MINERALS IN THE SOCIETY:

HOW MINERAL ORES ARE FOUND,

MINED AND PROCESSED
for EARTH SCIENCE/ Grade 11
Quarter 1 / Week 3

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 FOREWORD

Mining is the process of extracting minerals that are

necessary to maintain the high quality of life we now enjoy in
this modern, high-tech world in which we live. Minerals are
basic and essential raw materials in our daily lives, and are
vital for economic, social, and technological development.

Minerals are used in infrastructures, in agriculture to

improve soil, in technology, and are used in our daily living.

This Self - Learning Kit will serve as a guide to recognize

essential minerals in the society. Through this learning kit,
students will identify important minerals and their importance
to human lives and to surroundings. This will also give
information to learners on the processes on how ore minerals
found, mined, and processed.

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OBJECTIVES

K - Enumerate the different minerals that are important in the

society.
S - Describe how ore minerals are mined and processed; and
A - Cite ways on how to prevent or lessen the environmental
impacts resulting from the exploitation, extraction, and use of
mineral resources.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

 Identify the minerals important to society (S11ESS-Ic-7)

 Describe how ore minerals are found, mined, and

processed for human use (S11ESS-Ic-8)

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I.WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-ACTIVITY: Spot the Minerals!

Directions: Spot ten minerals found in this kitchen. Answer in your

notebook.

Source: https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffb03d276d0002002352/curriculum#curriculum

Answers:
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

Question:
1. How many of those minerals spotted above can be found in
your home too? What are they?

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II. What I NEED TO

KNOW DISCUSSION

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Chances are,
you have already encountered a mineral and even ingested it
without even noticing. Can you guess what mineral that is?

Salt, a mineral from halite, is one of the essential minerals

that we always use at home. It makes food tastier and brings
out the flavor of what you are eating. Can you imagine life
without salt? Picture this. You are like watching television in
black and white. It shows you different landscapes, sceneries,
and objects but the colors are the same -- black and white. Dull
isn't it? Just like in food, if there is no salt added, even if the
presentation is beautiful, the food will still taste bland. That is
how important salt is.

One may not realize it, but minerals are important in our
lives. From morning until one sleep, people interact with
minerals. Minerals are components of materials we use,
buildings we build, and assets we keep. That is how important
minerals are in our everyday life.

Home and Personal Use

Aside from salt, other minerals compose some of the

items and equipment found in our houses. Feldspar is a
component for ceramics, glassware, and pottery. It is also an
ingredient in making soaps. Fluorite is also used in ceramics and
pottery. It is commonly known as a component of toothpaste in
the form of fluoride. Gold, silver, and platinum are made into
pieces of jewelry and other important articles at home. Quartz
is used to produce glass and fiberglass usually used at home.
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Electronics, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing

Numerous minerals are important to infrastructure and

manufacturing. A very good example of this is copper. Copper
serves as an important material in electronics and wiring
because of its conductive properties. Silver is utilized in
electronics for the same reason. Silica is a mineral that
contains silicon, a metalloid that has some properties of metals
such as the ability to conduct electricity. Tungsten and
molybdenum are used widely for the filament in incandescent
bulbs because of their high melting points. Iron ores are used
for stainless steel production. Barium, chromite, cobalt, copper,
molybdenum, and nickel serve as alloys in the production of
other metals. Bauxite is an ore where aluminum is derived. It is
important to produce cement for construction. Copper and lead
are also utilized widely in the construction field. Quartz, in the
form of sand, is also valuable in construction and
manufacturing. Graphite, known in your pencil "lead”, can also
be used in manufacturing.

Economics

Mining of minerals contribute to the gross domestic

product (GDP) of a country. Gold is used as a reserve and
serves as a backup for currencies. The amount of reserves of
gold correlates to inflation. If the central bank of a country
buys gold, the country’s currency is affected because of the
fluctuations in the supply and demand of the currency.

