3

2 The photograph shows a quarry where sedimentary rock is extracted.

(a) State the name of one sedimentary rock.

limestone / sandstone / shale; [1]

(b) State two environmental impacts of the quarry shown in the photograph.

loss of habitat;
vegetation dies / deforestation;
noise / water / air / visual pollution;;
[2]

(c) Suggest ways this quarry benefits the local community.

employment opportunities;

improvements in local / national economy;

improvements in facilities and infrastructure;

[2]

[Total: 5]

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 13

2 The geology of Senegal is mostly sedimentary rocks. These include large deposits of phosphate
rock.

(a) Describe the formation of sedimentary rock.

any three from:

weathered rock particles;

deposited;

in water / seas / river bed;

in layers;

compacted / under pressure, to form rock;

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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 14

(b) The drawing shows phosphate rock being mined in Senegal.

Phosphate rock is a valuable export.

rocks

water mining machinery

(i) Name the type of mining shown in the drawing.

open-pit / opencast / open-cut / strip / surface mining; [1]

(ii) Describe the environmental damage that can be caused by this type of mining.

any three from:

destruction of vegetation causes loss of animal habitats;
(causing) loss of biodiversity;
dust causes air pollution;
emissions from machinery / vehicles;
leaching of heavy metals into water causes, water pollution / changes to water table /
groundwater contamination;
mining causes visual pollution;
machinery causes noise pollution;
[3]

© UCLES 2020 0680/21/M/J/20

 11

2 The Dominican Republic has one of the world’s largest surface gold mines. The drawing shows
part of this surface mine.

In 2018, the government was asked to give a licence for the first subsurface (underground) gold
mine in the Dominican Republic.

The subsurface mine is expected to work for seven years. The cost of developing this mine is
expected to be paid back in three years.

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 12

(a) The world gold price between 2012 and 2019 is shown in the table.

year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

world gold price
50 53 38 38 34 36 40 40
/ 1000 USD per kg

(i) On the grid, plot a graph of world gold price against year.

[4]

(ii) Suggest why the mining company thinks that the cost of developing the subsurface mine
can be paid back in three years.

Use the data to support your answer.

any two from:

price unlikely to fall / price won’t go below 34 ($) / no fluctuation / price similar;
price increasing (in last 4 years);
price was high in, 2012 / 2013 AND could be this high again;
costs (of mine) are less than profit / eq.;
[2]
company thinks, there is lots of gold underground / more gold will be extracted;

© UCLES 2021 0680/21/M/J/21

 13

(b) (i) Suggest reasons why a subsurface mine is expected to cause less damage to the
environment than the surface mine shown in the drawing.

any three from

with a subsurface mine, less / fewer:
ground cleared / deforestation;
habitats destroyed;
impact on, biodiversity / food chains / animals being scared away;
dust / debris;
waste piles / overburden;
noise;
surface run off;
so less chance of water pollution;
visual pollution; [3]

(ii) Suggest two benefits of the proposed subsurface mine to local people.

any two from:

employment opportunities / increased income;
locals trained to be skilled workers / learn to use complex machines;
better infrastructure;
improved local economy / more money for local people;
[2]

(iii) A mining licence is only given if the mining company agrees to be responsible for the site
for several years after the mine has closed.

Suggest reasons why.

any two from:

to make sure the company pays for the restoration / so the government doesn’t pay for
restoration;
to minimise / deter, damage to, land / habitats / biodiversity;
to allow time for restoration / because damage continues after mining stops;
to encourage company to, keep site pollution-free / dispose safely of waste;
[2]

[Total: 13]

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 4

3 (a) Complete the table by putting each rock in the correct column.

basalt granite marble limestone shale slate

rock type

igneous metamorphic sedimentary

[3]

(b) Describe how a sedimentary rock such as sandstone is formed.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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 5

(c) The photograph shows a quarry where gravel is extracted.

vegetation

truck

gravel

Describe the impacts of this gravel extraction on the local environment.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 8]

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 4

3 (a) Complete the table by putting each rock in the correct column.

basalt granite marble limestone shale slate

igneous metamorphic sedimentary

[3]

(b) Describe how a sedimentary rock such as sandstone is formed.

