Learning Goal: I can identify important
materials mined by Canadians; I can
differentiate between common mining types.
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Mining Literacy Reading
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Types of Mining
Strip Mining
 Used for extracting minerals located in horizontal
layers. Examples: oil sands and coal
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Overburden is removed (trees, rocks)
Blast apart horizontal layers
Ore is collected and sent for processing
Open Pit Mining
 Used to extract minerals that are near the surface but
extend deep into the earth
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Overburden is removed
Blast apart several layers of earth/rock to create deep pits
Ore is collected and sent for processing
Some mines can be seen from space
A digging wheel at work.
A digging
wheel closeup.
Bigger size
= greater
efficiency,
right?!
Underground Mining
 Used to collect minerals deep in the earth
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Rock is blasted apart in the earth
Ore is collected and crushed into ‘muck’
Muck is hoisted to the surface where it is processed
Wire mesh to prevent loose rocks from falling.
A scooptram at work.
To the Last Drop: Canada’s Dirty Oil Sands
In your notes complete the organizer below;
Positive Result from Alberta's Oil
Sands
Negative Impacts from Alberta’s
Oil Sands
- Economic
-People’s health (cancer rates are
high)
-Aboriginal Land damaged
-Water damaged - environmental
-Land damaged – environmental
-Animals have genetic defects
Discussion: How should/could Canada operate knowing what we do about the
impacts the Oil Sands have on a regional and global level?
The day you waited for is finally here. Mr. Meyer was just elected as the new
Prime Minister of Canada as part of the Liberal party. One of the first
problems Mr. Meyer would like to tackle is this oil sands issue. While the oil
sands provide a strong economy to the province of Alberta and Canada as a
whole, there are serious health and environmental impacts.
Mr. Meyer has hired you as part of his environmental team to develop an
action plan for dealing with this issue.
In a group of 3-4 people develop an action plan that addresses the economic
needs of the province and Canada while also minimizing health and
environmental impacts. Remember that you were hired by Mr. Meyer, so long
as your action plan is reasonable, any new laws created SHOULD be backed
by Parliament.
Use the textbook, your knowledge of the issue, and your cell phone to
determine a possible action plan for dealing with the oil sands issue. How can
Canada still make money AND keep health and environmental issues to a
minimum?
1. Negative Impact on the Environment
2. Abandoned Mines: What happens to the land
after an ore body runs out and a mine closes?
3. Loss of Jobs: About 50% of the minerals mined
in Canada are exported before any processing is
done.
4. Exhausting the Supply
5. Staying Competitive: In order to compete
with other countries, we must start lowering our
production costs and processing our minerals at
a lower cost.
6. Boom-Bust Towns: Towns must diversify in
order to stay alive after a mine closes.
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Read Chapter 26 (Yes, all of it!!!! Starts on page 326
– you CAN do it)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How do federal and provincial governments help the
mining industry in Canada? (It is in the chapter! Find it)
Describe the role of a geologist.
Briefly describe how metallic minerals are processed.
Explain 3 issues facing Canada’s mining industry. (Page
338 is a good place to look)
Complete page 337 #5, 6, 9 and page 341 #1, 2
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It has been suggested that garbage from a southern Canadian city be
disposed of in abandoned mines in the north. Construct a graphic organizer
listing the good points and bad points of this plan
Pros of Garbage in a Mine
Cons of Garbage in a Mine