Precious Minerals and Other Uses

Some minerals are used as gemstones. Rubies and sapphires

contain aluminum oxide. Emeralds are from the mineral beryl.
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Quartz is also considered as a semi-precious mineral. Diamond,
a form of carbon, is considered as the most precious mineral. It
is also the hardest mineral (10 on the Mohs Scale). Though
commonly used for jewelry, some uncut diamonds are placed
as additive for metal cutters because of its hardness.
In some cases, minerals are used in the medical field.
Examples of these minerals are barium that is a helpful additive
to medicine in X-rays of the digestive system, and iron which is
used to treat anemia.

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite

chemical composition and a crystal lattice structure. Although
thousands of minerals on earth have been identified, just ten
minerals make up most of the volume of the earth’s crust–
plagioclase, quartz, orthoclase, amphibole, pyroxene, olivine,
calcite, biotite, garnet, and clay.

Quick Facts

Copper and molybdenum mines located in Negros Oriental

contribute to the production of wires, coins, construction
supplies, and automotive parts in the Philippines.

Which city/cities in Negros Oriental are these mines located?

How are these mineral ores processed for human use?

Step 1: Finding Minerals

Geologists study geological formations and then test the

physical and chemical properties of soil and rocks to locate
possible ores and determine their size and concentration.

*A mineral deposit will only be mined if it is profitable.

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Step 2: Mining

Surface Mining. It allows extraction of ores that are close

to the earth’s surface. Overlying rock is blasted, and the rock
that contains the valuable minerals is placed in a truck and
taken to a refinery.
Surface mining includes open-pit mining and mountain
top removal. Other methods of surface mining include strip
mining, placer mining, and dredging.

Underground Mining. It is used to recover ores that are

deeper into the earth’s surface. Miners blast and tunnel into
rock to gain access to the ores. How underground mining is
approached – from above, below, or sideways – depends on
the placement of the ore body, its depth, concentration of ore,
and the strength of the surrounding rock. Underground mining
is very expensive and dangerous. Fresh air and lights must also
be brought into the tunnels for the miners, and accidents are
far too common.

Step 3: Processing

Mineral processing is the process of extracting minerals

from the ores, refining them and preparing these minerals for
use. The primary steps involved in processing minerals include
sampling and analysis, comminution, concentration, and
dewatering.

1. Sampling is a removal of a portion which represents a

whole needed for the analysis of this material.
2. Analysis is important to evaluate the valuable
components in an ore. This includes chemical,
mineralogical, and particle size analysis.
 Chemical analysis uses electric discharge which excites
the elements in the sample to emit a certain spectra
which will reveal the identity of the elements as well as
its concentration.

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  Mineralogical analysis uses heavy liquid testing that
aims to separate the less dense, same density, and
denser materials.
 Coarsely grounded minerals are classified according to
particle size through sieving.

3.Comminution is the process where the valuable

components of the ore are separated through crushing
and grinding. This process begins by crushing the ores
to a particular size and finishes it by grinding the ores
into a powder form.
4. Concentration involves the separation of the
valuable minerals from the raw materials.

 Optical separation is a process used in the

concentration of minerals with distinct contrasting
colors (black and white) seen with the naked eye.
 Gravity separation is a process that uses the density of
minerals as the concentrating agent and performs a
sink and float separation of water and the grounded
minerals.
 Flotation separation is the most widely used method
that makes use of the mineral’s wettability to water or
chemicals.
 Magnetic separation is a process that involves different
degrees of attraction of minerals to magnets.
 Electrostatic separation is a process that separates the
mineral particles based on their electric charges.

5. Dewatering uses the concentrates to convert it to

usable minerals. This involves filtration and
sedimentation of the suspension and drying of the solid
material harvested from this suspension.

Extracting metal from rock is so energy intensive that if you

recycle just 40 aluminum cans, you will save the energy
equivalent of one gallon of gasoline.

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Step 4: Distribution of Valuable Minerals

Some minerals are valuable because they are beautiful.

Minerals like jade, turquoise, diamonds, and emeralds are
gemstones which are cut and polished for jewelry. Other
minerals like coppers, nickel, cobalt, and iron are produced
in large masses for industrial purposes.

After processing, only the mineral is used, and the remaining

of the ore is disposed as waste. This waste, if not handled
and managed properly, can cause serious environmental
problems.