sediments come from, existing / eroded / weathered, rock; transported by,

water / rivers / wind / ice;
deposited in layers / sedimentation; compaction (of sediments);
(crystals of different salts causes) cementation;

............................................................................................................................................. [3]

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 5

(c) The photograph shows a quarry where gravel is extracted.

vegetation

truck

gravel

Describe the impacts of this gravel extraction on the local environment.

loss of topsoil;
loss of vegetation / destruction of habitat;
impact on food chain;
air pollution from trucks / vehicles;
noise pollution;

[Total: 8]

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 2

1 (a) Name the types of rock formed by each of the following:

heat and/or pressure deep in the Earth’s crust metamorphic;

magma or lava cooling and solidifying igneous;

the deposition of rock fragments, usually beneath the sea. sedimentary;

[3]

(b) (i) Describe how a mineral, such as iron ore, is extracted from an open-pit (opencast) mine.

any three of:

vegetation and soils removed;
overburden removed;
waste rock / soil stored, out of the way;
ore loosened using explosives;
diggers / mechanical shovels;
load ore onto trucks;

[3]

(ii) Describe how the land can be restored after open-pit mining.

any three of:

pit infilled using waste rock;
use as landfill site;
soil replaced;
fertilisers added;
vegetation planted / agriculture;
allow to flood;
and use as, reservoir / leisure / nature reserve / aquaculture;
[3]

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 3

(c) The map shows recent iron ore exports, transport routes and imports for one year.

Sweden

North America Norway Russia 977

China
13 130 Europe Japan, Korea,
44 Taiwan
229
Middle East India
Southeast
8 Asia
Other
Africa 9

Brazil South
Africa Australia New
Zealand
Other South
America
Key
13 iron ore imports / million tonnes
iron ore exports (size of circle indicates the amount exported)
route of main iron ore exports

Using the map:

(i) name the country which exported the most iron ore.

Australia [1]

(ii) name the country which imported the most iron ore and state how much it imported.

name China

quantity imported 977 million tonnes

[2]

(iii) Suggest why Japan, Korea and Taiwan imported such large quantities of iron ore.

little / no, iron ore mined in those countries;

many industries that use, iron / steel;

[2]

© UCLES 2017 0680/22/M/J/17 [Turn over

 4

(d) The diagram shows a deep coal mine.

surface
towers

other rocks

coal seam
shafts train

coal cutter
not to scale

(i) Describe how the coal shown in the diagram was formed.

any three of:

formed over millions of years or in carboniferous (era);
from dead, organisms / trees / plants;
reference to lack of oxygen / anaerobic;
on sea beds / in swamps;
formed a thick layer of peat;
covered with, sediments / mud / sand;
pressure turns, vegetation / peat, to coal
3]

(ii) Using the diagram, describe how the coal is mined.

any three of:

shafts, bored / dug (to access coal seams);

coal cutter cuts coal;

coal transported to shaft by train;

coal raised to surface;

tunnel roof supported by pit props;

3]

© UCLES 2017 0680/22/M/J/17

 9

2 (a) Rocks and minerals have many uses for people. Here is a list of nine useful rocks and For
minerals. Examiner’s
Use

bauxite coal diamonds iron ore lead

limestone oil (petroleum) phosphates uranium

(i) From the list, choose the rock or mineral for each of the uses named below.

use rock / mineral

concrete and cement Limestone

plastics and synthetic fibres Oil or Petroleum

steel girders Iron(Ore)

nuclear power Uranium [2]

(ii) Choose any two of the other five rocks and minerals in the list, which were not used
in answering part (i). Give a use for each of them.

rock / mineral use

1 ........................................... .............................................................................

.............................................................................

2 ........................................... .............................................................................

.............................................................................
[2]

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 9

2 (a) Rocks and minerals have many uses for people. Here is a list of nine useful rocks and For
minerals. Examiner’s
Use

bauxite coal diamonds iron ore lead

limestone oil (petroleum) phosphates uranium

(i) From the list, choose the rock or mineral for each of the uses named below.

use rock / mineral

concrete and cement Limestone

plastics and synthetic fibres oil (petroleum)

iron
steel girders ore

nuclear power uranium [2]

(ii) Choose any two of the other five rocks and minerals in the list, which were not used
in answering part (i). Give a use for each of them.

rock / mineral use

1 bauxite aluminium

2 diamonds Jewelery , industrial cutting

3. Phosphate Fertilizers,
[2]
4.Coal electricity , Heating

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 10

(b) Look at the diagram which shows rock formations in a mining area. For
Examiner’s
Use

mining
town

mine
mines

surface 0 A

100
depth (metres)

200 B

300

400 C

500

key: mineral bearing layer of rock

(i) Name the type of mining used to take minerals out of rock layer A.

