Mineral Resources Activities

Mineral Resources Activities

© 2002 American Geological Institute http://www.agiweb.org

Contents: All Activities and Investigations
Activity 1 
Activity 2 
Activity 3 
Activity 4 
Activity 5 
Activity 6 

Students are challenged to prepare a report to that explains what mineral resources are, how they are used and extracted, and what impact their use has on the environment, all relative to a beverage container students are to design. 

Students will:

• Understand how mineral resources are tied to other Earth systems. 
• Participate in scientific inquiry and construct logical conclusions based on evidence. 
• Recognize that minerals are an indispensable natural resource whose use and impact on the environment needs to be carefully monitored. 
• Appreciate the value of Earth science information in improving the quality of lives, globally and within the community. 

Activity 1  --  Materials Used for Beverage Containers in Your Community

To learn more about this topic, visit the following web sites:
1. Materials Used for Beverage Containers
• "Aluminum - Statistics and Information" - USGS Minerals Information 

Briefly reviews the many uses of aluminum (in addition to the manufacturing of beverage containers).  Contains links to further information.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/aluminum/)
• "Iron and Steel Statistics and Information" USGS Minerals Information 

Briefly reviews the many uses of steel (in addition to the manufacturing of beverage containers).  Contains links to further information.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/iron_&_steel/)
• "Frequently Asked Questions" - Glass Packaging Institute 

List answers questions about topics relating to glass manufacturing in the U.S., such as how large the industry is, what materials are typically used, and recycling processes.
(http://www.gpi.org/FAQ.html)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about beverage containers through time, visit the following web site:
• "Soda Bottle History" - Notalgiaville 

Reviews the evolution of the soda bottle.
(http://www.gono.com/vir-mus/painted.htm)

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Activity 2  -- What Are Minerals?

To learn more about this topic:

1.  Types of Minerals 
• "Minerals by Name" - The Mineral Gallery 

Site includes full color images of different minerals along with a description of the physical properties, history of discovery, and more about each mineral. 
(http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/by-name.htm)
• "Alphabetical Mineral Reference" - University of Wisconsin 

Click on the first letter of the mineral you are interested in.  This will pull up information about the mineral, including the chemical formula for the mineral, common colors, luster, hardness, specific gravity, cleavage, and other properties.
(http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~jill/glossary2.html)
• "Minerals by Physical and Optical Properties" - Mineral Database 

Minerals are listed according to hardness, streak, luster, density, and cleavage and fracture.  Click  on the property to view mineral list.  You can then click on individual minerals to view more information and images.
(http://webmineral.com/determin.shtml)
 
2. The Chemistry and Structure of Minerals
• "Minerals" - Volcano World 

This site gives a brief overview of minerals.  Includes illustrations to show some of the basic atomic arrangements of different minerals.  Also explains how atomic arrangement influences the properties of a mineral.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/minerals.html)
• "Minerals by Chemical Composition" - Mineral Database 

Site displays a periodic table.  Click on the element of interest to open a page that lists all of the minerals that contain that element, sorted by element percent.
(http://webmineral.com/chemical.shtml)
• "Mineral Structure Data" - University of Colorado 

This site lists the different crystal structures of minerals.  Click on link to open a new page that uses a drawing to show the structure.
(http://ruby.colorado.edu/~smyth/min/minerals.html)
• "The Structure of Solids" - Purdue University 

This site reviews the atomic structures of different solids (besides ice). 
(http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch13/categoryframe.html)

3. Identifying Minerals 


• "Alphabetical Mineral Reference" - University of Wisconsin 

Click on the first letter of the mineral you are interested in.  This will pull up information about the mineral, including the chemical formula for the mineral, common colors, luster, hardness, specific gravity, cleavage, and other properties.
(http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~jill/glossary2.html)
• "The Physical Characteristics of Minerals" - The Mineral Gallery 

Site lists the physical properties scientists commonly use to identify minerals.  Click on property to view examples that illustrate that property.
(http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/property/physical.htm)


To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:


To learn more about metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources, visit the following web sites:


• "Minerals by Chemical Composition" - Mineral Database 

Site displays a periodic table.  Click on the element of interest to open a page that lists all of the minerals that contain that element, sorted by element percent.
(http://webmineral.com/chemical.shtml)
• 
  

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Activity 3  --  Where Are Mineral Resources Found?
 