Mining generates a lot of wastes. For example, a mine

obtains 1lb of copper. In the process of obtaining the 1lb,99
lbs. of wastes are removed. Simply put, ore will be one
percent (1%) useful mineral and ninety-nine percent (99%)
waste. Can you imagine how much waste is produced in
mining?

Mining Waste Products and Their Management

Heavy metal wastes can seep through soil making it
poisonous for plants to grow. Water sources can be
contaminated by the acid used in the mining process.
Tailings, a by-product of milling ores, can travel from the
dump ponds into the water source of nearby communities. In
the Philippines, some of these wastes damaged mangroves,
reefs, and impaired agriculture.

It is then crucial that waste products be controlled to prevent

them from making a more pronounced impact in our
environment. There are ways to lessen the wastes and effects
on the environment.

1.Recent improvements in technology enable mining

companies to extract more minerals from the ores with
fewer wastes in production.

2. The mining companies must be able to plan out their

sites from exploration to rehabilitation.
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 3. The mining company must also ensure that they are able
to restore the community that was displaced because of
their activities.

4.Tailings from mines can be zoned in and surrounded by

lands so that plants can avoid erosion of the ponds thus
minimizing the possibility of seepage of the tailings.

5. Mine structures should be designed at par or even

surpassing current rules and regulations set by the
government and international standards.

6. Other mining practices include reforestation, slope

stabilization, maintenance for dump facilities, managing
and monitoring air and water quality, erosion control,
and water conservation.

There are existing laws and regulations for mining in the

Philippines. These laws aim primarily to establish rules and
regulations of mining practices in the country and to attract
foreign investors to explore the potential of minerals in the
country. At the same time, the law also intends to balance
the mining industry, the culture, and the protection of the
environment and waste management of different mining
companies.

The key to making mining sustainable is to implement and to

practice responsible mining. This entails determination from
the mining companies to do their part in abiding the law.
Companies practicing responsible mining assure that from
step one, they are looking forward to the rehabilitation steps
that they will take after their exploitation. Responsible miners
also consider the health, livelihood, and homes of the
communities that will be affected by their ventures. However,
it does not end with the mining companies. The government
and residents must also do their part in ensuring that
responsible mining is implemented.

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 Performance Task

Imagine that there will be a science contest in your

school. If you were to invent something that can be
used in your community, what would it be? Make a
model or replica of your invention.

In your notebook, explain what your invention is,

what minerals will you use, and why will you use
these minerals.

Criteria in Rating:

Product Written explanation

Originality - 10 pts. Content - 10 pts.
Uniqueness - 5 Organization - 5 pts.
pts. Workmanship - 10 pts. Grammar - 5
Total - 25 pts. pts.
Total - 20 pts.

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III. What I Have Learned

EVALUATION/POST TEST

Direction: Choose the best answer. Write your answer in the

notebook.

1.This mineral is used in toothpaste because of its fluoride

content that help prevent tooth decay.
a. gold c. silica
b. feldspar d. fluorite
2. Central banks use this mineral as currency reserves. The
amount of this mineral stored in banks affects the inflation
rate of the currency of a country.
a. Gold c. silver
b. Diamond d. iron
3.Diamonds are used as primary material in cutting tools
because of its .
a. cost c. clarity
b. hardness d. price
4.What property of silica enables it to be a component of
some electronics?
a. It can create glass which is used for fiber optics.
b. It contains sand used for glass making.
c. It has silicon which is a metalloid.
d. It has oxygen which transmits electricity efficiently.
5.What could be the reason why some minerals cost more
than others?
a. They have more uses. c. They are scarce.
b. They are non-renewable. d. They are hard to mine.
6.How do you separate ore minerals from unwanted rocks
near the surface of the earth?
a. magnetic separation c. surface mining
b. flotation d. underground mining