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) Describe the methods of mining used to take minerals out of rock layer B.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [3]

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 10

(b) Look at the diagram which shows rock formations in a mining area. For
Examiner’s
Use

mining
town

mine
mines

surface 0 A

100
depth (metres)

200 B

300

400 C

500

key: mineral bearing layer of rock

(i) Name the type of mining used to take minerals out of rock layer A.

Opencast mining or open pit mining

(ii) Describe the methods of mining used to take minerals out of rock layer B.

• Vertical shaft cut from the surface down to rock layer B,

• horizontal tunnels made as cutters work along to remove mineral,
• mineral (and waste) lifted up to the surface through the shaft,
• further detail of mining processes such as mechanical cutters in modern mines.

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 11

(iii) Explain why four mines are being used to take the minerals out of rock layer A, For
compared with only one for rock layer B. Examiner’s
Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [3]

(iv) All mining causes environmental problems. Would you expect the environmental
problems to be greater from mining rock layer A or B? Explain your answer.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(v) When mining finishes at A and B, the mining company will need to look at rock
layers C and D. Describe how the problems for mining layers C and D are likely to
be greater than they were for A and B.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [3]

(vi) Which rock layer would you expect them to mine first, C or D? Explain your
answer.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

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 11

(iii) Explain why four mines are being used to take the minerals out of rock layer A, For
compared with only one for rock layer B. Examiner’s
For Rock Layer A : Use

• Easier and cheaper to build mines on the surface

• scraping off surface vegetation and soil and then using giant cranes and
diggers
• target directly places where the mineral is most available

For Rock Layer B:

• more difficult to build and operate an underground mine
• layer B is quite deep at 200 meters which makes it more difficult to build
more than one mine

(iv) All mining causes environmental problems. Would you expect the environmental
problems to be greater from mining rock layer A or B? Explain your answer.

The answer A can be justified by extent of the damage on the surface from four mines
instead of just one underground mine; also choice can be explained with reference to the
techniques used, the scale of the operations and to the direct destruction of surface
vegetation and wildlife habitats. Whereas waste heaps from mine B will be piled up in
one place and the rest of area might be untouched.

An answer B is harder to support; deep mining in general is more dangerous for humans
but less damaging for the surface environment. Much of the dust and dirt remains
underground. A deep mine like this one is less likely to have other effects on surface
such as underground water polluting surface water courses, subsidence etc.

(v) When mining finishes at A and B, the mining company will need to look at rock
layers C and D. Describe how the problems for mining layers C and D are likely to
be greater than they were for A and B.
Greater problems for mining rock layer C:
• deeper (more than 400m below surface compared with 200m)
• mineral bearing rock layer is folded / upfolded instead of being horizontal
plus detail about the extra mining problems / expense these will cause
Greater problems for mining rock layer D:
• more to do with its location than the slight folding
• higher up on a steep part of the hill side with access problems this might cause

(vi) Which rock layer would you expect them to mine first, C or D? Explain your
answer.

Greater mining problems at C perhaps partly offset by the greater thickness and
length
of the mineral bearing layer; likely to be able to mine much more of the mineral from C
than from D.
Greater mining problems at D perhaps partly offset by being able to tunnel into the
mineral layer, and work from the surface instead of deep underground; this is easier,
safer and cheaper than deep mining.

There is not an obviously better answer here. All the marks are for explanation.
2 mark answers are ones in which explanation for one rock layer is followed by the
equivalent inferior / weaker position of the other.
1 mark for a narrow answer which explains for only the chosen mineral layer.

