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Questions and Answers
What is the process of taking out minerals from rocks buried under the earth's surface called?
What is the process of taking out minerals from rocks buried under the earth's surface called?
Which type of mining involves making deep bores called shafts to reach mineral deposits at great depths?
Which type of mining involves making deep bores called shafts to reach mineral deposits at great depths?
Where are non-metallic minerals like limestone typically found according to the text?
Where are non-metallic minerals like limestone typically found according to the text?
Which continent produces more than half of the world's tin according to the text?
Which continent produces more than half of the world's tin according to the text?
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Where are large iron ore deposits found, according to the text?
Where are large iron ore deposits found, according to the text?
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Which region of North America has vast deposits of copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver?
Which region of North America has vast deposits of copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver?
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What are metallic minerals characterized by?
What are metallic minerals characterized by?
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How can minerals be identified?
How can minerals be identified?
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What is the distinguishing feature of metallic minerals?
What is the distinguishing feature of metallic minerals?
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Which type of minerals contain iron but are non-ferrous?
Which type of minerals contain iron but are non-ferrous?
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What is a distinguishing characteristic of non-metallic minerals?
What is a distinguishing characteristic of non-metallic minerals?
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Which mineral fuels are considered non-metallic minerals?
Which mineral fuels are considered non-metallic minerals?
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Study Notes
Minerals
- Minerals are naturally occurring substances with definite chemical compositions.
- Accessibility varies; minerals are often found in remote locations like the Arctic and Antarctica.
- Formed through natural geological processes without human intervention and can be identified by physical properties (color, density, hardness) and chemical properties (solubility).
- Distribution is uneven, with minerals concentrated in specific areas or rock formations.
Types of Minerals
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Metallic Minerals: Contain metal in raw form; examples include iron ore, bauxite, and manganese ore.
- Ferrous Minerals: Contain iron; examples are iron ore, manganese, and chromite.
- Non-Ferrous Minerals: Do not contain iron; may include gold, silver, copper, and lead.
- Non-Metallic Minerals: Do not contain metals; examples include limestone, mica, and gypsum. Mineral fuels like coal and petroleum also fall under non-metallic minerals.
Extraction of Minerals
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Mining: The process of extracting minerals from beneath the earth’s surface.
- Open-Cast Mining: Involves removing surface layers to access shallow mineral deposits.
- Shaft Mining: Involves creating deep shafts to reach minerals buried at greater depths.
- Drilling: Deep wells are bored to extract petroleum and natural gas.
- Quarrying: Surface minerals are simply dug out.
Distribution of Minerals
- Minerals are found in various rock types:
- Igneous Rocks: Known for containing metallic minerals; examples include iron-ore in Sweden and nickel in Ontario, Canada.
- Metamorphic Rocks: Also contain metallic minerals; examples include deposits in South Africa.
- Sedimentary Rocks: Contain non-metallic minerals like limestone and mineral fuels, found in locations such as the Caucasus and Algeria.
Global Distribution of Minerals
- Asia: Home to significant iron ore deposits, producing over half of the world's tin; leading producers include China, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
- Europe: The top iron-ore producer globally, with large deposits in Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, and France.
- North America: Mineral deposits located in three regions; the Canadian Shield features iron ore and nickel, while the Appalachian region is rich in coal.
- South America: Brazil stands out as the leading mineral producer, with significant resources.
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Description
Test your knowledge on minerals, naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical composition. Learn about how minerals are formed, their properties, and where they are found.