To learn more about this topic:

1.  Mineral Resources on Earth 
• "Volcanic Mineral Deposits" - Volcano World 

This site contains information and images pertaining to volcanic mineral deposits, including bauxite (aluminum), diamonds, gold, nickel, and more.  Also includes suggestions for obtaining more information.
(http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/minerals/index.html)
• "The Plus Side of Volcanoes - Mineral Resources" - USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory 

Site briefly reviews the formation of metallic mineral deposits during volcanic activity.
(http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/PlusSide/mineral_resources.html)
• "Mineral Deposits" - James Cook University, Earth Sciences 

Online lecture notes defines the different types of ore deposits, explains how they are classified, how they form, and what they are typically used for.
(http://homes.jcu.edu.au/~glpww/EA1002/Mineral_Deposits/hydrothermal.html)
• "Potential for New Nickel-Copper Sulfide Deposits in the Lake Superior Region" - USGS 

Reviews how Ni-Cu deposits are formed, why they are important, and how scientists are evaluating the potential usefulness of the deposits in the Lake Superior Region.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/east/pubs/mwni_cu/)
• "The 1996 Estimate of Undiscovered Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, and Zinc Remaining in the United States" - USGS 

(http://pubs.usgs.gov/info-handout/assessment/)
• "Mining Facts" - National Mining Association 

Interesting facts about minerals and mining in the United States.
(http://www.nma.org/statistics/pub_fast_facts_2.asp)
• "USGS Minerals Information - Commodity and Statistic Information" - USGS 

Click on the mineral commodity of interest to learn more about its use and recovery.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/)
 
To complete the investigation, each student group will need:
• Copy of your state mineral resource map: 
• USGS State Minerals Statistics and Information 
• Association of American State Geologists 

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about the worldwide distribution of mineral resources, visit the following web sites:
• "It's Time to Know the Planet's Mineral Resources" - J. A. Briskey, et al., 2001, Geotimes 

Online article reviews world mineral resources.  Includes color maps.
(http://www.geotimes.org/mar01/feature1.html)

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Activity 4  --  How Are Minerals Found?

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Mapping
• "Reading Geologic Maps" - About.com 

Site provides an overview on reading and interpreting geologic maps.
(http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm)
• "Geologic Maps" - National Park Service 

This site introduces geologic maps, covering topics such as what the different colors, symbols, and lines on geologic maps represent, and defining strike and dip.
(http://www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/usgsnps/gmap/gmap1.html)
• "What is a Geologic Map?" - USGS 

General overview of what geologic maps are and why they are important to geologists.  Also gives a brief introduction to the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program.
(http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/aboutmaps.html)
• "Why geologic maps are made and how the are used" - USGS 

Site briefly reviews why geologists make and use geologic maps in the assessment of natural resources and natural hazards.
(http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/wgmt/whymaps.html)
• "Geologic Mapping in Kansas" - Kansas Geologic Survey 

Online circular explains what geologic maps are, how they are made, what they are used for, and why they are valuable to geoscientists.
(http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/Publications/pic4/pic4_1.html)
• "Remote Sensing in the USGS Mineral Resource Surveys Program in the Eastern United States" - USGS 

Site uses a case study to illustrate how the modern techniques of remote sensing (aerial images) are helping geologists to locate potential mineral deposits.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/info-handout/rowan/)

2.  Geochemistry


• "Chapter 6: Geochemical Exploration" - Chamber of Minerals and Energy 

Site briefly introduces various geochemical exploration techniques, including geochemical stream sediment surveys, geochemical analyses of rock and soil samples, and other geochemical exploration methods.  Explains how techniques are carried out and in what situations different techniques are appropriate.  Also reviews geophysical techniques and the role of drilling in exploration.
(http://www.mineralswa.asn.au/~cmeminex/page2.html)
• "Carolina Slate Belt Gold Deposits in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia" - USGS 

Online handout presents the steps that geoscientists follow to assess mineral deposits through a real example.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/info-handout/ayuso1/)
• "Stable Isotopes and Mineral Resource Investigations in the United States" - USGS 

Site explains how analyses of the elements oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and carbon can be used to help in locating copper, lead, and zinc, gold, and silver deposits.  Presents case studies in the eastern U.S.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/info-handout/seal2/)
 