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 12

(c) Cerro de Pasco is a mining town in the Andes of Peru. At a height of 4,380 metres For
above sea level, mining is the only reason for the existence of the town. Silver, lead and Examiner’s
zinc have been mined here for over 400 years from a large open pit mine in the centre Use

of town. The town clings to the edges of the 380 metre deep pit, as the map below
shows. The mine produces 60,000 tonnes of lead and 150,000 tonnes of zinc a year
and reserves are plentiful. The streets of poor houses, with their corrugated iron roofs
black with mining dust, suddenly stop at the edge of the pit. Houses near the edge of the
pit show many cracks.

Cerro de Pasco

built up area
with 65.000 inhabitants

edge of city
OPEN –
PIT
old city
MINE

lake

scale: 0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2 2.5 3

km

key: waste heaps

(i) Look at the map and its scale. Describe how it shows the large size of the mine.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 13

(ii) Describe the location of the mine. For

Examiner’s
.................................................................................................................................. Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

(iii) Suggest a reason for the large number of cracks reported in the houses near the
edge of the pit.

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(iv) Where does the waste from the mine go?

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(v) A health report in 2007 showed that over 90% of children and 80% of women of
child-bearing age had high blood levels of toxic substances like lead. Diseases of
lungs and heart were found to be common in older residents.
Explain how the mining here can cause great health problems like these for the
inhabitants of Cerro de Pasco.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [4]

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 14

(d) The mining company wants to increase the size of the open pit to mine in the area under For
the old city. This will involve the destruction of the main church, historical buildings and Examiner’s
many houses. Use

There are two plans.

Plan 1 The big move Plan 2 Local resettlement by the

mining company

• Build a new town for 70,000 • Build a new church, public

people 35 km away, along buildings and houses not far
the main road from the mine
• Cost estimates range from • Cost estimates are US$5-10
US$500 million to US$3500 million
billion; who will pay? • Expected time for doing this
• Expected time for doing this 2–3 years
10–15 years

Views of residents

B
A The mining company
Growth of the mine should is only interested in short-
be stopped until there is a fair term profits, not sustainable
plan for everyone to live in a development.
healthy place.

C
The mine gives people
work, but the price in terms of bad
health and poor living conditions
is high.

(i) What are the advantages of Plan 1 compared with Plan 2?

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 15

(ii) How likely is it that Plan 1 will ever be put into effect? Explain your view. For
Examiner’s
.................................................................................................................................. Use

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [5]

(e) Some countries depend upon mineral exports for most of their income. One example is
Zambia, a poor landlocked country in Africa.

Zambia – the country Zambia – minerals World copper price

population: 11 million Africa’s largest copper – the London Metal Exchange

income per head: US$750 producer
birth rate: 42 per 1000 exports: copper 85% of total 10000
9000
platinum 10% of total 8000
1 in 10 paid jobs in mining 7000
US $ 6000
per 5000
tonne 4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Oct Oct
2006 2008

(i) How big was the difference in the copper price between October 2006 and 2008?

.............................................................................................................................. [1]

(ii) A market stall holder in Chingola, the main town in Zambia’s copper belt, said
‘Everyone in town gets worried when copper prices fall in London’.

Describe the likely effects of the big drop in copper price between 2006 and 2008
on local people living in Zambia’s copper belt.

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [4]

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11 [Turn over

 16

(iii) The main cause of the drop in world copper price was the recession in developed For
world countries. Why would a producer of copper (used in electrical wiring) and Examiner’s
platinum (used in catalytic converters), located more than 12,000 km away like Use

Zambia, be so badly affected?

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................. [2]

[Total: 40 marks]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2011 0680/22/M/J/11

 11

6 In 2015, a new tungsten mine was opened in the United Kingdom. Tungsten is a metal used in
many industries.

Before the mine opened, the United Kingdom imported the majority of its tungsten from overseas.
The new mine will be the fourth-biggest tungsten mine in the world. The tungsten is found very
close to the surface.

There is an increased world demand for tungsten.

The new mine created approximately 200 jobs in the local area.

The photograph shows this type of mining.

(a) (i) State the type of mining shown in the photograph.

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Explain why this type of mining is suitable for the new tungsten mine.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(b) Describe three impacts of this mine on the local area.

1 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

3 ................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................
[3]

© UCLES 2019 0680/12/F/M/19 [Turn over

 11

6 In 2015, a new tungsten mine was opened in the United Kingdom. Tungsten is a metal used in
many industries.

Before the mine opened, the United Kingdom imported the majority of its tungsten from overseas.
The new mine will be the fourth-biggest tungsten mine in the world. The tungsten is found very
close to the surface.

