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Geo Standard Smol
Geo Standard Smol
Method Definition/Methodology
Open Pit A mining technique that involves the excavation of an open pit or
Mining surface mine to extract valuable minerals or ores. This method is
typically used for shallow deposits and involves the use of heavy
equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, and haul trucks.
Underground A mining technique that involves the excavation of tunnels or
Mining shafts to extract minerals or ores that are located deep
underground. This method is typically used for deposits that are
too deep or too difficult to mine using surface mining techniques.
Placer Mining A mining technique that involves the extraction of minerals or ores
that are found in alluvial deposits, such as rivers or streams. This
method involves the use of water to separate the valuable minerals
or ores from the surrounding sediment or rock.
In Situ Mining A mining technique that involves the extraction of minerals or ores
without the need for physical excavation. This method typically
involves the use of chemicals or solvents to dissolve the valuable
minerals or ores in place and then pump them to the surface for
processing.
Heap Leaching A process that involves the extraction of minerals or metals from
low-grade ores or waste rock by piling the material into heaps and
then irrigating it with a chemical solution to dissolve the valuable
minerals or metals. The solution is then collected and processed.
Smelting A process that involves the extraction of metals from ores by
heating them to high temperatures and then melting and separating
the metals from the surrounding rock or waste material. This
method is typically used for metals such as copper, lead, and iron.
Froth A process that involves the separation of minerals or ores from
Flotation gangue (unwanted material) by creating a froth on the surface of a
water-based slurry. The froth contains the valuable minerals or
ores, which are then separated from the gangue and collected for
processing.
Solvent A process that involves the extraction of metals from ores or
Extraction solutions using a solvent. This method is typically used for metals
such as copper, nickel, and uranium. The solvent extracts the metal
ions from the ore or solution and is then collected for further
processing.
Carbon-in- A process that involves the extraction of gold from ores by
Leach (CIL) leaching the ore with a cyanide solution, which dissolves the gold
and forms a gold-cyanide complex. The solution is then passed
through activated carbon, which absorbs the gold complex and is
then processed to recover the gold.
Carbon-in- A process similar to CIL that involves the extraction of gold from
Pulp (CIP) ores by leaching the ore with a cyanide solution and then passing
the solution through activated carbon. However, in CIP, the
activated carbon is mixed with the leaching slurry, which improves
the gold recovery.
Ore Formation Definition
Process
Hydrothermal Ores that form from the deposition of minerals from hot, mineral-
rich fluids that circulate through rocks. These fluids are often
associated with igneous intrusions and volcanic activity. As the
fluids cool, minerals precipitate out and form veins or other
deposits. Examples of ores formed by hydrothermal processes
include gold, silver, copper, and lead-zinc ores.
Sedimentary Ores that form from the accumulation and cementation of mineral
grains in sedimentary rocks. These ores typically form in
environments such as riverbeds, lakes, or shallow seas where
sediments settle and accumulate over time. As the sediments are
buried and compacted, minerals precipitate out of the pore fluids
and cement the grains together. Examples of ores formed by
sedimentary processes include iron, bauxite, phosphate, and
uranium ores.
Magmatic Ores that form from the crystallization of minerals from a cooling
magma. These ores are typically associated with large igneous
intrusions such as plutons or batholiths. As the magma cools,
minerals crystallize and settle out, forming ore deposits.
Examples of ores formed by magmatic processes include
chromite and platinum group metal ores.
Metamorphic Ores that form from the alteration of existing minerals in rocks
due to heat, pressure, or the circulation of fluids. This process
typically occurs deep within the Earth's crust and can be
associated with tectonic activity or regional metamorphism. As
the minerals are altered, they may become concentrated and form
ores. Examples of ores formed by metamorphic processes include
iron, copper, and gold ores.
Placer Ores that form from the accumulation of heavy minerals, such as
gold or diamonds, in riverbeds, stream beds, or beach sands.
These minerals are often eroded from existing ore deposits and
transported by water or wind. As the water or wind slows down,
the heavy minerals settle and accumulate in specific areas. Placer
deposits are typically mined using open pit or dredging
techniques.