3.  Geophysics 


• "3-D Model Based on Geophysics of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD), near Parkfield, CA" - USGS 

This site presents an actual study of data used to assess whether or not a site would make a good drillsite.  Shows how scientists started with a geologic map and then used geophysical techniques to produce several maps.  These maps were then used to produce a 3-D model of the subsurface.  Includes color images.
(http://wrgis.wr.usgs.gov/docs/gump/meghan/parkfield/parkfield.html)
• "Chapter 7: Geophysical Exploration" - Chamber of Minerals and Energy 

Site briefly introduces various geochemical exploration techniques, including gravimetric and magnetic methods, electrical and seismic methods, radiometric surveys, and down hole methods.  Explains how techniques are carried out and in what situations different techniques are appropriate. 
(http://www.mineralswa.asn.au/~cmeminex/page2.html)
• "What is Geophysics" - Society of Exploration Geophysics 

Site briefly defines geophysics.
(http://www.seg.org/you-geo/definition.html)
• "Western Region Mineral Resources" - USGS  

Visit this site to gain access to bedrock and surficial surveys, geophysical research, and mineral resource studies that are ongoing in western U.S.  Includes color samples of maps. 
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/west/)
 
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:
To learn more about mineral supply and demand, visit the following web sites:
• "Monitoring Cyclical Changes in U.S. Metals Activity" - USGS Fact Sheet 71-98 

Fact sheet explains how fluctuations in the economy can affect the metals activity of the U.S.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/factsheet/fs71-98/)
• "Mineral Commodity Surveys" - USGS 

Click on the year and mineral commodity of interest to learn about the worldwide supply and demand of that resource.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/mcs/)
• "Metal Industry Indicators" - USGS 

Online monthly newsletter that analyzes and forecasts the economic health of five metal industries: primary metals, steel, copper, primary aluminum, and aluminum mill products.
(http://minerals.usgs.gov:80/minerals/pubs/mii/)

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Activity 5  --  What Are the Costs and Benefits of Mining Minerals?

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Removing Mineral Resources from the Ground
• "From the Ground Up: Mining/Mineral Resource Development" - Arizona Mining Association 

(http://www.azcu.org/fromgroundup/04mrdevelopment/)

To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:


To learn more about mineral resources and state revenue, visit the following web sites:


• "Monitoring Cyclical Changes in U.S. Metals Activity" - USGS Fact Sheet 71-98 

Fact sheet explains how fluctuations in the economy can affect the metals activity of the U.S.
(http://pubs.usgs.gov/factsheet/fs71-98/)


To learn more about the environmental impacts of mining, visit the following web sites:


• "The USGS Abandoned Mine Lands Initiative: Protecting and Restoring the Environment Near Abandoned Mine Lands" - USGS Fact Sheet 095-99 

(http://www.usgs.gov/themes/factsheet/095-99/index.html)
• "Studies of Suction Dredge Gold-Placer Mining Operations Along the Fortymile River, Eastern Alaska 100" - USGS Fact Sheet 154-97 

(http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/fact-sheets/fs-0154-97/fs-0154-97.pdf)

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Activity 6  --  How Are Minerals Turned into Usable Materials?

To learn more about this topic:
 
1.  Mineral Processing
• "Materials Flow and Sustainability" - USGS Fact Sheet 0068-98 

Fact sheet uses illustrations to review the steps minerals go through to be made into useable products and also how some materials can be recycled and returned to the environment.
(http://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/fact-sheets/fs-0068-98/fs-0068-98.pdf)
To complete the Inquiring Further section of this activity:

To learn more about minerals used to make common materials, visit the following web sites:


• "Mining Facts" - National Mining Association 

Interesting facts about minerals and mining in the United States.
(http://www.nma.org/fastfacts.html)
• "What Mining Means to Americans" - National Mining Association 

Site contains a series of "chapters" that stress how heavily we depend upon mineral resources in our everyday lives.
(http://www.nma.org/whatminingmeans.html)
• "40 Common Minerals and Their Uses" - National Mining Association 

(http://www.nma.org/40minerals.html)

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Resources:

Web Sites:

