MINERAL

RESOURCES
Important Uses
of Minerals
• Asbestos – used in bicycle seats, tires,
frames, and other auto parts such as
fire brakes and clutches

• Hematite - It is used for the

production of steel bodies such as in
automobiles, because of its iron-rich
content.

Mineral used in technology

• Bauxite – It is composed of
hydrated Aluminum. It is
lightweight, durable, and
inexpensive. Often used for aircraft.

• Quartz - it is used in heat-ray lamps,

prism and spectrographics and
computers.

Mineral used in technology

• Mica - It is fabricated into
electronic parts and equipment.

• Coal – It is considered as the

third largest energy source for the
production electricity.

Mineral used in technology

• Cinnabar - It is a toxic mercury sulfide
commonly used in thermometers,
barometers, and other electrochemical
applications. It has been used as
traditional Chinese medicine for
thousands of years.

• Gypsum - It is used for building

plasters, in cement manufacturing and
agriculture.

Minerals used for health

• Selenite – It is used as medication for
thyroid disease and cancer treatment.

• Mica - It is used to treat liver, kidney,

and skin-related conditions.

Minerals used for medicine

• Bismuth - It is used as a treatment
for stomach ulcers.

• Sulfur - It is used to treat various

skin disorders.

Minerals used for medicine

• Fuller's Earth - It is used to treat
acne and fight wrinkles.

• Calcite - It is used as a treatment

for indigestion, upset stomach,
and as an antacid to relieve
heartburn.

Minerals used for medicine

• Magnetite - It is used for cancer diagnosis,
treatment, and monitoring (magnetite
nanoparticles).

• Kaolinite - It is commonly used for

diarrhea. swelling, and sores inside the
mouth.

Minerals used for medicine

Minerals used in paint
industries
• Halite - It is commonly known as
table salt. Sodium chloride is the
chemical name of halite.

• Quartz - It is used for glass making,

clocks, watches radios and
electronics.

Minerals used in the

kitchen
• Chalcopyrite - It is the principal
source of copper used for
electrical wires, cables, currency,
utensils and a lot more.

Minerals used in the kitchen

• Magnetite - It is used for the
production of steel bodies, as well
as the production of spoons, forks,
and knives, due to its iron-rich
content.

• Bauxite - It is the most common

source of aluminum, which is
used to manufacture tins and cans.

Minerals used in the kitchen

1. Exploration - is the first stage in the mining
cycle, wherein geologists search for areas that
contain mineral resources viable for mining.

Stages of the Mining Process

Three steps of Exploration:
a.) Prospecting
• is the process wherein the land's geology is evaluated for
mineral deposits. This process is done to identify any
geohazards and to check the environmental data,
including the groundwater and other factors that may
cause challenges in the excavation of the minerals.
b.) Drilling
• is the next step in the mining cycle. It involves core
drilling by using a diamond drill to collect core samples
from the area and examine the type and grade of the
minerals in the ground.

c.) Modeling is the process wherein the collected data from

various surveys and combined data from a geologic survey
and physical and chemical testing are used to create a map
to identify the location of the ores with different grades and
concentrations.
2. Development and design - is the process wherein the
site is assessed if can be operated in an environmentally
safe, economically sound, and socially responsible manner.

Stages of the Mining Process

Processes involved in development and design process:

a.) Scoping is done to identify if the scope of the mining

operation should involve only the extraction of the ore or if
it will include the processing of the ore.

b.) Feasibility studies involves identifying the resources

needed to operate the mine and checking if the materials
extracted have potential buyers.

c.) Procurement option of necessary facilities and

equipment includes the materials and facilities need for the
operation of the mine.
3. Construction involves building roads to access the
mining site, processing facilities, environmental
management systems, living quarters for employees, and
other facilities.

4. Production is the stage where the actual extracting of the

minerals from the surface of Earth and processing such as
separating unwanted impurities from the mineral ore occur.

Stages of the Mining Process

5. Closure and reclamation is the process of closing the
mine and returning the land to its original state This is done
to minimize environmental effects brought about by the
extraction of the minerals by removing waste and
hazardous materials, stabilizing the land to avoid erosion,
and establishing new landforms and vegetation to ensure
that the environment will be rehabilitated while meeting
public health and safety standards

Stages of the Mining Process

1. Comminution is a reduction process of ore particles
from large-sized particles to smaller-sized particles
(power form) via crushing, grinding, vibrating, cutting,
or other reducing processes.

2. Dredging is an underwater excavation of placer

deposits through the use of floating equipment to
remove silt and other materials from underneath water
bodies. Dredging systems are classified as mechanical
or hydraulic depending on the material being
transported. It is typically used for mining gold from
sand, gravel, and dirt.

Mining Techniques
3. Dewatering is a process of the removal of superficial
water (any body of water above the ground) and
groundwater from mining sites before excavations to
protect materials and keep a safe workplace. This is usually
done through the use of submersible pumps, atmospheric
engines, or other solid-liquid separation processes.

Mining Techniques