There is an increased world demand for tungsten.

The new mine created approximately 200 jobs in the local area.

The photograph shows this type of mining.

(a) (i) State the type of mining shown in the photograph.

open-pit / opencast / open-cut / strip (mining) / surface (mining); [1]

(ii) Explain why this type of mining is suitable for the new tungsten mine.

(tungsten is) close to or on the surface

(b) Describe three impacts of this mine on the local area.

1 .loss of habitat

2 loss of biodiversity;

3 loss o f farmland;
loss of homes;
noise / water / land / air / visual / dust, pollution;
management of waste / run-off / leaching (into water);
increase in t raffic;
reduction in tourism;
[3]
employment opportunities;
improvements in local economy;
improvement in facilities and infrastructure;
 12

(c) Recycling is one strategy for the sustainable use of rocks and minerals.

Describe another way rocks and minerals can be used sustainably.

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

(d) A student read an article in a scientific journal about e-waste.

E-waste
E-waste consists of electrical and electronic equipment and their components, which have
been thrown away rather than being reused.

E-waste is difficult to manage because it is made-up of many different components, many

of which are toxic. Typical toxins include heavy metals such as mercury, chromium and
lead, acidic gases from burning plastics and CFCs from refrigeration units. These toxins
can have negative environmental and health effects. Some e-waste contains useful metals
such as tungsten, gold, silver, iron, aluminium and copper.

Some countries have take-back systems where consumers can safely recycle their e-waste
and even have their e-waste collected from their homes. However, most e-waste is
incinerated, buried as land-fill or dumped illegally.

(i) Describe what is meant by e-waste.

...........................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Suggest and explain two negative effects of e-waste.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[2]

© UCLES 2019 0680/12/F/M/19

 12

(c) Recycling is one strategy for the sustainable use of rocks and minerals.

Describe another way rocks and minerals can be used sustainably.

increased efficiency of extraction;

increased efficiency of use;

(d) A student read an article in a scientific journal about e-waste.

E-waste
E-waste consists of electrical and electronic equipment and their components, which have
been thrown away rather than being reused.

E-waste is difficult to manage because it is made-up of many different components, many

of which are toxic. Typical toxins include heavy metals such as mercury, chromium and
lead, acidic gases from burning plastics and CFCs from refrigeration units. These toxins
can have negative environmental and health effects. Some e-waste contains useful metals
such as tungsten, gold, silver, iron, aluminium and copper.

Some countries have take-back systems where consumers can safely recycle their e-waste
and even have their e-waste collected from their homes. However, most e-waste is
incinerated, buried as land-fill or dumped illegally.

(i) Describe what is meant by e-waste.

electrical or electronic, equipment / components

(ii) Suggest and explain two negative effects of e-waste.

1 CFCs AND ozone depletion / UV (radiation);

burning (plastics) or acidic / toxic / harmful, gases AND acid rain / respiratory
problems / erosion of buildings;

2 (heavy) metals / mercury / lead / chromium AND toxic (to humans / aquatic life) / 

bioaccumulation;
(e-waste or metals in e-waste) are thrown away / are not recycled AND need more extraction of
minerals or metals / need more mining / depletion of resources;

[2]

© UCLES 2019 0680/12/F/M/19

 13

(iii) Suggest how countries can reduce the negative impact of e-waste.

take-back systems / recycle e-waste; reuse or repair;

e-waste collected from homes; (introduce) legislation / fines;

(e) The article also contained some data about e-waste.

The total global e-waste generated in 2014 was 41.9 million tonnes (Mt) and 50.0 Mt in
2018. In 2014, e-waste contained 1.00 Mt of lamps; 6.30 Mt of screens; 12.8 Mt of small
electronic equipment; 3.00 Mt of small information technology items; 11.8 Mt of large
electronic equipment and 7.00 Mt of refrigeration equipment.

(i) Calculate the percentage increase in e-waste from 2014 to 2018.

...................................................... % [2]

(ii) The student wants to summarise the data in the article to show the types of equipment
e-waste contained in 2014.

Record the data in a suitable table.

[3]