Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of surface mining?
To remove shallow deposits by taking out overburden first
What are the harmful environmental effects of removing metals from ores?
Air pollution and loss of rivers and streams
Which mining method involves using cyanide salt to extract gold from its ore, leading to environmental hazards?
Mountaintop removal
What is the main reason for the scarring and disruption of land surfaces as a result of mining?
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Which type of ore contains a profitable concentration of a mineral?
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What is the major concern related to subsurface mining that can lead to acid mine drainage?
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What is one way to improve mining technology mentioned in the text?
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How can mineral resources be used more sustainably according to the text?
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What is the main focus of the Nanotechnology Revolution discussed in the text?
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Which method is NOT suggested in the text as a way to use mineral resources more sustainably?
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What is one drawback mentioned in the text concerning high-strength plastics?
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What was the primary initiative of the Pollution Prevention Pays program by 3M company?
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What are the three major types of rocks found in the Earth's crust?
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Which type of rock forms below or at Earth's surface from magma?
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What is the main environmental effect of extracting and using mineral resources?
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Which type of rock is formed by sediments from eroded rocks or plant/animal remains?
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What process slowly recycles the three major types of rocks found in the Earth's crust?
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What type of rock results from a preexisting rock subjected to high pressures and high temperatures?
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What are the environmental impacts of extracting a mineral resource as we get closer to depleting it?
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What can lead to an increase in the supply of a scarce mineral resource?
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What are some ways to deal with economically depleted mineral resources?
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What impact can market prices have on nonrenewable minerals?
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What was the purpose of the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872?
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What are some factors that limit the mining of lower-grade ores?
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