Transcript Chapter 26 Minerals and the Environment Botkin and Keller

Chapter 26
Minerals and the
Environment
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
How Mineral Deposits Are
Formed
• Ore Deposits – formed when metals are
concentrated in anomalously high amounts
by geological processes
• Mineral resources are usually extracted
from ore deposits
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Resources and Reserves
• Minerals are classified as:
– 1. Mineral Resources
• Elements, chemical compounds, minerals or rocks
that can be extracted to obtain a usable commodity
– 1. Mineral Reserves
• The portion of the resource that is identified and
from which usable materials can be legally and
economically extracted at the time of evaluation
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Availability of Mineral Resources
• When the availability of a mineral becomes
limited, there are 4 possible solutions:
1. Find more sources
2. Recycle and reuse what has already been
obtained
3. Reduce consumption
4. Find a substitute
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Impacts of Mineral Development
• Environmental Impacts
– Depends on many factors – mining procedures,
climate, rock type, etc.
• Social Impacts
– Increased demand for housing and services in
mining areas
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Minimizing Environmental
Impact of Mineral Development
• Environmental regulations at the federal,
state and local levels
• On-site and off-site treatment of waste
• Practicing the 3 R’s of waste management
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Minerals and Sustainability
• R-to-C Ratio
– A measure of the time available for finding the
solutions to depletion of nonrenewable
resources
– R = known reserves
– C = rate of consumption
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e
Botkin and Keller
Environmental Science 5e