A.

Metallic Ores

The Miner’s handbook

Type of Metals
Mining for metals is a major part of the mining industry. There are four types of
metals. Ferrous metals are one type. These metals contain iron. For example,
stainless steel is a ferrous metal. Base metals are a second type of metal. Lead
and copper are base metals. Unlike base metals, precious metals are not very
common. Precious metals are typically very valuable. Silver, gold and platinum
are precious metals. The final type of metal is radioactive metals. Radioactive
metals can be dangerous. For this reason, miners should handle radioactive metals
like uranium carefully.

Reading
1. Read the textbook excerpt. Then, choose the correct answers.

1. What is true about stainless steel?

A. It contains iron.
B. It is a type of iron.
C. It is often radioactive.
D. It is very valuable.

2. Which of the following is NOT a precious metal?

A. Silver C. Gold
B. Uranium D. Platinum

3. Which is the most common type of metal?

A. Ferrous metals C. Precious metals
B. Base metals D. Radioactive metals
Vocabulary
1. Match the words or phrases (1-8) with the definitions (A-H).

1. ….. ferrous metal 5. ….. gold

2. ….. base metal 6. ….. copper
3. ….. radioactive metal 7. ….. lead
4. ….. silver 8. ….. uranium

A a precious metal that is often yellow

B a base metal that is red
C a type of radioactive metal
D the most common type of metal
E a toxic base metal that is white
F a type of metal that contains iron
G a type of metal that is radioactive
H a precious metal that is white

2. Read the sentence pairs. Choose which word or phrase best fits each blank.

1. Platinum / Iron
A ………………. is a very valuable precious metal.
B Ferrous metals contain …………………
2. Stainless / Uranium
A People make tools with …………………
B ………………... is very dangerous.
B. Golden Mining Company

New Employee Handbook:

Required Gear
Welcome to Golden Mining Company. We care about our employees’ safety. For
that reason, we require employees to wear protective gear on site. All miners need
coveralls or rain suits, gloves and goggles. Employees also need to wear boots.
Boots should have steel toe tips. Next, worker must wear face shields and dust
masks. To protect hearing, employees are required to wear earplugs. Underground
workers are required to wear hard hats with cap lamps. Many miners also choose
to use belt packs and pick holsters.
The company provides most of the gear. However, you are responsible for buying
your own boots. Please see Mark Terrell in the administration building for gear
assignment. You will not be allowed to start work until you have all of the gear
listed above.

Reading
Read the handbook excerpt. Then, choose the correct answers.

1. What is true about the required gear?

A It is sold by the Golden Mining Company.
B It is available at a discount to miners.
C It is meant to protect miners.
D It is not necessary for underground workers.

2. What can be inferred about belt packs?

A They protect miners from accidents.
B They come with pick holsters.
C They are not required gear.
D They are inexpensive.

3. Which of the following gear is NOT provided by the company?

A coveralls C hard hats
B boots D ear plugs
Vocabulary
1. Read the sentence pairs. Choose which word or phrase best fit each blank.

1. Face shield / Pick holster

A Jack lowered his _____________________ To protect his eyes.
B Gina keeps her rock pick in her _____________________ .

2. Dust mask / Cap Lamp

A Reyna turned on her __________________ order to see better in the dark.
B Orlando didn’t inhale any dust because he was wearing his
______________.

3. Earplugs / Goggles
A Israel can’t hear anything when he’s wearing his ________________.
B The ______________ protected Mary’s eyes.

4. Coveralls / Gloves
A Sam’s fingers don’t fit in the ______________.
B Lisa Wears _______________ over her clothes.

2. Write a word or phrase that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

1. The waterproof garment kept Trevor dry.
_a_n s u_ _
2. Kelly put on her socks and protective footwear.
_o_t_
3. Walter was not allowed to enter the mine without his protective head
covering.
_ar_ h__
4. Alison keeps small personal items in her bundle worn around the waist.
_e_t __c_
C. Volume/Weights

Power Shovel for Sale

Private company is selling a used power shovel. This is a great machine that will
last for another decade. The operating weight is 7,033 tons (6,400 metric tons). Its
bucket capacity is 2835 cubic feet (about 80 cubic meters). It removes up to 300
cubic feet per ton (0.009 m3/kg) per day*. This is the same as 11.1 yd3/ton
(9.4m3/tonne). It also removes 10 bank cubic meters of each ton of coal. Call 555-
343-1311 for the price, or for more information about the machine.
*Depends on the type of material

Reading
Read the advertisement. Then, mark the following statements as true (T) or
false (F).
1. __ The power shovel does not function.
2. __ The power shovel weighs over 7,000 metric tons.
3. __ The most material the power shovel can move is 300 cubic feet per ton.

Vocabulary
1. Place the words or phrases from the word bank under the correct headings.

Word Bank

bank cubic meter ton

cubic feet per ton cubic feet yd3/ton
m3/ton cubic meter
Units of Unit of Weight Volume to
Volume Wight Ration
2. Write a word or phrase that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.
1. The elevator’s maximum allowable amount is 800 pounds.
_a_ac__y
2. The company bought a new machine for removing earth and rock.
_ow__ sh___l
3. Sam called to ask about the machine’s weight while it is in use.
_pe_at_n_ w__gh_