Residual Ores that form from the weathering and decomposition of existing
rocks and minerals in place. As rocks are weathered and eroded,
certain minerals may become concentrated in the residual soil or
regolith. These ores are typically found in tropical or subtropical
regions where intense weathering and leaching have occurred.
Examples of ores formed by residual processes include bauxite,
laterite, and iron ores
A solid lubricant is a type of lubricant that exists in a solid form and can reduce
friction and wear between two surfaces that are in contact with each other. Solid
lubricants are used in situations where traditional liquid lubricants, such as oils or
greases, are not suitable or effective.
Solid lubricants can be classified into two main categories: dry and wet. Dry
lubricants include materials such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and tungsten
disulfide, which are typically applied as a powder or a thin film. Wet lubricants, on
the other hand, are typically used in combination with a carrier fluid or binder, and
include materials such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and various types of
waxes.
Solid lubricants have several advantages over traditional liquid lubricants,
including their ability to withstand high temperatures, their resistance to oxidation
and corrosion, and their ability to operate in vacuum or other environments where
liquids are not practical. They are commonly used in applications such as high-
temperature bearings, gears, and chains in industrial machinery, as well as in
aerospace and automotive applications.
B - Beaufort number is the scale that is commonly used to describe wind intensity.
The Beaufort scale ranges from 0 to 12 and is based on visual observations of the
effects of wind on the sea surface, land objects, and vegetation. The higher the
Beaufort number, the stronger the wind.
A - Mach number is used to describe the speed of an object in relation to the speed
of sound.
C - Froude number is used to describe the resistance of an object moving through
water.
D - Reynolds number is used to describe the fluid dynamics of a fluid flow, such as
air or water, over an object.
A- More carbon and more thickness is the correct answer. As coal is formed
from the compression and heating of organic matter, such as dead plant
material, the content of carbon increases as more and more of the volatile
components are driven off through the heating process. At the same time,
the thickness of the coal seam can increase as more and more layers of
organic matter are added to the deposit over time. So, the more carbon that
is present in a coal deposit, the more likely it is to be thicker as well.
Subduction zones are areas where two tectonic plates converge, and one plate is
forced underneath the other plate into the Earth's mantle. This process is known
as subduction, and it occurs at convergent plate boundaries where one plate is
usually oceanic crust and the other is either oceanic or continental crust.
As the denser oceanic plate sinks into the mantle, it causes melting of the mantle
rock and the production of magma. This magma can rise to the surface and create
volcanoes, such as the Cascades in the western United States and the Andes in
South America. The subduction process can also cause earthquakes, as the two
plates grind against each other or as the subducting plate fractures under the
pressure of the overlying plate.
Subduction zones are important in the Earth's geologic cycle as they play a role
in the formation of new crust, the recycling of old crust, and the exchange of
material between the Earth's surface and interior. They are also associated with
the formation of mineral deposits, particularly those that contain valuable metals
such as gold, copper, and silver.
Overall, subduction zones are dynamic and complex geologic systems that shape
the Earth's surface and have significant impacts on human societies living near
them.
Why It's
Economic Mined That Mining Why It Formation Ore Element
Significance Way Method Forms Method Mineral
Formed by the
cooling and
crystallization
Open-pit of magma,
mining is precipitation
used for from
large, near- hydrothermal
Used for steel surface fluids, or
production, deposits, precipitation
one of the while from seawater
most widely underground or
used metals in mining is Open-pit groundwater Fe-ores
construction used for mining, in Magmatic, (magnetite,
and deeper underground sedimentary hydrothermal, hematite,
manufacturing deposits mining environments sedimentary pyrite)
Open-pit
mining is
used for
large, near-
surface Formed by the
deposits, cooling and
while crystallization
Widely used in underground of magma or
electrical mining is Open-pit precipitation Cu-ores
wiring, used for mining, from (chalcopyrite,
plumbing, and deeper underground hydrothermal Magmatic, malachite,
construction deposits mining fluids hydrothermal native Cu)
Used for lead- Underground Underground Formed by the Hydrothermal, Pb-ores
acid batteries, mining is mining precipitation sedimentary (sphalerite,
ammunition, used for of galena)
and radiation deeper hydrothermal
shielding deposits fluids or
precipitation
Why It's
Economic Mined That Mining Why It Formation Ore Element
Significance Way Method Forms Method Mineral
from seawater
or
groundwater
in
sedimentary
environments
Open-pit
mining is
used for
large, near-
surface
deposits,
while
underground Formed by the
Used for mining is Open-pit precipitation Precious
jewelry, used for mining, of metals (native
currency, and deeper underground hydrothermal Au and native
investment deposits mining fluids Hydrothermal Ag)
The formation method of Fe-ores is largely dependent on the type of
environment in which they form. Magmatic ores form from the cooling and
crystallization of magma, while hydrothermal and sedimentary ores form from
precipitation from fluids. Fe-ores are often mined using open-pit mining or
underground mining methods, depending on the size and depth of the deposit.
