Key Terms: Mineral Security (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Ore mineral security - key terms

Critical resource – A mineral or material essential for modern economies, with potential supply risks due to limited distribution.

Geological formation – The physical conditions that produce ore deposits, such as subduction zones (porphyry deposits) and mid-ocean ridges (massive sulphide deposits).

Mineral ore – A concentration of a mineral in rock that is economically viable to extract.

Ore – Naturally occurring rock that contains enough valuable metal to make extraction economically worthwhile.

Porphyry ore – The most common type of copper deposit, with low copper content but found in large quantities, often alongside other minerals.

Strata-bound deposits – Copper-rich deposits formed by chemical interactions between sea water and sediments, with very high copper content.

Extracting ore - key terms

Acid rain – Caused by sulphur dioxide emissions from smelting, contributing to environmental degradation.

Air pollution – A consequence of dust and emissions from open-pit mining and ore transport, especially in dry regions.

Arsenic contamination – A toxic by-product of copper extraction, often found in mine workers’ blood and local water supplies.

Deforestation – Large-scale removal of vegetation for mining sites, resulting in habitat destruction and erosion.

Desalination – The process used in Chile to provide water to high-altitude copper mines, often at high environmental and financial cost.

Environmental regulations – Often poorly enforced around major copper mines, leading to widespread pollution and health impacts.

Groundwater extraction – The lowering of water tables due to excessive pumping for mining, which can deprive local communities of water.

Open-pit mining – A method of ore extraction involving removal of large surface areas, leading to landscape scarring and habitat loss.

Ore refining – Involves crushing, filtering, and smelting; generates toxic waste and requires substantial water and energy input.

Seawater use – Desalinated seawater is piped to mines in arid regions, increasing the carbon footprint and operational costs.

Sustainable practices – Strategies such as recycling, mine rehabilitation, pollution control, and international trade agreements to reduce long-term environmental damage.

Wastewater – Contaminated by ore processing, often discharged into rivers and streams, affecting ecosystems and drinking water.