Topic Five (1.5): Sustainable use of Rocks and Minerals
Introduction
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- define sustainable resources and sustainable development
- describe and evaluate strategies for the sustainable use of rocks and minerals:
- increased efficiency of the extraction of rocks and minerals
- increased efficiency of the use of rocks and minerals
- the need to recycle rocks and minerals
- legislation
- Case Study: study the development, impact and management of a mine, including land restoration after the mine has closed.
While each learner is different, it is suggested that you spend around 2 hours on this topic.
Read
Read Section 1.5 ‘Sustainable use of rocks and minerals’, pages 16–24. Complete all of the activities. Pay particular attention to the key points listed below.
Key Points:
- Increased efficiency of extraction means increasing the percentage of the desired rock or mineral that is collected through better extraction techniques, secondary reprocessing of mine waste (chemical or biological) and high-performance machines.
- Increased efficiency of use means using less of the finished product, e.g. more-efficient coal power stations, engineering designs which use less metal.
- Recycling means recovering and reusing metal, as this uses less energy than processing ores.
- Case Study: Island Copper Mine, Canada – ensure you have clear notes under the headings development, impact and management.
Tasks
Your course book does not fully define the term sustainable development. Using the sustainable development link below: 1) Define sustainable development, 2) Copy the Venn diagram, 3) Summarise the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Link
Use the following link to extend your understanding.
An article on new technologies in coal extraction.
READ - How Do We Get Coal? (Mining Technology) Links to an external site.
Download
Read the following worksheet, it is a factsheet on mineral recycling in the UK.
READ - Recycling of Minerals (ODPM) Download READ - Recycling of Minerals (ODPM)
Extension Material
Use this resource if you would like to explore this topic in more detail, which is the original reclamation plan from 1979.
READ - The Island Copper Mine Reclamation Plan (ABCMRS) Download READ - The Island Copper Mine Reclamation Plan (ABCMRS)
Quiz
Now that you have completed all the topics, it is time to check your understanding by taking the multiple-choice quiz. You must pass this quiz before moving on to the next Module. Remember you can do the quiz as many times as you want to practice and learn. Use it as an opportunity to test yourself!
Assignment
When you are fully prepared, feel confident with the material and have passed the quiz, you should complete Assignment One and submit it to your tutor via Canvas for marking and feedback.