Fe-ores are economically significant because iron is a crucial component of steel,
.which is widely used in construction and manufacturing
The formation of Cu-ores is also dependent on the type of environment in which
they form. Magmatic and hydrothermal ores form from precipitation from fluids
during the cooling and crystallization of magma. Cu-ores are mined using open-
pit mining or underground mining methods, depending on the size and depth of
the deposit. Copper is widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and
.construction, making Cu-ores economically significant
The formation of Pb-ores is similar to that of Fe-ores, with hydrothermal and
sedimentary ores forming from precipitation from fluids. Pb-ores are typically
mined using underground mining methods. Lead is used for lead-acid batteries,
.ammunition, and radiation shielding, making Pb-ores economically significant
The formation of precious metal ores is largely dependent on hydrothermal
activity, with precipitation from fluids being the primary formation method.
Precious metal ores are mined using open-pit or underground mining methods,
depending on the size and depth of the deposit. Precious metals such as gold and
silver are highly valued for their use in jewelry, currency, and investment,
.making precious metal ores economically significant
Placer deposits are formed when minerals, usually heavy metals, are transported
and deposited by flowing water. The minerals settle out of the flowing water due to
their weight and are then concentrated in certain areas. Placer mining involves
extracting these minerals from the sediment using various methods such as
panning, sluicing, and dredging. Placer deposits are economically significant
because they can contain high concentrations of valuable minerals such as gold,
.platinum, and tin
Here is a table explaining the formation and mining methods of placer deposits:
Formation Method Explanation
Transport by flowing Minerals are carried by flowing water and settle out due to
Formation Method Explanation
water their weight
Concentration in Minerals become concentrated in areas where the flowing
certain areas water slows down or changes direction
Mining Method Explanation
Panning Manual separation of minerals from sediment using a pan
Use of a sluice box to separate minerals from sediment using
Sluicing flowing water
Use of a dredge to excavate and process sediment containing
Dredging minerals
Placer deposits can contain high concentrations of valuable
Economic Significance minerals such as gold, platinum, and tin
1. Igneous deposits: These are formed from molten rock, and include
deposits of copper, nickel, platinum, and chromium.
2. Sedimentary deposits: These are formed from weathered and eroded rocks,
and include deposits of coal, oil, gas, and salt.
3. Metamorphic deposits: These are formed from rocks that have been altered
by heat and pressure, and include deposits of marble, slate, and schist.
4. Hydrothermal deposits: These are formed from hot water that circulates
through rocks, and include deposits of gold, silver, copper, and zinc.
5. Volcanic deposits: These are formed from volcanic activity, and include
deposits of sulfur and obsidian.
6. Placer deposits: These are formed from the accumulation of valuable
minerals in river or beach sediments, and include deposits of gold, tin, and
diamonds
Result Cause Definition Process
Groundwater that leaches The process by which
ore minerals from a minerals are
primary deposit and concentrated in a
Concentration of carries them to a weathered portion of a
economic minerals in weathered zone where rock that overlies a Secondary
.a near-surface zone .they are deposited .primary ore deposit enrichment
The physical and
Alteration of mineral chemical breakdown of
composition and the rocks and minerals
breakdown of Exposure to atmospheric exposed to the
minerals into smaller gases, water, and atmosphere and
.particles .temperature changes .hydrosphere Weathering
The process by which
minerals are
Oxidation of sulfide concentrated in a
Concentration of minerals in the primary weathered portion of a
economic minerals in deposit by circulating rock that overlies a Supergene
.a near-surface zone .groundwater .primary ore deposit enrichment