Impacts of Mining (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Flashcards
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- FrontMining of Ores
Define lower grade ore.
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Cards in this collection (38)
Define lower grade ore.
A lower grade ore contains smaller concentrations of valuable minerals, so it requires more extensive processing to extract usable material.
Why do mining companies turn to lower grade ores?
Mining companies turn to lower grade ores as high-grade ores become depleted.
Define surface mining.
Surface mining is the removal of large sections of soil and rock, known as overburden, to access minerals near the Earth's surface.
True or False?
Extracting minerals from lower grade ores uses less energy and water.
False.
Lower grade ores need more energy to extract and process, and higher water usage for chemical separation, increasing strain on local water sources.
Surface mining is more common than underground mining because it is cheaper and .
Surface mining is more common than underground mining because it is cheaper and safer.
Why does mining lower grade ores raise consumer prices for metals?
More ore must be processed to obtain the same yield, which increases operational costs that can be passed on to consumers as higher prices.
Define strip mining.
Strip mining is surface mining that removes long strips of land to extract minerals located close to the surface.
Which ores are extracted by open-pit mining?
Open-pit mining excavates large, deep pits to extract gold, copper, and iron ore.
Define acid mine drainage (AMD).
Acid mine drainage (AMD) forms when exposed sulfide-bearing rock and tailings react with air and water, producing sulfuric acid.
Which chemicals used in ore extraction increase the risk of soil and water contamination?
The use of cyanide and sulfuric acid in ore extraction increases the risk of soil and water contamination.
Why do mining spoils often prevent plant regrowth?
Mining spoils (waste materials) are often acidic, which prevents plants from regrowing.
What happened to the Berkeley Pit in Montana after mining ceased in 1982?
Groundwater flooded the pit, where highly acidic water (pH ~2.5) mixed with heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium accumulated.
Define tailings.
Tailings are the finely ground rock and chemical byproducts left after ore processing, stored in tailing ponds.
True or False?
Heavy metals in mining waste become less soluble in acidic conditions.
False.
Acidic conditions make heavy metals far more soluble, so they leach out of soil and rock into water, where organisms take them up.
Define slag.
Slag is the residue left after smelting ores, mainly composed of metal oxides.
Why does mining lower grade ores increase habitat destruction?
Larger mining operations are needed to process more ore, expanding deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil erosion, as seen with gold mining in the Amazon rainforest.
Overburden removed to reach ore deposits is often piled into heaps.
Overburden removed to reach ore deposits is often piled into spoil heaps.
How can mining pollution affect areas far beyond the mine site?
Heavy metals, acid mine drainage, and tailings runoff flow through the surrounding watershed, contaminating rivers and groundwater downstream.
How do lined pits protect groundwater from mining waste?
Lined pits are sealed with impermeable liners, such as compacted clay or synthetic geomembranes, which stop toxic slurry seeping into the underlying soil.
Define land reclamation.
Land reclamation is restoring mined lands by planting vegetation and stabilizing waste piles.
How can tailings and slag be recycled?
Some tailings and slag can be reused in construction materials or road-building.
Which form of surface coal mining especially destroys forests and ecosystems?
Mountaintop removal is a form of surface mining that especially destroys forests and ecosystems.
Define subsurface mining.
Subsurface mining is the process of extracting coal from underground deposits through tunnels and shafts.
Which toxic heavy metals exposed by coal mining can leach into groundwater?
Coal mining exposes toxic heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, which can leach into groundwater.
How does acid mine drainage form?
Acid mine drainage forms when sulfide minerals react with water and air, producing sulfuric acid that contaminates rivers and groundwater.
True or False?
Black lung disease in miners is caused by breathing methane gas.
False.
Black lung disease is a respiratory disease caused by coal dust from mining operations.
Which potent greenhouse gas is released from coal seams?
Methane (CH₄) is released from coal seams, contributing to climate change.
When is subsurface mining used instead of surface mining?
Subsurface mining is used when coal reserves are too deep for surface mining methods.
How does soil compaction from mining equipment affect mined land?
Soil compaction from mining equipment reduces the ability of vegetation to regrow.
Define longwall mining.
Longwall mining is the dominant modern method of subsurface coal extraction, in which a long mechanized cutting machine slices large blocks off a coal seam while hydraulic roof supports hold up the roof.
How does erosion from coal mining harm aquatic ecosystems?
Increased erosion causes sediment buildup in nearby water bodies, which harms aquatic ecosystems.
In longwall mining, the rock above the worked-out area is allowed to safely behind the hydraulic roof supports.
In longwall mining, the rock above the worked-out area is allowed to collapse safely behind the hydraulic roof supports.
True or False?
Modern subsurface coal mining relies on large numbers of miners using hand tools.
False.
Modern subsurface mining is highly mechanized; a typical longwall face is run by a small team of around 6-10 people per shift.
How do coal processing and transport affect nearby communities?
Particulate matter from coal processing and transport can reduce air quality in surrounding communities.
Define land subsidence.
Land subsidence is when mined-out areas collapse, causing ground instability, damage to buildings and infrastructure, and sometimes sinkholes.
Why does subsurface mining have high operational costs?
Subsurface mining requires specialized machinery, ventilation systems, and structural reinforcements to prevent collapses.
True or False?
Subsurface mining extracts coal more quickly than surface mining.
False.
Subsurface mining is more time-consuming, whereas surface mining removes coal in large quantities.
Which hazards make subsurface mining one of the most dangerous jobs?
Exposure to toxic gases, explosions, and cave-ins makes subsurface mining one of the most dangerous jobs.
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