Mining and QuarryingMining and Quarrying

Not just an industrial and/or Not just an industrial and/or energy source!energy source!

Reasons to mine or quarry a Reasons to mine or quarry a resource:resource:

On a piece of paper, write your name On a piece of paper, write your name and list five things, other than and list five things, other than energy, for which materials are energy, for which materials are mined.mined.

Some materials which are Some materials which are mined or quarried:mined or quarried:

LimestoneLimestone is produced from the mineral calcite is produced from the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate) and sediment. The main source (calcium carbonate) and sediment. The main source of limestone is the limy ooze formed in the ocean. of limestone is the limy ooze formed in the ocean. The calcium carbonate can be precipitated from The calcium carbonate can be precipitated from ocean water or it can be formed from sea creatures ocean water or it can be formed from sea creatures that secrete lime such as algae and coral. that secrete lime such as algae and coral. Chalk is another type of limestone that is made up of very Chalk is another type of limestone that is made up of very

small single-celled organisms. Chalk is usually white or gray small single-celled organisms. Chalk is usually white or gray in color. in color.

Limestone can easily be dissolved by acids. If you drop Limestone can easily be dissolved by acids. If you drop vinegar on limestone it will fizz. Put a limestone rock into a vinegar on limestone it will fizz. Put a limestone rock into a plastic jar and cover it with vinegar. Cover the jar and watch plastic jar and cover it with vinegar. Cover the jar and watch the bubbling of the calcium carbonate and also the the bubbling of the calcium carbonate and also the disintegration of the rock over a few days. disintegration of the rock over a few days.

LimestoneLimestone

Limestone is of rather low value, but nevertheless it is probably the Limestone is of rather low value, but nevertheless it is probably the most important mineral. It is mined and used in large amounts, which most important mineral. It is mined and used in large amounts, which often conflicts with the protection of karst areas and caves. often conflicts with the protection of karst areas and caves.

In history man used first the flint nodules, which are common in In history man used first the flint nodules, which are common in limestone. Later, after he become resident he used the rock for limestone. Later, after he become resident he used the rock for building purposes. Various kinds of limestone and marble were used building purposes. Various kinds of limestone and marble were used for walls, pillars and much more. The soft rock was used to produce for walls, pillars and much more. The soft rock was used to produce sculptures. Even limestone roofs and floors were built. sculptures. Even limestone roofs and floors were built.

With the increase of technology many more usages of lime were With the increase of technology many more usages of lime were found. It is burnt in kilns to produce lime, white color and finally found. It is burnt in kilns to produce lime, white color and finally cement. It is needed to produce glass, porcelain, or as addition in the cement. It is needed to produce glass, porcelain, or as addition in the melting of many metals. It is used to purify coal and the waste gas of melting of many metals. It is used to purify coal and the waste gas of power plants using carbon based fuel. Limestone neutralizes many power plants using carbon based fuel. Limestone neutralizes many toxic substances, especially sulfur oxide and sulfur dioxide. In toxic substances, especially sulfur oxide and sulfur dioxide. In combination with sulfur it is converted into gypsum. combination with sulfur it is converted into gypsum.

Limestone is typically quarried, as it occurs in huge sedimentary Limestone is typically quarried, as it occurs in huge sedimentary layers, and as mining is to expensive. layers, and as mining is to expensive.

What has limestone been used What has limestone been used for?for?

Most notably, limestone was quarried Most notably, limestone was quarried to build the Great Pyramids at Giza.to build the Great Pyramids at Giza.

Gold and other precious Gold and other precious metalsmetals

Gold is the most malleable and ductile Gold is the most malleable and ductile metal; a single gram can be beaten metal; a single gram can be beaten into a sheet of one square meter, or an into a sheet of one square meter, or an ounce into 300 square feet. Gold leaf ounce into 300 square feet. Gold leaf can be beaten thin enough to become can be beaten thin enough to become translucent. The transmitted light translucent. The transmitted light appears greenish blue, because gold appears greenish blue, because gold strongly reflects yellow and red. strongly reflects yellow and red.

BronzeBronze

Bronze: any of various alloys Bronze: any of various alloys consisting essentially of copper and consisting essentially of copper and tin, the tin content not exceeding 11 tin, the tin content not exceeding 11 percent. percent.

MarbleMarble

A metamorphic rock formed by A metamorphic rock formed by alteration of limestone or dolomite, alteration of limestone or dolomite, often irregularly colored by often irregularly colored by impurities, and used especially in impurities, and used especially in architecture and sculpture. architecture and sculpture.

TungstenTungsten

Found in ores and mined primarily in Found in ores and mined primarily in China (57% 0f the world share), China (57% 0f the world share), Russia, Austria, and Portugal.Russia, Austria, and Portugal.

TungstenTungsten

Tungsten (W) is a metal with a wide range of uses, the Tungsten (W) is a metal with a wide range of uses, the largest of which is as tungsten carbide in cemented largest of which is as tungsten carbide in cemented carbides.   Cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) are carbides.   Cemented carbides (also called hardmetals) are wear-resistant materials used by the wear-resistant materials used by the metalworking, metalworking, mining, and construction industriesmining, and construction industries.  Tungsten metal .  Tungsten metal wires, electrodes, and/or contacts are used in wires, electrodes, and/or contacts are used in lighting, electronic, electrical, heating, and welding lighting, electronic, electrical, heating, and welding applicationsapplications.  Tungsten is also used to make heavy metal .  Tungsten is also used to make heavy metal alloys for alloys for armamentsarmaments, heat sinks, and high-density , heat sinks, and high-density applications, such as applications, such as weights and counterweightsweights and counterweights; ; super alloys for super alloys for turbine bladesturbine blades; tool steels; and wear-; tool steels; and wear-resistant alloy parts and coatings.  Tungsten composites resistant alloy parts and coatings.  Tungsten composites are used as a are used as a substitute for lead in bullets and shot.substitute for lead in bullets and shot.