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 7. What method of mining involves digging of tunnels to
extract the ore deposits?
a. magnetic separation c. surface mining
b. flotation d. underground mining
8. It is a type of analysis that uses heavy - liquid testing which
aims to know the less dense, same density, and denser
material from the given samples.
a. comminution c. mineralogical analysis
b. concentration d. chemical analysis
9.Which is NOT true about the process of concentration?
a. It involves the separation of the valuable minerals
from the raw materials.
b. It involves different degrees of attraction of minerals
to magnets
c. It involves flotation separation
d. It involves crushing and grinding
10.The by-product of milling ores that are usually dumped in
a pond or a water reservoir are .
a. acid c. pollutants
b. wastes d. tailings

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REFERENCES

Cabezas. A Comprehensive Foundation of Physical Resources:

Water Pollution and Minerals, Mining and Environmental
Impact. https://eng.libretexts.org

Dawes, Ralph l. and Dawes Cheryl D.. Basics-Minerals. Project:

Geology 101 – Introduction to Physical Geology.
License.,
at:http://commons.wvc.edu/rdawes/G101OCL/Basics/miner
als.html.: CC BY: Attribution,
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/geology/chapter/reading- mineral-
basics/

Hill and McCreary., Chemistry for Changing Times, Metal and Ores,
https;//chem..libretext.orgquipperschool.com

“Minerals in the Society,” Quipper School. last modified July 4,

2016.
https://link.quipper.com/en/organizations/547ffb03d2b76d00
02002352/curriculum#curriculum.

“Uses of minerals in everyday life,” Komatsu Mining Corp.

last modified July 12, 2019.
https://mining.komatsu/blog/details/uses-of-minerals-in-
everyday-life.

“Why do we need minerals?”. Minerals UK.

https://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mineralsyou/whydo.html.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

JOELYZA M. ARCILLA EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

MARCELO K. PALISPIS EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

NILITA L. RAGAY EdD

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent / CID Chief

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS – Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)
CHARISMA A. ERMITA
JIMMA C. PORSUELO
Writers

NOELYN E. SIAPNO
Lay-out Artist

ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
MARY JOYCEN A. ALAM-
ALAM EUFRATES G. ANSOK
JOAN Y. BUBULI
MA. OFELIA BUSCATO
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
DEXTER D. PAIRA
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO
BETA QA TEAM
ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA LIEZEL A. BESAS
DORIN FAYE D. CADAYDAY LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
MERCY G. DAGOY PETER PAUL A. PATRON
RANJEL D. ESTIMAR THOMAS JOGIE U.
MARIA SALOME B. GOMEZ TOLEDO JOAN Y.
JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C. KINAMOT VALENCIA

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to information
and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright and may not be
reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS
Minerals are everywhere. Minerals have various uses in
the society, homes, industry, and even personal use such as
feldspar,
fluorite, gold, and silver. Minerals are also widely used in
construction, electronics and manufacturing like aluminum, barium,
chromite, cobalt, copper, and iron ores.
Ores are special types of rocks or solid materials that contain
minerals.
The two methods of mining or extracting minerals from rocks are
surface mining and underground mining.
Mineral processing is the process of extracting minerals from the
ores, refining them and preparing these minerals for use. The primary
steps involved in processing minerals include sampling and analysis,
comminution, concentration, and dewatering.
Mining is the primary method of mineral extraction and
there are environmental negative impact from it. Multiple ways are
done to lessen these negative impact. And so, the government
implements laws regarding the environmental protection of areas
surrounding mining sites.
Responsible mining is one of the keys in environmental
sustainability.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jimma C. Porsuelo, MAED - General Science

Mrs. Jimma C. Porsuelo obtained her Master of Arts in Education
major in General Science at Central Philippines State University –
San Carlos City (2018) and her BSEd - General Science in Philippine
Normal University-Visayas, Academic Commendation I 2008. Currently,
she is a SHS T-II of JBCMHS – Main Campus handling science and
research subjects. She is also a Junior High School Science teacher
in the same school from SY 2011-2016 where she was a winning
science quiz bee coach for Grade 8 category.

CHARISMA A. ERMITA, finished her Bachelor of Science in

Nursing at Foundation University and finished her Bachelor of
Science in Secondary Education major in Biological Science at
Saint Francis College, Guihulngan City. She is currently
teaching at Jose B. Cardenas Memorial High School Senior
High School Department. She is also the school nurse of Jose
B. Cardenas Memorial High School Senior High School
department.

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