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Questions and Answers
What are minerals classified as when their supply cannot be replenished?
What are minerals classified as when their supply cannot be replenished?
What process leads to the formation of coal?
What process leads to the formation of coal?
Which of the following is NOT a use of coal?
Which of the following is NOT a use of coal?
What percentage of South Africa's electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations?
What percentage of South Africa's electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations?
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How long did it take for coal to form from plant matter?
How long did it take for coal to form from plant matter?
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Which mineral is NOT mentioned as a main mineral mined in South Africa?
Which mineral is NOT mentioned as a main mineral mined in South Africa?
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In which environment did the plants that formed coal primarily exist?
In which environment did the plants that formed coal primarily exist?
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What is one of the first steps in the formation of coal?
What is one of the first steps in the formation of coal?
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What is one of the main reasons towns develop near mines?
What is one of the main reasons towns develop near mines?
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Which of the following is NOT a reason deep shaft mining is considered dangerous?
Which of the following is NOT a reason deep shaft mining is considered dangerous?
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What type of clothing is worn by miners to protect themselves?
What type of clothing is worn by miners to protect themselves?
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What health risks do miners face from lung diseases?
What health risks do miners face from lung diseases?
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What is a common health issue miners can catch due to cramped working conditions?
What is a common health issue miners can catch due to cramped working conditions?
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Which of the following describes a critical safety responsibility of mine owners?
Which of the following describes a critical safety responsibility of mine owners?
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What is one of the primary concerns of miners working in deep shafts?
What is one of the primary concerns of miners working in deep shafts?
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Which statement about training for miners is accurate?
Which statement about training for miners is accurate?
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What is the primary purpose of the Mine Health and Safety Act?
What is the primary purpose of the Mine Health and Safety Act?
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Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of mine owners according to the safety rules?
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of mine owners according to the safety rules?
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What does the process of hoisting in mining involve?
What does the process of hoisting in mining involve?
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What is a significant environmental impact of mining?
What is a significant environmental impact of mining?
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How does open pit mining affect the landscape?
How does open pit mining affect the landscape?
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What role does drilling play in the mining process?
What role does drilling play in the mining process?
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Which of the following activities is part of the mining process?
Which of the following activities is part of the mining process?
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Why is mining considered an expensive activity?
Why is mining considered an expensive activity?
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What is the purpose of ventilation shafts in shaft mining?
What is the purpose of ventilation shafts in shaft mining?
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What is a significant environmental impact of mining activities?
What is a significant environmental impact of mining activities?
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What happens to the water that comes into contact with minerals in the mine?
What happens to the water that comes into contact with minerals in the mine?
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What is 'acid water' in the context of mining waste?
What is 'acid water' in the context of mining waste?
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What contributes to the release of dust into the air during mining?
What contributes to the release of dust into the air during mining?
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What type of waste is primarily produced from shaft mining?
What type of waste is primarily produced from shaft mining?
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Which of these is a potential hazard caused by methane gas in mines?
Which of these is a potential hazard caused by methane gas in mines?
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What is one way that mining can destroy local ecosystems?
What is one way that mining can destroy local ecosystems?
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Study Notes
Grade 5 Term 4 Geography Study Notes
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South Africa's Mineral Resources: South Africa is rich in minerals. All rocks are composed of minerals, and minerals in rocks are valuable. Gold, silver, platinum, and copper are examples of valuable minerals found underground in mines.
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Minerals as Non-Renewable Resources: Natural resources include things like the sun, water, air, soil, fish, and trees. Minerals are natural resources found in rocks, but the amount of minerals in rocks is limited. When these resources are used up, there are no more.
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Main Minerals Mined in South Africa and Their Uses: Gold (yellow, SA and China, jewelry, money), Silver (silver, China and SA, jewelry), Copper (reddish, Chile and SA, electrical cables), Diamonds (various colours from clear to black, SA and Russia, jewelry, industrial drills), Platinum (silver to white, SA and Russia, motor engines, exhaust systems, jewelry), Chrome (silver, SA and Russia, stainless steel), Manganese (silver to black, SA and Ukraine, added to iron to make steel), Iron Ore (yellow to red, China and SA, making steel). Different locations in South Africa are known for different minerals.
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Coal as a Non-Renewable Resource: Coal forms from plant remains, not rocks. Coal is formed from trees and other plants that lived in swamps millions of years ago. It takes a very long time for coal to form. People use coal to generate electricity. It is burned in a furnace which produces steam that drives machines to generate electricity. Approximately 90% of South Africa's electricity comes from coal-fired power stations. Coal is also used to make plastic, petrol, soaps, shampoos, aspirin, fertilizers, and heating for homes.
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Location of Mines and Links to Settlement Patterns: Towns near mines develop to support miners and grow into cities, as seen in Johannesburg's development after the discovery of gold.
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Mining and People: Deep shaft mining is dangerous, costly, and complex due to small tunnels, low oxygen, constant dampness, and extreme heat underground. Miners face risks like dust, rockfalls, fires, methane gas, and explosives. Miners must wear protective gear like hard hats, goggles, and masks to stay safe and healthy. Safety rules, written in the Mine Health and Safety Act, are important to keep the workplace safe and reduce risk.
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Mining and the Environment: Mines negatively affect the environment. They pollute the air (dust from drilling, blasting, rock movement). Poisonous gases like methane can leak. Mines use a lot of water and large areas of land. Water from mines can be polluted and can cause problems for other living things in that area. Waste from mines is also a concern. The chemicals used in treating polluted water need careful handling to avoid further environmental issues.
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Types of Mining: Open-pit mining is used for minerals or coal near the surface (the hole is left open for trucks to drive in and collect the materials). Deep-shaft mining (or underground mining) is used for resources deep underground (drilling and blasting are used to move and create pathways into the mine). These are both essential to extract the minerals.
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Waste from Mines: Mining produces waste rock and soil, polluted water (acidic water), and broken/old equipment. Methods to counteract the pollution from the waste include purifying polluted water (treating it with chemicals), and reusing or recycling waste products like sand and rocks for building materials (bricks), and metal (scrap metal).
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Explore South Africa's rich mineral resources in this quiz! Learn about the various non-renewable minerals, their uses, and the importance of these resources to the economy. Test your knowledge on gold, silver, platinum, and more.
