Mine 1100 - Introduction to the Minerals Industry

Module 2 Assignment – Mining is a quest for minerals

Mining is really just a quest to acquire valuable minerals. The first part of the quest involves
discovering where those minerals lie in the Earth, and the second part of the quest is
determining a way to extract them from the surrounding rocks. In this assignment, you will
choose one valuable mineral and research the answers to several questions that relate to that
specific mineral.

Instructions
Choose a valuable mineral (examples are listed below) and then use the information contained
in module 1 and 2, the Interactive Timeline, and your own library or web research to answer the
questions at the bottom of this page.

Some information will be found in a rock and mineral guidebook, but you may find it faster to
research your chosen mineral on the internet. An excellent web research site is the online
encyclopedia wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org). However, remember that the information on
Wikipedia (and other websites) can change. It is always a good idea to check a second source for
information. All answers must be in your own words.

Please include the question at the top of each of your responses. Upload your saved file to the
D2L dropbox when you have completed the assignment.

Step 1: Choose one economic mineral (some examples are listed below)

o Molybdenite
o Chalcopyrite
o Bornite
o Sphalerite
o Galena
o Hematite
o Magnetite
o Pitchblende
o Sylvite
o Cassiterite
o Pentlandite
o Native Gold
o Graphite

1
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 Step 2: Answer the following questions

1. What is the name of the mineral and what is its chemical formula?

2. What products are made from this mineral, or metal? (List at least 3 products)

3. List one mine in the world where this mineral is located. Provide both the name of the
mine and the country/state/province where it is located.

4. Briefly describe one important fact about the mining, exploration, or sale of this mineral.
For example: “the mineral scheelite is an important tungsten mineral that glows under
UV light. Exploration companies may use UV lights at night to examine rock outcrops.”

1. The material name for Sylvite is potassium chloride and the chemical formula is KCI.
2. Products from Sylvite and potassium chloride:
 Sports/electrolyte drinks
 Snack food, such as chips, candy bars, and soups
 Beauty products for example hair care products, and skin care products.
 Cereals
 Fertilizers
3. The highest volume where the mineral is found is in Canada, Saskatchewan.
4. Sylvite of the last minerals to precipitate because of its solubility in water; therefore,
Sylvite is commercial sold in many forms. Sylvite is the main source of potash, which is
an important ingredient in fertilizers. It has other important industrial uses, including
aluminium recycling, metal electroplating, and in oil drilling fluids. The world’s largest
source of Sylvite is in Saskatchewan, Canada and cover about 25% of the world's need.
Sylvite is the main ingredient of potassium supplements, which are used to treat or
prevent low potassium.

2
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