Download Life_Cycle_of_a_Mineral_Project

Name: _____________________
Science 1
The Life Cycle of a Mineral
1. Choose a mineral from the following list:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Bauxite
Halite
Graphite
Kernite
Serpentine
Turquoise
g. Kaolinite
h. Talc
i. Cuprite
j. Muscovite
k. Calcite
l. Pyrite
m. Sulfur
n. Quartz
o. Gypsum
p. Copper
q. Fluorite
r. Gold
s. Malachite
t. Azurite
u. Zeolite
v. Chromite
w. Gallium
x. Diamond
2. Research the following information about the mineral and complete the mineral chart on the back of this
paper. (Some good websites are http://minerals.usgs.gov/mineralofthemonth/ and
http://www.galleries.com/Mineral_Properties)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Chemical Composition
Source of mineral (is it found in certain rocks or ores?)
How it is obtained (mined)
Where it is mined/produced
Domestic (U.S.) production of mineral
Uses for the mineral (at least four)
Domestic consumption: how much does the U.S. consume on a yearly basis?
Current market price of mineral
Can this mineral be recycled?
Websites where you can find this info:
3. Life Cycle of Your Mineral Poster:
a. Choose a product that is made of your mineral.
b. Create a flow chart on a poster that traces the path of your mineral as it is mined, turned into a
product, used by people, and then discarded/recycled. Your poster should include the following
steps/processes:
□ Mining of mineral: description of how mineral is mined
□ Manufacturing of product: how the product is made
□ Consumption of product: who consumes the product and how
□ Recycling and/or disposal of product:
c. Each step/process (from part b) should include the following:
√ Description: description of the process
√ Data: data related to the process
√ Picture: diagrams or photos illustrating the process
√ Environmental impacts: how the process impacts the environment
√ Transportation: where the product goes next and how it gets there
Mineral Chart
Requirement
Name and chemical
composition of mineral
Source of mineral
(rock, ore, etc.)
How mineral is mined
Where mineral is mined
Domestic (U.S.)
production of mineral
Uses for the mineral
(at least 4)
Domestic consumption of
mineral (how much the
U.S. consumes per year)
Current market price of
mineral
Can the mineral be
recycled? If yes, how?
Fun facts about the
mineral
Research
Source of information
(website, article, etc.)