• An Educational Guide to Gold for Kids  - courtesy of  Alternative Investment Headquarters

        http://altinvesthq.com/gold-guide-for-kids/

• United States Geological Survey (USGS) home page  

http://www.usgs.gov
• USGS Mineral Resources Program home page 

http://minerals.usgs.gov/
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) home page 

http://www.epa.gov/
• American Geophysical Union (AGU) Science for Everyone page 

http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/everyone.html
• Mineralogical Society of America home page  

http://www.minsocam.org/
• The Friends of Mineralogy home page 

http://www.indiana.edu/~minerals/fm.html
• Society of Exploration Geophysics home page 

http://www.seg.org/
• National Mining Association home page 

http://www.nma.org/

Maps:

• Geologic maps: State and local: 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database contains information on how and where to obtain geologic maps. (http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/) 
• Your state Geological Survey - find your state survey on-line at Association of American State Geologists (http://www.kgs.ukans.edu/AASG/AASG.html). 
• Download state geologic maps at About.com's site.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/cs/geomapsusstates/) 
• Reading Geologic Maps - informative review on how to read and interpret geologic maps.  (http://geology.about.com/science/geology/library/weekly/aa100800a.htm) 

 
• Geologic maps: Regional (two or more states): 
• The on-line bookstore of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (http://bookstore.AAPG.org; 918-584-2555) 
• Topographic maps: Local 
• The United States Geological Survey MapFinder allows you to order 7.5 minute maps online for $4 per map plus $5 s/h per order. (http://edc.usgs.gov/Webglis/glisbin/finder_main.pl?dataset_name=MAPS_LARGE) 
• The United States Geological Survey maintains a list of Map Dealers.  Click on your state to obtain a list of retailers who sell maps. (http://mapping.usgs.gov/esic/map_dealers/) 
• The United States Geological Survey National Geologic Map Database site on How to find topographic maps (http://ngmsvr.wr.usgs.gov/Other_Resources/rdb_topo.html) 
• TopoZone site allows you to download topographic maps (including USGS maps) for free, at various scales (from 1:100,000 to 1:24,000).  (http://www.topozone.com/) 
• MapServer offers free online viewing of topo, nautical and aeronautical charts plus high altitude digital ortho quads (nav photos). (www.maptech.com and www.mapserver.maptech.com) 
• General Map Resources: 
• An excellent list of map resources available online can be found on the Central Michigan University Resources for Earth Science and Geography Instruction web site.  Included are links to sites to make maps, as well as links to free downloadable outline maps, satellite imagery, GPS, and GIS databases. (http://personal.cmich.edu/~franc1m/locamap.htm) 
• "Maps" - USGS Earth Science Information Center, includes general map information, from how to read maps to how to obtain them.  Also includes links to further information regarding topographic, thematic, planetary maps, and more. (http://ask.usgs.gov/maps.html) 
• National Geographic (maps and videos): 1-800-962-1643 (http://www.nationalgeographic.com/maps/index.html) 
• "Maps of the United States" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of depictions of the United States, along with information on how to obtain additional US maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-us/index.html) 
• "Maps of the World" - USGS fact sheet, contains a series of world maps, including outline maps, seismicity maps, and political maps.  Also contains information for ordering more specific world maps. (http://www.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/maps-world/maps-world.html) 
• "National Atlas Maps" - USGS site of a variety of US maps that are available online, including shaded relief maps, aquifer maps, and further information on how to order maps not available online.  (http://www-atlas.usgs.gov/atlasmap.html?) 

Videos:
 

Books:

• National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Chesterman, C.W., 1979, Random House, 850 pg. 
• A Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals (Peterson Field Guides), Pough, F.H., 1998, Houghton Mifflin Co. 
• Simon and Schuster's Guide to Rocks and Minerals, Prinz, M. 
• The National Gem Collection, Post, J. E., 1997, Smithsonian Institution, New York: Harry N. Abrams. 
• Rocks and Minerals, Pellent, C., H. Taylor, and H. Pelland, 1988, Eyewitness Handbooks. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 
• Rocks and Minerals, Symes, R. F., 1988, Eyewitness Books. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc. 

Magazines:

• Geotimes.  Published by the American Geological Institute, this magazine reviews current issues in the Earth Sciences and can serve as a valuable supplemental resource for teachers and students alike.  Visit the web site for online articles and information about obtaining a one-year subscription (40% discount for AGI Member Society members; 65% discount for students). 

(http://www.geotimes.org/current/)
• Excellent sources of high-school level articles are in both National Geographic (which often has maps), and Science News 

(describing the most recent and interesting events in scientific research.) 

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